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
Pentagon budget leaves uncertain future for Middle East President Donald Trump authorized on Monday the Pentagon’s 2019 budget, which will underwrite big upgrades for US weapons systems and troop numbers but leaves an uncertain future for the Pentagon’s operations in the Middle East. Iraq
Tunisian entrepreneurs roll up sleeves after encouraging startup law Less bureaucracy and more subsidies get Tunisia’s young businessmen to reach out to unorthodox fields such as exporting edible flowers or mushrooms for pharmaceutical use. Tunisia
Can Gaza rebuild its arts haven damaged by Israeli bombing? The Arts and Crafts Village in Gaza City has provided a base for artists for nearly two decades, but after Israel's attack last month, the village needs help rebuilding. Palestine
Russia wary to take sides in Libya as Hifter offers lucrative deals The Libyan National Army led by Khalifa Hifter directly called on the Russian president to interfere into the Libyan conflict militarily to sway victory into Hifter's favor; Moscow, however, is more comfortable with balancing the warring parties by different branches of the Russian government. Libya
Saudi Arabia’s diplomacy has costs Saudi Arabia's diplomatic decisions since King Salman took over the rule of the kingdom in 2015 have caused much controversy, with the bombing of a school bus in Yemen and the row with Canada over a tweet as recent examples. Saudi Arabia
Medieval Turkish village reinvents itself as tech hub In the mid-15th century, Sultan Mehmet II strategically dispatched 300 soldiers across the coast from Lesbos; today, the old Janissary village bids for technological, rather than military, power. Turkey
Home for a day: Palestinian diaspora reconnects with motherland A project run by Ziad Bakri in Palestine aims to reconnect Palestinians in the diaspora with their family's history by visiting the homes their relatives left in 1948. Palestine
Watchdog: Islamic State fighter numbers increase in Syria A top Pentagon watchdog says between 4,000-6,000 Islamic State fighters remain in northeast Syria, far higher than the number cited by the Defense Department. Syria
Mideast migrants face increased discrimination in Italy New Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini is taking steps to stop illegal migration to Italy, but critics say his methods are fueling racism against Middle Eastern foreigners. Libya
Russia eyes refugee return as centerpiece of next policy move in Syria Moscow claims it's making progress in talks with Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey over the return of Syrian refugees; yet getting international organizations and the United States to cooperate on the refugee return and the reconstruction of Syria proves more challenging. Jordan
Tiny fish powers Gaza bodybuilders After a bodybuilder in Gaza City started searching for an affordable protein-rich diet, he found the answer in UNRWA's standard food aid packages. Palestine
Tunisian parties begin premature electoral race In light of the breakthrough achieved by female candidates in Tunisia’s municipal elections, women are hoping the 2019 presidential election will also witness more female participation. Tunisia