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
New Kuwait emir stresses unity in first speech Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah succeeded his late brother Sheikh Sabah to become the new emir of Kuwait on Wednesday. Originals
Intel: First Israeli Iron Dome battery arrives in US A second Iron Dome battery is expected to arrive by the end of the year. Israel
Libya rivals strike tentative pact on prisoner swap, UN says The two warring sides met in Egypt for the latest round of talks aimed at ending the long-running civil war. Libya
UAE begins bid for UN Security Council seat The Gulf country is seeking to become a nonpermanent member of the United Nations body for the 2022-2023 term. Originals
Biden criticizes Turkish role in Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict The Democratic presidential nominee also said Trump should work to de-escalate the war in the Caucus. Turkey has come up in the US presidential race before. Turkey
Trump mum on refugee admissions despite pleas from Congress The administration has drastically reduced the number of refugees resettled annually in the United States. United States
UAE announces first Arab mission to the moon The United Arab Emirates seeks to become the fourth country in the world to land on the lunar surface, its leader announced today. Originals
Human rights group launches two years after death of founder Jamal Khashoggi The Washington Post columnist founded the Democracy for the Arab World Now, or DAWN, in the months before his 2018 murder. Saudi Arabia
Kuwaiti emir dead at 91 Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah has died in a US hospital, according to Kuwaiti state television. Kuwait
Rich families buy second citizenship in post-Ritz Saudi Arabia Political repression following the rise of Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman has pushed some wealthy Saudis to buy second passports. Saudi Arabia
Intel: UN engages with Libya’s electric company amid blackouts, popular unrest The United States pledged support for Libya's electric company amid continued blackouts in Libya, which are fueling popular unrest. Libya
Intel: Menendez opposes resolution to immunize Sudan from terror lawsuits The Trump administration is looking to unilaterally take Sudan off the US terror sponsors' list amid a logjam over the issue in Congress, jeopardizing victims' compensation, in an apparent effort to get Sudan to recognize Israel ahead of the Nov. 3 US election. Israel