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
Egypt battles COVID-19 amid flood of misinformation, conspiracy theories As Egypt fights the spread of COVID-19, misinformation and conspiracy theories are making it difficult for Egyptians to distinguish fact from fiction. Egypt
Egyptians feel demoralized by empty churches, mosques The decision to suspend collective prayers in mosques and churches was criticized by some Egyptians who feel deprived of spiritual support during hard times. Egypt
Why EU funds to Palestinian NGOs became a victim of misinformation The European Union, which has been under fire by Palestinian organizations for an "anti-terror" clause in its general grant contracts, launched talks with the NGOs to clarify stance and get them to sign pending contracts. Palestine
Saudi leader of Muslim World League: Interfaith partnerships during pandemic ‘religious, moral duty' Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa says, “We try to lead by example, and show that we are all in this together.” Saudi Arabia
Intel: US touts nearly $40 million in coronavirus aid to Middle East The United States today touted nearly $40 million in aid to the Middle East and North Africa as part of a $274 million emergency health and humanitarian assistance package to help afflicted countries deal with the coronavirus pandemic. Yemen
Coronavirus cease-fire offers pause in Yemen war Despite a cease-fire among the parties to Yemen's civil war, the Saudi-led coalition announced it had downed three Houthi drones. Saudi Arabia
Swift government measures will not save jobs, businesses in Tunisia The Tunisian government has announced a series of measures to ease the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak, but some are not optimistic about the benefits for small businesses and the tourism sector. Tunisia
Intel: Trump administration to cut Yemen aid amid potential coronavirus cease-fire The Donald Trump administration is preparing to cut most humanitarian aid to Yemen amid progress on a potential cease-fire between the Saudi-led coalition and the Houthi rebels. Yemen
Iran's art community wades into coronavirus fight The Iranian artistic community is going the extra mile to boost the nation’s morale as it battles through the coronavirus epidemic. Iran
Iran enlists Pakistan for support against sanctions as pandemic spreads Iran’s inability to contain the spread of the coronavirus within its borders is endangering the Middle East region and beyond. Iran
Intel: Republicans dial up pressure on Saudis to end oil price war with Russia Republicans are throwing their weight behind the Donald Trump administration’s push to get Saudi Arabia to end its oil price war with Russia, which has increasingly squeezed American energy companies as the coronavirus runs rampant throughout the United States. Saudi Arabia