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
Intel: US calls on Turkey to release jailed philanthropist Osman Kavala The United States today called on Turkey to release Osman Kavala, a Turkish businessman and philanthropist who has spent 1,000 days in detention despite widespread condemnation from human rights organizations. Originals
Trump loosens rules on armed drone exports amid rivalry with China The new US policy will allow the United States to export armed drones after reinterpreting a 35-nation agreement aimed at limiting the proliferation of rocket-based weapons. Business
16 fined for trespassing on Saudi holy sites ahead of restricted hajj The violators were each fined 10,000 riyals ($2,666), authorities announced. Saudi Arabia
GCC Railway: a train across a fractured Gulf? The repeatedly delayed rail network could boost regional trade and ease mobility. Originals
Turkey untroubled by conflict with Egypt, UAE in Libya Ankara believes a large-scale Egyptian ground operation is highly unlikely in Libya, considering the likely dynamics of power struggles in the skies of Sirte and al-Jufra, between tribes in southern Libya and on air and naval logistical routes between Libya and Turkey. Egypt
Moroccan activist calls for revolution of ideas While female entrepreneurship is steadily increasing in Morocco, cultural barriers stand in the way of women achieving their full economic potential. Morocco
Intel: Russia may be reinforcing Libya’s Sirte ahead of expected offensive The US military has released new aerial surveillance images purporting to show additional Russian military equipment in Libya in the latest sign the Kremlin may be gearing up to help Gen. Khalifa Hifter defend the strategic city of Sirte. Turkey
Iran accuses US fighter aircraft of harassing Iranian airliner over eastern Syria An Iranian broadcaster says an Iran-to-Beirut commercial passenger flight had US jets make an aggressively close pass to it over Syria near the Iraqi border. Syria
Progressives push Democrats to acknowledge West Bank occupation in party platform Democrats made a series of compromises between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel camps in the 2020 party platform, but progressives want to amend it with a reference to the occupation of the West Bank. Palestine
Kuwait eases curfew, allows mosque prayers for Eid al-Adha holiday Many countries in the region are implementing guidelines for the upcoming Muslim religious holiday. Originals
Will Syrian rebels kill each other in Libya's proxy war? Syrian mercenaries from that country's civil war could now meet opposite each other in the Libyan conflict, only this time as Wagner Group mercenaries. Syria
Algeria, Tunisia on sidelines of regional diplomacy over Libya conflict Algeria is concerned about whether Egypt will deploy force in Libya. Egypt