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
Intel: Why Moscow is dispatching its military to fight coronavirus in Syria, Italy On March 25, the first Russian navy cargo ship transited Turkey’s Bosporus strait en route to Syria. The ship was reportedly carrying three ambulances and a shipping container on its deck — equipment to be used to help fight the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in Syria. Syria
Mossad, Netanyahu’s secret weapon against the coronavirus Israel’s Mossad received instructions to get ventilators and coronavirus test kits from wherever it can, at whatever price and by whatever means. Israel
Coronavirus restrictions leave over 1,000 Algerians stranded in Istanbul’s airport Algeria has closed its borders, leaving over 1,000 Algerians stranded at an Istanbul airport. Turkey
Iran hopes for partial sanctions relief amid epidemic President Hassan Rouhani claims Iranian assets abroad could soon be unfrozen, but US has no plans to lift sanctions. Iran
Turkey and COVID-19: Is another Italy in the making? Experts warn that Turkey may soon face a calamity similar to what befell Italy and Spain if the government fails to take stronger measures to fight the coronavirus. Turkey
Plan to feed Jordanians under curfew sows chaos The Jordanian authorities' effort to distribute bread to citizens brought more confusion and panic than aid. Jordan
How is Gaza dealing with COVID-19? While the UNRWA turned schools in the Gaza Strip into clinics to provide treatment for patients with respiratory diseases, the Ministry of Health is turning schools into quarantine centers where those arriving to the Gaza Strip are kept as a precautionary measure against COVID-19. Palestine
Beirut in the time of coronavirus outbreak Beirut has turned into a ghost city as shops and restaurants that remained open during the civil war closed their doors in implementation of a general mobilization decision issued by the government to limit the spread of the coronavirus. Lebanon
Egypt seeks economic haven from coronavirus threat The Central Bank of Egypt is taking steps to protect the country's economy as it weathers the coronavirus pandemic. Egypt
SDF calls for humanitarian truce in Syria amid coronavirus crisis Following the lead of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces call for a cease-fire in order for all warring parties to combat COVID-19 instead. Syria
Iran expert says corruption 'No. 1 national security threat in Iran' Al-Monitor contributor Bijan Khajehpour discusses impact of coronavirus on Iran’s economy. United States
Turkey tightens restrictions to curb coronavirus outbreak As the death toll from COVID-19 reached 37 and cases spread across the country, Turkey pledged to accelerate diagnostic and treatment methods, while introducing new measures to keep people at home, though it has stopped short of a full lockdown. Turkey
