How the pandemic, plummeting oil prices could reshape Middle East

COVID-19 will weaken fragile states, raising risk of failure but creating openings for diplomacy.
A man sprays disinfectant to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), inside Jaramana Palestinian refugee camp in Damascus, Syria April 1, 2020. Picture taken April 1, 2020. REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki - RC29WF9SNKKP
A man sprays disinfectant to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), inside Jaramana Palestinian refugee camp in Damascus, Syria, April 1, 2020. - REUTERS/Omar Sanadiki
am-globe.jpg
Week in Review
@AlMonitor

The COVID-19 virus will hit hardest those states in fragile or conflict situations — Libya, Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Lebanon, the West Bank and Gaza — which, even prior to the pandemic, faced the risk of becoming chronically failing or even failed states. 

A region facing endemic fragility and conflict

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.

Videos

See more