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
What made this Iranian TV host lose his job? A young state TV host is fired from his job after he criticized one of the most outspoken cinema critics of Iran. Iran
Hard-liners attack Rouhani over outreach to Europe on JCPOA Iranian hard-liners show no sign of compromise with moderate President Hassan Rouhani, reigniting their attacks on him for his push to maintain the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Iran
US genocide law triggers mixed feelings among Iraqis US President Donald Trump has signed legislation calling for greater support for religious minorities victimized by the Islamic State. Iraq
Syrian writer gives voice to victims of war Betul Abras, who has fled from the Syrian war herself in 2013, has been helping other victims of war to heal for the last five and a half years. Syria
Trump’s pick for top general could expand Mideast advising role The Pentagon’s incoming Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman has a long track record of training foreign military forces. Syria
Flynn business partner, client charged as secret foreign agents for Turkey A US court indicted two associates of President Donald Trump’s first national security adviser amid an investigation into Ankara's secret campaign to obtain the extradition of cleric Fetullah Gulen. Turkey
Erdogan says Trump responded 'positively' to Turkey’s threats on Syria According to Ankara, the US president expressed support both for its stance against US-allied Kurdish militants in Syria and its efforts to extradite Fethullah Gulen as its chief suspect in the 2016 Turkish coup attempt. Syria
'Red Vests' flood Tunisian streets on 8th anniversary of revolution Tunisia's answer to France's Yellow Vest protests, Les Gilets Rouges, is advocating for poor and marginalized Tunisians with economic and social demands. Tunisia
What brings the end of tulip era in Turkey's tourism campaign? Turkey has used a tulip logo in its national branding for nearly two decades, but it signaled that a new symbol may be needed next year. Turkey
Will Egypt kill this popular online game? After the "Blue Whale," some Egyptian parliamentarians want to ban "PUBG," a game that allegedly incited a 16-year-old to kill his teacher. Egypt
Son of deposed shah urges US to back Iran regime change The son of the former shah of Iran urged the US administration to back Iran regime change rather than try to pressure the Iranian government to change its policies abroad and at home. Iran