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
Lebanon embraces Russia’s refugee initiative for Syria On his visit to Moscow, Lebanon's foreign minister expressed support for a Russian initiative on the return of Syrian refugees, but its implementation is easier said than done. Syria
Iranians ask government officials: #Where_is_your_kid? Public calls for Iranian officials to account for the lifestyles of their children bring focus to the issue of the lack of trust in the political establishment. Iran
Newspaper keeps Italian heritage in Tunisia alive Tunisia once hosted a significant Italian population, including the Finzi family, which founded Il Corriere di Tunisi, an Italian-language newspaper currently being kept afloat almost single-handedly by Silvia Finzi, an adamant defender of tolerance and multiculturalism. Tunisia
Do ancient philosophers have answers to Egypt's current challenges? A group of philosophy professors from the American University in Cairo have been organizing lectures open to the public to make philosophical thought more accessible. Egypt
Gazoz, Turkey's eclectic national drink, recaptures its old fizz Gazoz, a light, fizzy and delicious drink that symbolized the recklessness of Turkish youth in the post-World War II era, is making a comeback. Turkey
US outsources Syria aid to Gulf In an apparent win for the Donald Trump administration, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have agreed to pick up the tab to stabilize Syria. Saudi Arabia
Trump, Democrats face off over Yemen war President Donald Trump is spurning Congress’ bipartisan bid to exert more control over the war in Yemen despite signing key oversight provisions into law. Saudi Arabia
British Museum returns Iraq's looted antiquities In a rare move, the British Museum returned eight antiquities, which had been looted from Iraq in 2003, to the country. The objects will be placed at the Iraq Museum. Iraq
Nablus volunteers clean up city's Roman hippodrome As Palestinian Ministry of Tourism prepares its file on Nablus for the UNESCO World Heritage List, volunteers take revamping of a Roman site into their own hands. Palestine
Comeback actress stirs hornet’s nest on hijab in Egypt Actress Hala Shiha has changed her mind several times about her career and her attire, but her latest announcement has caused an unprecedented backlash. Egypt
Russian, Turkish officials meet, keep low profile on Idlib ideas Moscow and Ankara seem to share some common goals regarding Syria, but don't necessarily agree on how to reach them. Syria
Egypt's feminists laud mass appointment of women as top judges Women have been latecomers to Egypt's judiciary, but they're inching toward key posts in waves. Egypt