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
Turkish government divided over lockdown proposals Turkish policymakers are split on whether a lockdown approach is the best way to protect Turkey from coronavirus, with some more fearful of the economic fallout than the potential deaths. Iraq
Foreign Ministry rescues Israelis stranded abroad during pandemic The Israeli Foreign Ministry, after being sidelined for years by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, sees its vital role recognized as diplomats bring back young Israelis stranded abroad during the coronavirus crisis. Israel
Gantz opts for a coronavirus government By candidating for the job of Knesset speaker, Blue and White leader Benny Gantz gave the sign that he is willing to join a Netanyahu-led unity government. Israel
Implementation of curfew to fight COVID-19 proves difficult in Iraq Although the Iraqi government has taken strict measures to fight the coronavirus, the security forces face great challenges from curfew violators. Iraq
Jordan’s king waives rent to Jerusalem Waqf property owners King Abdullah II has ordered the waiver of rental payments to all Jerusalemites renting from the Islamic Waqf until the end of the year. Palestine
Gaza students embrace e-learning to avoid coronavirus COVID-19 has forced schools and universities in the Palestinian territories to shut down, prompting the Gaza Ministry of Education and Higher Education to promote e-learning. Palestine
Coronavirus forces Lebanese protesters into new posture Anti-government protests have largely subsided in Lebanon due to government measures aimed at containing the spread of the novel coronavirus, but some activists continue to spread the message and are optimistic about the movement's future. Lebanon
Intel: Pompeo calls on Syria to release US prisoners amid coronavirus fears Secretary of State Mike Pompeo today urged President Bashar al-Assad to release all “arbitrarily detained” Syrians and US citizens amid fears that the coronavirus pandemic is primed to rapidly take hold and spread throughout the war-torn country. Originals
Bahrain claims success with anti-malarial drug used on coronavirus patients Bahrain says that hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malaria drug promoted by US President Donald Trump to treat COVID-19, was successful in treating coronavirus patients. Bahrain
Intel: How the US is relying on Riyadh to reassure global markets In a phone call with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged Saudi Arabia to “rise to the occasion” as the escalating coronavirus crisis and the kingdom’s standoff with Russia continue to hammer global markets. Saudi Arabia
Is Syria unable, or unwilling, to fend off Iran coronavirus contagion? While close links between Damascus and Tehran put the former at great risk of an influx of COVID-19 cases, Syria's reliance on Iran for political and military support may make stemming the spread more difficult. Lebanon
Iranians look to each other, not government, for solidarity amidst COVID-19 Iranians attempt to lift each other's spirits with comedy, online cooking shows and by writing off debts, among other ways. Iran
