In Lebanon, the revolution will be televised Activists began broadcast testing for Assolta4 TV, an online channel dedicated to the ongoing protest movement against worsening living conditions and government mismanagement and corruption. By Hanan Hamdan
Ennahda threatened with more resignations The resignation of prominent member of Ennahda Abdelhamid Jelassi has raised questions about the movement’s unity in Tunisia. By Amel al-Hilali
Egypt suspending all flights amid coronavirus spread As the number of Egypt's COVID-19 cases rise to 150, Cairo says that all flights will be suspended for nearly two weeks and that tourism sites will be thoroughly sanitized. By Al-Monitor Staff
Netanyahu’s habit of spying on his own citizens Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has no qualms about exploiting the coronavirus crisis as a pretext to track phones, violate privacy, refuse to replace the speaker of the Knesset and postpone his own trial. By Akiva Eldar
Reports: US to reposition troops in Iraq After two rocket attacks within a week on American troops in Iraq, the United States is preparing to reposition forces there. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Intel: House Democrats ask whether Israel violating US aid restrictions More than 60 Democratic lawmakers are pushing the Donald Trump administration to clarify whether Israel uses American military equipment to demolish Palestinian homes in the West Bank, hinting that doing so could trigger military aid restrictions under US law. By Bryant Harris In Washington, reporting on Congress
Netanyahu’s chief rival promises 'broad' government 'within a few days' Israel’s president has tapped Blue and White leader Benny Gantz with forming a new government after the third election in less than a year produced no clear winner. By Al-Monitor Staff
Iran asks people to stay home for Nowruz holidays As the coronavirus continues to spread, Iranian officials are asking Iranians to remain in their homes. By Al-Monitor Staff
Syrian opposition split over Russia-Turkey patrols in Idlib The joint military patrols mandated by the Russia-Turkey cease-fire are in effect, sparking protests and dividing the Syrian opposition. By Khaled al-Khateb
Government scrambles to contain coronavirus as Turkish cases triple The Turkish authorities introduced sweeping measures to ensure social distancing in Turkey as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases, while still comparatively low, rose sharply overnight to 18. By Ayla Jean Yackley
Can blockade shield Gaza Strip from epidemic? The Israeli security system is trying to head off a nightmare as the coronavirus menaces the uniquely vulnerable Gaza Strip. By Shlomi Eldar
Ultra-Orthodox leaders ignore coronavirus threat, endanger Israelis Ultra-Orthodox educational institutions continued to operate despite orders by the government to close all schools to try to control the spread of the novel coronavirus. By Danny Zaken In Ma'ale HaHamisha, reporting on Israel
Iraqi anti-IS operations hindered by coalition base attacks Members of the Iraqi counterterrorism forces and the US Marines have been killed during raids against IS hideouts in recent weeks in tough mountain terrain. By Shelly Kittleson
Iraqi deadline passes with no decision on prime minister Iraqi political parties have failed in selecting a new prime minister, amid the rising tension between the United States and the Iran-backed Shiite militias. By Ali Mamouri
Deir ez-Zor residents protest rule by Syrian Kurdish group The Deir ez-Zor military council, affiliated with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), has been firing on protesters and believes they are being fed anti-SDF propaganda by the regime of President Bashar al-Assad. By Khaled al-Khateb
Israel turns to anti-terror technology to counter coronavirus Awaiting Cabinet approval, the Shin Bet plans to implement digital counterterrorism technology to fight the spread of the novel coronavirus. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics