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
Russia hoping to outdo Saudis over time in coronavirus-hit oil market Russia opted for an approach based on uncertainty in its decision to leave the OPEC-plus deal, but is it punching above its weight? Saudi Arabia
Coronavirus robs Bethlehem of Easter festivities Easter, along with Chrismas, has been a high point for tourism in Bethlehem, the birthpace of Jesus, but alas, not this year. Palestine
Don't let the music die: Istanbul's nightlife grinds to halt due to COVID-19 Istanbul's taverns and halls close their doors as the residents of the metropolis stay in due to the coronavirus outbreak in Turkey. Turkey
Doctors in northwest Syria brace for ‘devastating’ coronavirus Medical personnel in Syria contacted by Al-Monitor worry that Idlib's crippled health infrastructure will not be able to handle a coronavirus outbreak. Syria
Will Gantz jettison or legitimize Netanyahu's fear mongering? Blue and White leader Benny Gantz must decide whether to keep his promise not to enter a government with indicted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or capitulate to Netanyahu's campaign to delegitimize the Joint Lists duly elected representatives. Israel
How coronavirus outbreak has boosted Palestinian-Israeli cooperation While Palestinian-Israeli cooperation has been revved up to the highest level for some time due to the coronavirus outbreak, some problems persist. Palestine
Netanyahu’s target: to isolate coronavirus, Benny Gantz On the backdrop of internal party disagreements, Blue and White leader Benny Gantz must make a decision on whether to join a Netanyahu unity government. Israel
Iran releases jailed US Navy vet Michael White on medical furlough Iran has released US Navy veteran Michael R. White on medical furlough, the State Department announced today. US President Donald Trump asked Syria for the release of US journalist Austin Tice. United States
Is Turkey ready for social distancing? Turkey’s technological infrastructure is equipped to support the country through the pandemic, but the public lacks awareness of social distancing. Turkey
Israel’s top court weighs coronavirus surveillance technology Israel's High Court has held an emergency hearing on the government's use of cyber technologies to track carriers and suspected carriers of the novel coronavirus. Israel
Will Iran's economy collapse under coronavirus crisis? While the country’s economy will certainly take a massive hit by the ongoing pandemic, Iran has shown resilience toward such crises in the past. Iran
Is Iraq taking necessary measures to prevent COVID-19 spread? Iraqi authorities are taking strict measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Iraq
