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
Gaza’s aspiring female artists drop paint brushes for solid jobs Young female artists in Gaza are finding themselves stuck between economic woes and social constraints, leading many to forgo their passion to paint. Palestine
US hopes new sanctions fuel Iran protests The US administration said it hoped that renewed economic sanctions on Iran going into effect Tuesday will spur Iranian protests and pressure the regime to accept Donald Trump’s offer for talks. United States
Culture alert: Music mixed with history in August Some of the August festivals in the Middle East take place in spectacular settings, from Cairo to Byblos to Troy. Egypt
As ringmaster, Russia runs Israel-Iran balancing act in Syria A deal brokered by Russia has something for everyone involved — Syria, Israel, Iran and, of course, Russia itself — and has defused at least temporarily what could have become a deadly showdown between Israel and Iran. Israel
Can songs help to halt female genital mutilation, early marriage in Egypt? In a new project, the UNFPA in Egypt is using popular singers and youth bands to create awareness of gender inequality and family planning. Egypt
US reimposes sanctions as Iran deal crumbles With the Donald Trump administration set to reimpose Iran sanctions after exiting the nuclear deal, it’s looking less and less likely the rest of the world can salvage the accord. United States
US defense bill could impact arms exports to Middle East This year’s US defense authorization bill calls for reforming America’s high-tech exports even as weapons sales to the region boom. Saudi Arabia
Idlib takes center stage at Sochi Syria talks The latest round of Syria talks between Russia, Iran and Turkey held in Russia's Sochi discussed important issues, but deadlocks remain. Syria
Trump makes good on threat to sanction Turkey The US president is sanctioning two top officials in hopes of pressuring Ankara to release a US pastor, with uncertain results. Turkey
Russia, Turkey seek peaceful solutions to 'imminent' Idlib battle Moscow and Ankara are actively working through back channels to ensure a smooth settlement in Syria's Idlib, amid ongoing rumors of an imminent fight between opposition groups and Syrian regime forces. Syria
Did concert in Iranian holy city topple an ayatollah's ban on music? The singer Hesameddin Seraj gave the first concert in many, many years in Mashhad, a city known for its religious heritage, leading to speculation about more concerts to come. Iran
The Sabbath revolution shakes Israeli sports New regulations that condition government funding for sports associations on not holding competitions on the Sabbath threaten to financially destroy entire organizations. Israel