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
Congress clears key hurdle in ending support for war in Yemen In an unprecedented move, the Senate has cleared a key procedural hurdle that paves the way to end US support for the Saudi-led coalition’s intervention in Yemen. Saudi Arabia
Pompeo-Mattis briefing on Yemen to Senate bombs Secretaries of State and Defense, Mike Pompeo and Jim Mattis, urged senators to stay the course on US support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen, but senators said they were inclined to vote for legislation to curtail US support. Saudi Arabia
Lebanese groups work to protect striped hyenas Misconceptions have led to fear of the striped hyena, the national animal of Lebanon, and the shy creature is often illegally hunted despite the key role it plays in the country's ecosystem. Lebanon
Trump administration launches last-ditch effort to halt anti-Saudi bills The Donald Trump administration is briefing the Senate on Riyadh’s murder of Jamal Khashoggi in a last-ditch bid to kill a resolution intended to end US support for the Saudi coalition in Yemen. Saudi Arabia
Clothing drive in Saraqeb revives community spirit A group of young volunteers in Saraqeb organized donations of spare clothing to distribute to internally placed Syrians and others who might be in need during the coming winter. Syria
Congress amps up pressure to free Americans jailed in Egypt House lawmakers are demanding that the Donald Trump administration to take a firmer stance on Cairo’s human rights record. Egypt
When Yara met Fadi: Gazans help couple pick up pieces after Israeli strike "I will wait for you even if it takes 60 years," a young man from Gaza promised his Syrian fiancee before an Israeli airstrike delayed their long-awaited marriage. Palestine
Saudi crown prince on goodwill tour as royal family frets Saudi Arabia's king and crown prince are touring the country and region to drum up support for the heir apparent, whose thuggish behavior has alarmed many in the royal family and abroad. Saudi Arabia
Egypt's oldest festival makes room for women directors The Cairo International Film Festival is putting female directors in the spotlight this year, including adding a section dedicated to their works. Egypt
Is Egypt's handmade carpet industry on brink of extinction? As handmade carpet factories continue to disappear in Egypt, a dedicated weaver toils on as one of three remaining workers in a surviving enterprise, doing the only job he can imagine. Egypt