Gendarmerie operation sparks controversy in Petra, Jordan Petra’s tribal entrepreneurs react to a security operation carried out inside Jordan’s most-visited UNESCO World Heritage Site with criticism and concern for their livelihoods. Jordan
Culture Despite war, thousands of Israeli Hasidim make pilgrimage to Ukraine Much like the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine won’t stop thousands of Hasidim from reaching the city of Uman and the tomb of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov just before the Jewish New Year. Israel
Middle East airlines to suffer losses again in 2022 The International Air Transport Association said that airlines in the region will fare somewhat better financially due to the return of long-haul flights. Legacy: Gulf
Israel expects post-COVID tourism rebound this summer Israeli experts do not expect tourism to reach this summer the record level of 2019, but they certainly notice a trend of increase on both outbound and incoming tourism. Israel
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
Iraq’s post-pandemic future depends on breaking Iran’s hold The Trump administration tells Iraq it faces a 'decision point' in choosing America or Iran. Iraq
Government's opacity makes Turkey’s war on COVID-19 harder Keen to minimize the political and economic repercussions of the coronavirus outbreak, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government has pursued a policy of opacity, keeping the public from fully grasping the graveness of the threat. Turkey
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
After Gantz, will Israeli Arabs ever return to the ballot box? Blue and White leader Benny Gantz forming a unity government with Benjamin Netanyahu has deflated the hopes of Arab Israelis of participating in national politics as equals, raising doubts that they will follow the urging of their representatives to take part in future elections. Israel
West Bank camps, disappointed with UNRWA, take initiative to fight coronavirus Palestinians in West Bank refugee camps form emergency committees to battle COVID-19, as some say the UN relief agency is not doing enough. Palestine
COVID-19 expenses upending PA budget formulation As the PA struggles to cope with an ongoing financial crisis, the novel coronavirus is making things worse. Palestine
Old Gazan factory restored to produce protective suits amid pandemic Amid fears of catastrophic consequences in case of a coronavirus outbreak in the besieged Gaza Strip, two Palestinians took the lead and started a factory to produce protective suits. Palestine
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
US issues fresh Iran sanctions targeting IRGC’s ‘web of front companies’ The US Treasury Department places sanctions on more companies, officials and individuals affiliated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Quds Force and Iran-backed militias in Iraq. Iraq
Iran to restrict travel to stop coronavirus Iranian authorities said that starting tomorrow they will restrict travel and implement more restrictive measures to stop the spread of coronavirus. Iran
