Oman to issue tourist visas after 8-month suspension Travelers whose trips are organized through hotels or tourism companies can apply for visas. Oman
In New York Jewish communities, similarities to Israel's virus struggle Israeli media are covering the conflict over coronavirus measures in New York's Orthodox Jewish neighborhoods, and the issue bears resemblance to Israel's virus situation. Israel
Israel-Emirates peace: An inside look Crisscrossing Dubai, journalist Ben Caspit says that his four-day visit to the emirate this week reveals the intense potential that lies in the recent outing of Israel’s covert relations with the United Arab Emirates. United Arab Emirates
Syrian opposition fears being left behind again after US election Many leaders of the Syrian opposition prefer Donald Trump, who used military force twice against the Syrian government, over Joe Biden, who served in an administration they believe turned a blind eye to the Iranian presence in Syria and allowed the regime to use chemical weapons. Syria
If Rouhani’s Europe outreach fails, nuclear deal could collapse The Rouhani administration has pinned its hopes on Europe to save the nuclear deal, and the stakes couldn't be higher. United States
US prepares new pressure campaign on Assad The State Department believes it can force political concessions on Damascus, in line with recent recommendations from a congressionally mandated panel of experts. Syria
Could Iraq play a role in easing US-Iran tensions? Iraqi political leaders, alarmed by the escalating proxy war between Iran and the United States taking place in their country, are trying to serve as mediators between the two. Iraq
King Abdullah vows to complete restoration of Church of Holy Sepulchre Jordan’s King Abdullah shocked many when he vowed May 7 to help complete the restoration of the Christians’ most important church in Jerusalem. Palestine
Voters mysteriously added, subtracted for Istanbul election rerun While Ankara lawyers express their disappointment that the government rescinded the results of the Istanbul mayoral election, voters are mysteriously added to and subtracted from the electoral roll for the June 23 do-over, even though the roll is supposed to remain the same as for the March 31 election. Turkey
Iran: UAE sabotage incident should be no excuse for US ‘adventurism’ Iran has dismissed President Donald Trump’s offer to talk on the phone, saying if it was genuine, he would have stuck to the nuclear deal. United States
NGO offers Lebanon taste of lionfish in effort to contain invasive species A Lebanese group is promoting the lionfish, a threat to the Mediterranean Sea ecosystem, as a tasty and profitable fishery. Lebanon
Tunisia on edge as Libya's Hifter advances Tunisian authorities remain tight-lipped on the tumult in neighboring Libya, even as escalating violence impacts the Tunisian border. Libya
Long-expected battle for Idlib may have begun Backed by massive Russian air power, the Syrian regime has launched what may be the start of a long-feared offensive to retake opposition-held northern Hama and Idlib, in which an estimated 3 million inhabitants and civilians displaced from other areas are trapped. Syria
Intel: How Trump's 'maximum pressure' campaign is bringing Iran and Russia closer together Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif's long-planned visit to Moscow today quickly turned into a grievance-sharing session with his counterpart Sergey Lavrov about the Donald Trump administration. Russia
Erdogan could lose more than Istanbul in high-stakes electoral gamble With many Turks outraged over the nullification of Istanbul's election results, the oppression of dissent and violence expected going into the rerun could backfire on the increasingly authoritarian president. Turkey
Is Erdogan’s trust in Trump in the S-400/F-35 standoff misplaced? Turkish government officials believe that if Trump was not hamstrung by Congress and the Pentagon, he and Erdogan would have solved this matter by now. Turkey
