Al-Monitor Staff

Al Monitor: The Pulse of the Middle East

Al-Monitor Staff

Iran | Feb 3, 2023

Iran stops taxing foreign currency imports amid liquidity crunch

The Central Bank of Iran has a shortage of foreign currency and the United States is seeking to stop the flow of dollars into the country.

NASER JAFARI/TASNIM NEWS/AFP via Getty Images

Israel | Feb 3, 2023

JPMorgan warns about investment risk in Israel

The major US investment firm is concerned about the government’s judicial reform efforts contributing to domestic volatility.

Jordan | Feb 2, 2023

Jordan's King Abdullah in Washington as Israeli-Palestinian tensions soar

The visit came days after Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited the region and urged both Israelis and Palestinians to de-escalate.

US President Joe Biden meets with King Abdullah II of Jordan.

Gulf | Feb 2, 2023

Saudi Arabia announces vertical farming venture with US AeroFarms

Vertical farming is on the rise in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Gulf | Feb 1, 2023

Signaling US, OPEC+ agrees to keep oil production unchanged

Experts say the decision by Saudi Arabia, Russia and other major oil producers could be motivated by a desire to maintain calm with the United States.

A flame from a Saudi Aramco oil installion known as "Pump 3" is seen in the desert near the oil-rich area of Khouris, 160 kms east of the Saudi capital Riyadh, on June 23, 2008. (Photo credit MARWAN NAAMANI/AFP via Getty Images)

Turkey | Feb 1, 2023

Pro-Iran group claims attack on Turkey's base in northern Iraq

The so-called Bashiqa base, which has long been a source of tension between Ankara and Baghdad, is a frequent target of rocket attacks by pro-Iranian groups in Iraq.

Turkish tanks are positioned in the Turkish military base in Bashiqa, several kilometers outside of Mosul, Iraq.

Turkey | Jan 31, 2023

Middle East corruption rankings: Syria most corrupt, UAE least, Turkey slipped

Corruption remains rampant across the Middle East and North Africa, Transparency International reports, with the region’s average score in combating corruption hitting a new low of 38.

Gulf | Jan 31, 2023

Restaurants in Dubai, Tel Aviv, Amman among top 50 in region

Dubai’s Orfali Bros Bistro is No. 1. on The World's 50 Best Restaurants in the Middle East. It was founded by three Syrian brothers from Aleppo.

A list of the top restaurants in the Middle East and North Africa.

Turkey | Jan 30, 2023

US warns Americans in Turkey of 'imminent terrorist' attacks

The US Embassy in Ankara updated its previous security alert warning its nationals against potential "retaliatory attacks" in response to Quran-burning protests in Europe.