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
Idlib museum throws open doors in defiance of threats The Idlib museum, whose collections rival those in Aleppo and Damascus, reopened last month, despite having lost an unknown number of its treasures to looters. Syria
Are Russia, US back to square one on Syria? Days before the Syrian foreign minister's visit to Moscow, Russia's ambassador to the United States met with US officials to discuss concerns over a possible US retaliatory attack on Syria. The meetings come amid Syrian preparations to retake Idlib and an increase in the Russian and US naval military presence in the Mediterranean. Syria
Pentagon adjusts war games to cope with Iran threat The US military is making changes to its Middle East drills to respond to the Donald Trump administration’s fears of a growing military threat from Iran. Congress
Gaza girls take plunge in male-dominated sport After her father's death by Israeli shelling, a teenager from Gaza decided to realize his dream — having an international swimmer in the family. Palestine
Trump administration releases another $195 million in Egypt aid The Donald Trump administration has issued a national security waiver allowing it to release more military aid despite congressional concerns over Cairo’s human rights record and ties to North Korea. Egypt
Trump turns away from the Palestinians In a departure from past US administrations, the Donald Trump administration in a series of recent steps increasingly appears to be aligning the United States against the Palestinians on key issues in the conflict. Palestine
Turkish millennials seek their own literary heroes Millennials and post-millennials read differently than their elders, as they are faster in skimming, better in sharing and interested in interactive literary works. Turkey
Palestinians mobilize to restore Mosul library in memory of past Iraqi support In a gesture of solidarity to Iraq, Palestine has sent thousands of books to the Mosul library and promises more to come. Palestine
Palestinian aid critics wary of Trump cuts The Donald Trump administration’s sweeping cuts are sparking concern even among Israel advocates. Palestine
UN war crimes report threatens US support for Yemen war A UN report alleging that the anti-Houthi coalition may have carried out war crimes could further erode support for US bomb sales and military support. Saudi Arabia
US scrambles for Syria deal ahead of Idlib offensive The Donald Trump administration is pressing Russia for concessions before Bashar al-Assad’s regime finishes taking back the country. Syria
Saudi Arabia, Iran battle for influence in Pakistan As Iran and Saudi Arabia compete for influence in the Islamic world, Pakistan represents a crucial sphere of influence, but the country's new prime minister has been a critic of the Saudi-led war on Yemen. Saudi Arabia