Archives for February, 2020

Coronavirus gives kiss of death to Iran’s tourism industry before Nowruz

A coronavirus outbreak in Iran is hitting the country’s already battered tourism industry, and the timing couldn’t be worse as many would normally travel for the Persian New Year.

Iran

Turkish losses rise in dangerous escalation over Syria's Idlib

Reports came in of massive losses among Turkish troops as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan continued his hawkish posturing toward the Syrian regime.

Syria

Netanyahu’s smear campaign leaves Gantz muddied

Vicious rumors and fake news have succeeded in smearing the Blue and White’s leadership and helping the Likud draw even in the polls.

Israel

US threatens to stop Yemen aid if Houthis don’t cooperate

USAID has informed Houthis rebels in Yemen that it will halt humanitarian aid deliveries to areas the rebels control if they continue to interfere in the distribution of assistance.

Yemen

Tehran Friday prayers fall victim to coronavirus

Iranian officials have ordered the cancellation of major events and gatherings and closed universities in an attempt to halt the spread of the coronavirus.

Iran

Intel: Tunisia's new government wins vote of confidence from legislators

Tunisia’s parliament approved Prime Minister-designate Elyes Fakhfakh’s new coalition government early Thursday.

Libya

Turkish-backed Syrian opposition forces claim gains in Idlib

The Syrian military has launched a new ground offensive in south Idlib to take control of the key M4 highway and says it is making major gains against the opposition.

Syria

Israel offers new incentives to Gazans

As part of the truce agreements Israel reached with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, 2,000 merchants from the Strip will obtain permits to work in Israel, which will have a positive impact on the Gazan economy.

Palestine

Israel 2020: unconventional love

In a multicultural, multi-ethnic state like Israel, there are all kinds of "mixed couples," who overcome prejudice together.

Israel

US blacklists new leader of Iran-backed Iraqi militia

The successor of Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis as leader of the Iran-backed Iraqi militia Kataib Hezbollah has been designated as a global terrorist by the United States.

Iraq

The Takeaway: February 26, 2020

Coronavirus deepens Iran’s confidence crisis; Ethiopia bails on US-brokered meeting with Egypt; Israeli opposition uses Erdogan video in campaign attack ad against Bibi; and more!

Originals

Russia explores way to draw UAE, Saudi Arabia to its Syria policies

As relations with Turkey stall, Moscow seeks ways to engage with the Saudis and Emiratis to have them back in the Syrian game.

Saudi Arabia

Pentagon dismisses Syria re-engagement amid Idlib showdown

The US administration shot down the idea that it will send troops back into Syria amid assurances from the secretary of state that the United States is "working" with Turkey on the "complicated" situation.

Syria

Erdogan renews threat to hit Syrian troops to stop advance in Idlib

The Turkish president has again warned Syria it has until the end of this month to halt its Russia-backed offensive against opposition forces that has pushed nearly a million people to the Turkish border.

Syria

Israeli Arabs resist Netanyahu's last-minute campaign

For Israeli Arabs, last-minute efforts by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to visit their towns and villages just before the March 2 elections are simply a pointless insult.

Israel

Iran accuses enemies of coronavirus scaremongering

Tehran is tossing around accusations of fomenting panic over the coronavirus epidemic as the country's biggest holiday approaches.

Iran