UAE-Syria move ahead on $20 billion real estate mega-developments Major housing and tourism projects in Damascus and Latakia are set to advance following a new agreement with UAE real estate tycoon Mohamed Alabbar. Syria
Lebanon seeks Turkey’s help to join Syria-Saudi rail link: What to know Beirut is seeking Ankara’s support to link its ports to a railway project aiming to link Turkey to the Gulf, through Syria and Jordan. Turkey
What does Amazon war damage mean for Gulf cloud expansion? Amazon’s cloud computing unit said the damage was sustained to its facilities in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, casting doubt over multibillion-dollar investments in the region. Bahrain
US expands Iran campaign with strikes on oil tankers Airstrikes on Iranian oil tankers mark a subtle tactical pivot after months of periodic bombardment targeting IRGC military infrastructure failed to shut down the IRGC’s attacks in Hormuz. Iran
Cairo removes Ottoman name amid Egypt-Turkey strife As tensions escalate between Egypt and Turkey, Cairo governorate has decided to rename Selim I street, named for the "grim" Ottoman sultan who conquered Egypt. Egypt
Securing Sinai airport comes at cost to locals President Sisi’s announcement to build a large safe zone around the El-Arish Airport in order for it to resume operations raised the ire of Sinai residents whose houses and lands would be destroyed in the process. Egypt
More skyscrapers pop up along Israeli skyline Israeli urban designers differ on whether condominium towers are the solution for land shortage or they create new problems, such as disconnect with street life. Israel
Local official's insult to Upper Egypt spurs development plans A comment by Local Development Minister Abu Bakr al-Gendy concerning citizens of the Upper Egypt governorates has shone a light on the area's extreme poverty and highlighted the need to pursue economic development. Egypt
Questions persist as Canal Istanbul construction begins We have to hope Ankara has developed contingency plans for the potential political, economic, environmental and especially geostrategic consequences of the Canal Istanbul project. Turkey
Israel seeks to revive long abandoned railway to Gulf Israel is currently discussing a project to reopen the old Hejaz railway to connect it with Saudi Arabia, though many Egyptians are concerned about its impact on trade through the Suez Canal. Egypt
Will Tehran be able to withstand 'long overdue' quake? The recent earthquake in western Iran renews talk of how prepared Tehran is for a big quake, which experts say is long overdue. Iran
Will Egypt issue a unified public transportation card? A study is underway, headed by South Korean firms, to assess the Alexandria and Cairo transportation networks in anticipation of the release of a unified public transportation card. Egypt
Iraqis fear earthquakes, terrorism could lead to dam catastrophe Although the recent earthquakes did not cause serious damage to Iraq’s dams, specialists are calling for continuous maintenance to ensure they are not demolished in the future, leading to a disaster in Iraq. Iraq
Egypt unable to find agreement in Renaissance Dam talks After Egypt declared the technical negotiations with Ethiopia and Sudan regarding the Renaissance Dam as failed, it is now pursuing political and other means to address the crisis instead. Egypt
Jordan's tale of two cities: The mystery of 'new Amman' Jordanians have been unsure what to make of the planned city of “new Amman,” with a white elephant being a distinct possibility. Jordan
Iranian authorities scramble to deal with quake aftermath Al-Monitor travels to the towns of western Iran, where a 7.3 magnitude earthquake has left at least 452 dead and many more homeless. Iran
