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
Emirates Airlines to resume flights to Cairo, Tunis The Dubai-based airline is continuing to rebuild its flight network after resuming international passenger services in May. Originals
Intel: Democrats try to stymie Trump’s 'secure the oil' mission in Syria Democrats are turning up the heat on President Donald Trump’s “secure the oil” mission in northeast Syria. Originals
The false logic of a China-US choice in the Middle East Framing the discussion of China's role in the Middle East as a zero-sum game of choosing either US or Chinese patronage has only increased Beijing's clout in the region. Originals
Intel: Saudi-led coalition says it intercepted Iranian weapons bound for Yemen The Saudi-led coalition intercepted a boat carrying light weapons of Iranian origin bound for war-wracked Yemen, Saudi and US officials said today. Saudi Arabia
Intel: Trump’s Iran coordinator discusses arms embargo extension with UAE Brian Hook, the US policy coordinator for Iran, visited the United Arab Emirates this weekend as part of a Middle East tour intended to discuss Washington’s efforts to extend the conventional arms embargo on Tehran, which expires in October. Originals
Qatar to further ease coronavirus restrictions Qatar is registering fewer coronavirus cases than in previous weeks, and public spaces, mosques and offices can now start to reopen. Originals
Renaissance painting of Ottoman sultan divides Turkish government, opposition Mehmed the Conqueror is a popular figure among Turks, but the same cannot be said of his 15th century painting. Turkey
Intel: Congress pushes European Union to fully designate Hezbollah as terrorist group A bipartisan group of 30 US lawmakers sent a blanket letter to all European Union member states Thursday asking them to designate the entirety of Lebanon’s militia-cum-political party Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. Lebanon
Intel: Russian mercenaries enter key oil field, Libya oil company says A convoy of Russian mercenaries entered Libya’s Sharara oil field and met with the facility’s security forces yesterday, the country’s National Oil Corporation said. Libya
Individual initiatives breathe life back into Gaza’s old houses Some businessmen and heritage institutions have taken it upon themselves to restore the ancient homes of the Gaza Strip, some dating back hundreds of years, amid limited government funding and external support to preserve Gaza’s heritage. Palestine
Oman weighs costs of bailout from Gulf neighbors Gulf countries might step up to keep Oman’s public finances afloat, but experts warn strings may be attached. Saudi Arabia
Gender dysphoria during war: A transgender Yemeni man speaks out After fleeing Yemen to escape the civil war, Yahyia al-Zandani, a 23-year-old Yemeni transgender male, has faced challenges due to prejudices from family and society. Yemen