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
Russia, Turkey, Iran discuss Syria amid simmering disagreements Putin, Erodgan and Rouhani meet to discuss Syria's future for the first time since Trump announced the United States would withdraw troops from Syria. Syria
Palestinian farmers check out seeds from West Bank library Vivien Sansour discovered the need to protect Palestinian seeds while looking for red carrots six years ago and opened a seed library in Beit Sahour; the library will soon move its permanent headquarters to Battir. Palestine
Algeria gambles on old captain to chart new waters The announcement that Algeria’s ailing President Abdelaziz Bouteflika is running for a fifth term in the country’s elections raised questions about Algerians’ readiness to endorse the man who has played a prominent role in ending the civil war. Algeria
House votes to end US role in Yemen war despite Trump veto threat The House voted Wednesday to end US support for the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen. Saudi Arabia
Trump allies hijack Warsaw summit with calls for Iran war, regime change Giuliani's meeting with Iranian opposition group and Israeli prime minister's tweet about war with Iran gets conference on promoting peace in the Middle East off to problematic start. Yemen
Tunisian man jailed for reporting rape highlights LGBT struggles After reporting his rape this past January, a Tunisian man was jailed and sentenced to six months in prison, sparking anger in the LGBT community. Tunisia
Trump blows off congressionally mandated Yemen certification The Donald Trump administration does not plan to provide Congress with a certification allowing US involvement in Yemen, barring the Pentagon from providing refueling again. Saudi Arabia
Intel: How an Air Force vet’s indictment reveals US vulnerability to Iranian cyber-espionage Originals
Saudi crown prince looks to Asia trip to boost image Facing fallout in the West over the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman hopes his upcoming trip to Asia will project an image of business as usual. Saudi Arabia
Khashoggi fiancee grieves slain journalist, demands justice in new book Turkish researcher Hatice Cengiz has released a memoir of her relationship with the murdered Saudi journalist and says she hopes it will keep up public pressure to punish those responsible for his death. Saudi Arabia
Turkish town gets a splash of color with local black rose Turkey's southeastern town of Halfeti claims to be the home of a rare black rose grown only on the riverbeds of the Euphrates River. Turkey
Gingrich considered registering as a lobbyist for Iran regime change The former House speaker sought advice late last year on whether to register as a foreign agent for the Iranian opposition. United States