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
Yogurt: The Turks' other delight Home-made yogurt, the common denominator in the varied Turkish cuisine, is making a comeback thanks to today's health food trends. Turkey
House Democrats skeptical of Trump’s Golan Heights shake up Republicans want to codify President Donald Trump’s recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights into law, but even the staunchest pro-Israel Democrats have reservations. Israel
Netflix shakes up Egyptian film, TV industry A year after "The Secret of Nile" became the first Egyptian series on Netflix, more Egyptian productions are finding their way to the streaming service. Egypt
Interview Qatar says divisions within GCC have become ‘lose-lose’ situation for the region Qatari spokesperson says the split among the Gulf states compromises the security of the region and that thousands of families are already paying a price.
AIPAC waters down anti-BDS push on Capitol Hill amid Democratic row With Democrats controlling the House, AIPAC is diluting its congressional push for anti-boycott legislation. Palestine
Pentagon sustains budget for arming local anti-IS forces amid US pullout The Donald Trump administration's envoy for Syria issues said the United States is keeping “very limited” numbers of troops in the country as the Pentagon continues to build up the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Syria
Russian businesses wary of Syria reconstruction investments Russia faces many barriers in its bid to invest in Syria's reconstruction, including excessive Syrian bureaucracy. Syria
Russia weighs in on Trump’s Golan Heights decision The US decision to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights makes Moscow consider its own balance sheet on the issue. Israel
Independent film festival builds home for Palestinian cinema in Haifa In Israel's Haifa, an independent film festival showcases Palestinian and Middle Eastern films in an effort to create a local artistic hub and reconnect the coastal city's Palestinian community to the rest of the Arab world. Palestine
US, announcing new sanctions, says it hopes Iran comes 'back to negotiating table' New sanctions on Iranians who have engaged in sensitive defense research are intended to make those individuals “radioactive,” according to a senior US administration official. United States
Algerians keep up mass protests for fifth consecutive week Over the past week, many within the Algerian government have switched over to the side the protesters, but it's unclear how welcome they will be this late in the game. Algeria
Association helps Cairo's 'garbage people' make a clean living The residents of Manshiyat Naser, a slum area on the outskirts of Cairo, have been collecting garbage for decades but now, they learn to recycle it as well. Egypt