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
Amid famine, anger at Khashoggi murder, will Saudis be pressed to end Yemen war? UN warnings of unprecedented famine in Yemen, combined with US disgust at Saudi Arabia’s killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, could spur Congress to pressure the Donald Trump administration to force an end to the Saudi-led war. Saudi Arabia
Congress calls out Pompeo over Egypt aid waiver Democratic senators warned Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that a recent US waiver to allow military aid to Egypt could be seen as an “endorsement” of human rights abuses. Egypt
How an archaeologist saved Turkey's 'cotton castle' from careless tourism Francesco D'Andria, the Italian archaeologist who led the excavations of Turkey's ancient Hierapolis/Pamukkale for 15 years, has recently retired and leaves behind a legacy of defending antiquities from reckless tourism. Turkey
Democratic midterm win threatens to constrain Trump’s Middle East policies Democrats' victory in the House could impact US policy on Iran, Syria and Yemen. Saudi Arabia
MBS chats with Erdogan as Khashoggi leaks flow Turkey's president reportedly shared a phone call with the Saudi crown prince as information about the murder of a journalist in Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul continues to trickle into the press. Saudi Arabia
Will Iran drive its musicians off the streets? The Iranian authorities are considering to permits for street performers, but musicians say it goes against the very spontaneous nature of their work. Iran
Ankara seeks stable ties with Riyadh but demands answers on Khashoggi murder President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wants those arrested in Saudi Arabia over the murder of prominent Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi to be tried in Turkey. Saudi Arabia
Netanyahu losing his diplomatic ‘magic touch’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, master of international diplomacy, seems to be losing his magic touch: Ties with Jordan and Russia are shaky, the alliance with Saudi Arabia draws criticism and the Trump team might present its peace plan at any moment. Palestine
Trump slams Saudi Khashoggi plot, US announces visa sanctions US President Donald Trump heaped scorn on ally Saudi Arabia, saying the operation that killed journalist Jamal Khashoggi was “very bad” and the cover-up in weeks afterward was the “worst … ever.” Saudi Arabia
Russia eyes opportunities with new Iraqi decision-makers As Iraq welcomes its new parliament members and office-holders, Moscow looks to beef up bilateral cooperation in different areas with Baghdad. Iraq
Middle East pins Oscar hopes on young directors From Lebanon to Egypt to Tunisia, regional countries' Academy Awards nominees for best foreign language film are mostly the works of young directors and center on the lives of young adults and children. Egypt