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
Egypt's aspiring actors tout talent online Many of Egypt's wannabe stars are showcasing their work on social media, hoping to break into big-time show business. Egypt
Tunisia in limbo after Essebsi ends Ennahda alliance The announcement by Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi of the dissolution of Nidaa Tunis' alliance with Ennahda, ending five years of consensus government in Tunisia, has sparked controversy. Tunisia
Russia pins downed plane on Israel, will add missiles in Syria Russia’s decision to deploy its S-300 air defense systems in Syria is a major step toward dominating Syrian airspace, but to what extent will it affect Israel? Syria
UN warns of famine after Yemen talks sputter In an interview with Al-Monitor, the top UN aid official in Yemen warned that 10 million more people are at risk of starving if fighting in the war-torn country doesn’t stop. Saudi Arabia
Saudi association to provide aid, training to Syrian town The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center partners with Istanbul-based Ihsan to open a youth support center in al-Atarib, west of Aleppo Saudi Arabia
Iran's metal bands inch toward acceptance Metal musicians in Iran have achieved several breakthroughs in the past three years, but they still have a long and uncertain way to go. Iran
Palestinians try to move peace process forward without Trump Palestinians look to the United Nations to move peace process forward, bypassing the Donald Trump administration. Palestine
Intel: Congress wants to sanction Iran’s allies in Iraq. Here’s why the State Department thinks it’s a bad idea. Iraq
Damascene confectioners gain pounds in Beirut The sweet delights of Damascus, from cookies to pistachio-covered ice cream, are now available on Beirut's Hamra street, but not all of Lebanon is nuts about the Syrian offerings. Lebanon
Congress warns of mission creep in Syria Lawmakers ripped into Pentagon officials after the Trump administration suggested it would keep US troops in Syria to counter Iran’s presence in the war-torn country. Syria
Rouhani says US, not Iran isolated at UN Iranian President Hassan Rouhani suggested it was the United States, not Iran that was isolated at the UN over President Donald Trump’s decision to leave the Iran nuclear deal. United States