How COVID-19 threatens Istanbul's cultural heritage The novel coronavirus pandemic presents multiple threats to Istanbul's cultural heritage, both decimating tourism and distracting from destructive development projects. Turkey
Coronavirus resurgence hits Iran Iranian officials warn that a resurgence of the novel coronavirus is gripping nearly half of the country as the number of infections climb once again. Iran
Israel’s controversial cyber surveillance gets three-week extension A parliamentary subcommittee approved Israel's use of the phone-tracing technology through May 26. Israel
Alleged Israeli strikes target northern, eastern Syria Iranian militia targets were bombed near Aleppo and in the Deir ez-Zor countryside. Israel
Terrorists in Sinai increase attacks during Ramadan The Egyptian army and security forces have been under attack this Ramadan, as in previous years. Egypt
Gantz-Netanyahu unity deal revised after High Court warning Eager to see their government unity agreement approved by the High Court, Likud and Blue and White announced several changes to their pact. Israel
Iran seems to reconsider military entrenchment in Syria According to Israeli assessments, Iran has begun giving up on its tremendous military investment in Syria. Israel
In Lebanon’s new wave of protests and riots, Tripoli is leading the way Lebanon’s protests have resumed, but more violently, especially in Tripoli, where bank facades were smashed and a protester was killed by the army. Lebanon
Jordan left with struggling economy following lockdown The Jordanian economy has been dealt a heavy blow by the measures imposed to contain the spread of the coronavirus and now that the lockdown has been lifted, the government is looking into ways to get business going again and mitigate the damage. Jordan
Arab mayors in Israel strike against unfair distribution of pandemic funding The heads of Arab Israeli localities are leading a strike in protest of their communities receiving a tiny share of state compensation for losses due to the novel coronavirus. Israel
Intel: J Street launches push to include Palestinian rights in Democratic Party platform The left-leaning lobby group J street endorsed a letter today featuring 32 foreign policy professionals urging the Democratic National Committee to make Palestinian rights part of its 2020 platform. Palestine
Egypt says IS militants killed in Sinai following attack Egypt said Sunday that it killed the IS militants in a gunfight in Sinai following an IS-claimed attack there last week. Egypt
First Purple Hearts issued to US soldiers wounded in Iran missile strike on bases in Iraq The US military issues six Purple Hearts for service members who suffered brain injuries in January and plans to give out 23 more. Iraq
Ilhan Omar signs onto AIPAC letter siding with Trump on Iran After clashing repeatedly with AIPAC, Rep. Ilhan Omar has signed onto one of their key lobby agenda items for this year. Israel
Some Lebanese restaurants reopen with restrictions in place Not all Lebanese restaurants could afford to reopen after the government allowed them to operate at a limited capacity today. Originals
China ramps up COVID-19 diplomacy in Mideast As the Trump administration tries to link the coronavirus to a Chinese laboratory, Beijing is using the pandemic to strengthen ties in the Gulf. Saudi Arabia
