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
Libya at ‘critical juncture’ as foreign sponsors defy arms embargo, UN warns UN acting Libya Envoy Stephanie Williams told the Security Council that foreign powers are fortifying their assets at air bases in the east and west of the war-torn country. Libya
Intel: Syrian Kurds court Moscow to avert potential Turkish attack The Istanbul-based leader of Syria’s opposition interim government has denounced an agreement reached in Moscow over the weekend between the US-backed Syrian Democratic Council and the pro-Russia Popular Will Party. Syria
Owners of Iranian fuel seized by US raise challenge in court The US Justice Department says the companies challenging the fuel seizure are fronts for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Iran
US vetoes UN resolution on foreign terrorists, citing lack of repatriation language The United States said the Security Council resolution did not mention the need to send Islamic fighters to their home countries. US-backed forces detain thousands of them in Syria. Originals
Intel: US returns Baath Party archives to Iraq After 15 years in the United States, millions of government documents from the Saddam Hussein era have returned to Iraq. Iraq
Qatar, UAE battle at the Hague over UN anti-discrimination resolution At the International Court of Justice, Qatar and the UAE are arguing over whether the latter violated the UN resolution when it took various actions against Qatar during the 2017 crisis. Originals
UAE records highest daily COVID-19 cases in two months The jump in coronavirus cases could cause the government to reimpose restrictions and restrict tourism. Originals
Algerians warn EU trade agreement could further decimate economy As the free trade accord goes into effect this weak, Algeria fears the consequences could be devastating. Algeria
Intel: Libya’s Sarraj suspends interior minister, fracturing Tripoli government Fathi Bashagha has requested an investigation into his alleged conduct be televised. Libya
Intel: US plans to reduce troops in Iraq The Pentagon plans to reduce its current troop presence in Iraq by about one-third as President Donald Trump heads for November's vote on his reelection amid a campaign promise to end US military involvement in conflicts abroad. Iraq
Trump talks Israel-UAE deal, Biden’s Middle East record at last night of Republican convention The president slammed his Democratic rival for voting for the 2003 Iraq war, but there's no record Trump opposed the invasion at the time. United States
Egyptian women embrace natural hair in identity revolution Salons and kitchens are hotspots of a change that is sweeping Egypt as women reject European beauty standards and celebrate their hair as it is. Egypt