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
Turkey succumbs to US court summons, readies defense over DC violence The Turkish government hires law firm and gets 55-day extension from a US district court in a case where Erdogan's bodyguards beat protesters two years ago in Washington. Turkey
Intel: How White House efforts to sidestep Congress on Saudi nuclear deal are blowing up The House Oversight Committee spoke with Donald Trump administration whistleblowers and released a report Tuesday detailing the White House’s efforts to give Congress the run-around in its determination to reach a civilian nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
Erdogan denied Syrian opportunity to shore up electoral fortunes The outcome of the Sochi summit suggests that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s prospects of launching a new operation in Syria ahead of the March 31 local elections to win back voters disgruntled over economic woes have greatly diminished. Syria
Is Libya's revolution anniversary cause for celebration? It seems Libyans have nothing to celebrate on the eighth anniversary of its revolution. Libya
Cairo exhibit takes nostalgic look at arts, culture during monarchy Paintings and other objects d’art currently on display in “Features of An Era," an exhibition at the Aisha Fahmy Palace in Cairo, originally decorated royal villas, which were nationalized in the 20th century after the monarchy's overthrow. Egypt
Qatar pledges to keep money pipeline open to Gaza Strip Qatar seems adamant about continuing its financial support to the Gaza Strip, disregarding the Palestinian Authority’s resentment. Qatar
From refuge to recreation, Kurdish hikers rediscover their mountains In the last decade, Iraqi Kurdistan has experienced a boom in mountaineering and hiking groups who weather challenging conditions including land mines and drone strikes to enjoy and reconnect with their mountainous homeland. Iraqi-Kurdistan
New START withdrawal would ease path for bomber sale to Israel Debate over whether to renew the 2009 nuclear treaty with Russia could have implications for US defense ties with Israel. Israel
Moscow keeps calm with Palestinian reconciliation, undermines Trump's 'deal of the century' Palestinian factions failed to reconcile during the Moscow meeting, but Russia didn't come away empty-handed. Palestine
Many calls but little action to stop cultural destruction in Yemen Smuggled Yemeni antiquities continue to find customers in the West, despite international outcry to stop the looting and destruction in Yemen. Yemen