Artists reflect on age of anxiety in Sharjah A group of contemporary artists explore the ways everyday technologies have altered our collective consciousness and created the age of anxiety, but the exhibit in Sharjah has been postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak. By Naima Morelli In Rome, reporting on Middle East culture
Egyptian lawmaker calls for free COVID-19 tests as Cairo accused of profiteering The Egyptian authorities have come under heavy criticism for charging high fees for the coronavirus tests poor workers need to travel. By Marwa Al-A’sar
Profit, necessity spur trade across conflict lines in north Aleppo The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces and Turkish-backed rebels have reopened trade crossings in northern Aleppo, bringing a sigh of relief to residents. By Dan Wilkofsky
Syrian Kurdish officials setting up court to try foreign IS fighters As European countries have failed to try their nationals from among Islamic State (IS) members detained by Syrian Kurds, Kurdish authorities intend to establish a special court to try them. By Rana al-Ahmde
Don't let the music die: Istanbul's nightlife grinds to halt due to COVID-19 Istanbul's taverns and halls close their doors as the residents of the metropolis stay in due to the coronavirus outbreak in Turkey. By Kenan Behzat Sharpe
Netanyahu, Gantz get closer to reaching unity government Despite an earlier pledge by Israel's Blue and White leader Benny Gantz to not partner in a government with current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, negotiations between the two sides on a unity government are progressing. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
Justice Department ordered Turkish TV station to register as foreign agent The decision came amid an intensifying push by the Donald Trump administration and Congress to get foreign media outlets to register. By Aaron Schaffer
Doctors in northwest Syria brace for ‘devastating’ coronavirus Medical personnel in Syria contacted by Al-Monitor worry that Idlib's crippled health infrastructure will not be able to handle a coronavirus outbreak. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Will Gantz jettison or legitimize Netanyahu's fear mongering? Blue and White leader Benny Gantz must decide whether to keep his promise not to enter a government with indicted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or capitulate to Netanyahu's campaign to delegitimize the Joint Lists duly elected representatives. By Akiva Eldar
How coronavirus outbreak has boosted Palestinian-Israeli cooperation While Palestinian-Israeli cooperation has been revved up to the highest level for some time due to the coronavirus outbreak, some problems persist. By Daoud Kuttab In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics
Netanyahu’s target: to isolate coronavirus, Benny Gantz On the backdrop of internal party disagreements, Blue and White leader Benny Gantz must make a decision on whether to join a Netanyahu unity government. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Iran releases jailed US Navy vet Michael White on medical furlough Iran has released US Navy veteran Michael R. White on medical furlough, the State Department announced today. US President Donald Trump asked Syria for the release of US journalist Austin Tice. By Laura Rozen
Is Turkey ready for social distancing? Turkey’s technological infrastructure is equipped to support the country through the pandemic, but the public lacks awareness of social distancing. By Mustafa Sonmez In Istanbul, reporting on economics
Iran medical council says coronavirus crisis still developing Iranian medical officials warn that COVID-19 could well plague the country for at least another two months. By Al-Monitor Staff
Israel’s top court weighs coronavirus surveillance technology Israel's High Court has held an emergency hearing on the government's use of cyber technologies to track carriers and suspected carriers of the novel coronavirus. By Al-Monitor Staff
Despite stimulus, Turkish economy faces grave coronavirus prognosis Economic analysts shared mixed reactions to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s stimulus package, with some saying it doesn’t go far enough. By Diego Cupolo