Middle East crises loom in background as NATO leaders gather in Washington While this year's summit is expected to focus largely on the ongoing war in Ukraine, Iran's military support for Russia and Turkey's strategic balancing act with Moscow are expected to weigh on NATO leaders gathered in Washington. Washington Pulse
US, Israel hold second virtual meeting on Rafah Biden administration officials have denied offering to green-light an Israeli invasion of Rafah if Israel holds off on retaliating against Iran. Washington Pulse
One year on Sudan’s war: 14,700 killed, 8.6M displaced, 4.9M face starvation As the war in Sudan enters its second year, the humanitarian situation is worsening by the day with no prospects of an imminent end of the hostilities. North Africa Pulse
State Department staffer resigns over Biden's handling of Gaza Annelle Sheline is the second State Department official to publicly resign since Oct. 7, citing the erosion of US credibility on human rights in the Middle East as a result of the war. Washington Pulse
Iraqi Kurdish fighters dealt setback in Pentagon budget The Pentagon is set to slash salaries for the Iraqi peshmerga in its new budget. Iraq
Women lead the way in Sinai hike A new hiking initiative in Egypt's Sinai governorate, where hikes are led by local Bedouin women, creates new opportunities and showcases compelling narratives. Egypt
Eastern Ghouta newcomers sweeten Aleppo countryside Familiar sweets with an eastern Ghouta flair are bringing novelty to street food in the Aleppo countryside. Syria
Cairo sewer covers reveal city’s history Salma Nassar's photos of sewer covers shed a light on Cairo's urbanization and political symbols over the years. Egypt
New app connects food donors to charities in Egypt The Tekeya app, which enables hotels, restaurants and markets in Egypt to donate or sell their surplus food, could help charities develop sustainable supplies of meals to the poor. Egypt
Key senator looks to block Apache sale to Egypt over injured American Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., is calling for the State Department to hold a billion-dollar US helicopter sale to Egypt until Cairo pays for the medical bills of an American wounded in a 2015 attack. Egypt
Intel: How Trump administration is using loophole to transfer nuclear technology to Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia
Putin, Aoun discuss Syrian refugee crisis, regional issues President Putin and President Aoun hold wide-ranging talks, including about the return of refugees to Syria, and Lebanon indicates that despite its issues with Washington, strong US-Lebanese government ties are going to continue. Lebanon
Border wall fight could jeopardize funding for US bases in the Middle East The fight over funding for President Donald Trump’s proposed border wall could impact key US bases in the Middle East. United Arab Emirates
Four-legged victims of war find peace in Jordan Forty animals from Rafah Zoo in the Gaza Strip, considered the worst zoo in the world, will join at the end of the month other rescue animals at Jordan's wildlife center aptly called New Hope. Palestine
Algerian protesters reject military's gambit to maintain power Algeria's army chief has called on President Abdelaziz Bouteflika to be declared unfit, paving the way for a caretaker president. But protesters argue the military must hand power to the people. Algeria
Nervous Riyadh anxious about Algiers The Saudi Kingdom watches cautiously as Algerian protesters bring back the 2019 version of the Arab Spring to demand an open political system. Saudi Arabia