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
Republicans push to lock in Trump’s shift on Golan Heights After President Donald Trump announced his intention to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, Republicans are pushing a bill that would make it permanent US policy. Israel
How Trump's Golan decision will further frustrate Mideast peace process President Trump's tweet saying the United State should recognize Israel's annexation of the Golan Heights may help Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in April 9 elections, but may set back Trump's peace plan. Israel
Four years on, Yemen war remains Saudi Arabia’s albatross The Saudi-led war on Yemen has alienated the kingdom from the US Congress and media outlets, with potentially dangerous consequences for the long-term future of US-Saudi relations. Saudi Arabia
US singles out ‘mafia’-like groups as key threat to Iraq’s future In exclusive interviews with Al-Monitor at the State Department, two top State Department officials lay out US policy goals as Iraq seeks normalize and balance ties with Iran and its other neighbors while seeking to prevent a return of the Islamic State. Iraq
Pentagon fails to deliver US strategy on Yemen The Pentagon has missed multiple congressional deadlines to report on US goals for the Saudi-led intervention. Yemen
Saudi-Iran conflict threatens to flare in Pakistan Recent Saudi investments in a Pakistani port near the border with Iran are likely to irk Tehran, but Islamabad’s strategic ties to both Tehran and Riyadh make it a prime contender to ease the tensions. Saudi Arabia
How exploitation of Crimea benefits Syria Over Crimea's five years under the Russian rule, the peninsula has been used in a number of ways to support various Russian activities in Syria. Syria
2020 Democrats vow to re-enter Iran nuclear deal Advocacy groups are pushing to rejoin US allies in the JCPOA amid criticism of Trump’s foreign policy record. Congress
Will Egyptian, African filmmakers inch toward co-productions? With Egypt assuming the African Union presidency in 2019, it is looking to increase cooperation with Africa in various fields and the cinema industry is one of them. Egypt
Hospital-acquired infection kills 15 infants in Tunisia Outrage flared in Tunisia when 15 infants died at a state-run hospital after they were given formula later found to contain bacteria. Tunisia
Iran's state TV woos audiences with American-style shows Iranian versions of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" and "America's Got Talent" are now on state TV, but seem to draw more criticism than ratings. Iran
Traditional Palestinian tile craft recedes as demand drops Brightly colored Shami tiles have long defined the vibrant architecture of Palestine and beyond, but cheaper alternatives mean demand has dwindled and the last remaining factory is a much quieter place these days. Palestine