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
Israel, Palestinians cooperate over coronavirus When the crisis surrounding the coronavirus is finally over, Israelis and Palestinians alike will realize that it is possible to do things differently and cooperate in various areas. Palestine
Jordan announces lockdown in effort to contain coronavirus Jordan’s King Abdullah approved the activation of Defense Law No. 13 as part of efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus, but some officials fear the measure will deeply impact the kingdom’s fragile economy. Jordan
Coronavirus spurs regional humanitarian outreach to Iran The UAE, Kuwait and Qatar provide help to Coronavirus-stricken Iran, while there is talk that the United States could ease the way for aid to Iran while Iran released American prisoners who could be prime COVID-19 targets. United Arab Emirates
Israel seals borders to foreigners in latest coronavirus measure Israel announced it would close its borders to noncitizens to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Palestine
Intel: Bernie Sanders uses coronavirus crisis to push for Iran sanctions relief Presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., called on the Donald Trump administration to ease its Iran sanctions regime as Tehran struggles to cope with the coronavirus pandemic. United States
Egypt’s censors shift into high gear over coronavirus coverage Press censorship in Egypt has most recently hit The Guardian and The New York Times following what it claims are "false rumors" of the coronavirus crisis in the country. Egypt
Algeria cites coronavirus amid ban on anti-government protests Algeria's president called for measures that would prioritize citizens' health but restrict their freedoms. Algeria
How Netanyahu is turning Israel into a banana republic Once the coronavirus crisis is over, Israelis will discover what Arab Knesset members warned a long time ago: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "stole" their democracy. Israel
Coronavirus, not Iran, Netanyahu’s biggest test Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has focused his political career on battling the Iranian nuke program as the biggest threat to Israel, but his legacy ultimately hinges on the way he confronts the current coronavirus outbreak. Israel
Egyptians split over how to deal with COVID-19 in overcrowded prisons Egyptian rights groups are calling for the release of prisoners to avoid the spread of COVID-19 in prisons. Egypt
Turkey bringing home citizens stranded in Europe amid coronavirus lockdowns Turkey will quarantine its citizens who return home after travel abroad. Turkey
From cannabis to cologne, Turks flaunt their ‘cures’ to coronavirus As the number of coronavirus cases quadruples in Turkey, columnists and health gurus return to tradition: soup and cologne. Turkey
