Turkish government divided over lockdown proposals Turkish policymakers are split on whether a lockdown approach is the best way to protect Turkey from coronavirus, with some more fearful of the economic fallout than the potential deaths. Iraq
Gantz made a tough decision. Will he regret it? Blue and White leader Benny Gantz slammed the door on his anti-Netanyahu partners to join a unity government with the Likud, but will he ever occupy the Prime Minister's Office? Israel
Intel: Timeline of CIA contractor Robert Levinson missing for 13 years in Iran The family of Robert Levinson, a CIA contractor who disappeared on Iran’s Kish Island in 2007, confirmed Thursday that the US government informed them that the former FBI agent had died at some point prior to the coronavirus pandemic. United States
US coalition transfers another base to Iraqi security forces The US-led coalition against the Islamic State has announced the transfer of another military base to Iraqi security forces as a temporary precaution against the coronavirus outbreak. Iraq
Foreign Ministry rescues Israelis stranded abroad during pandemic The Israeli Foreign Ministry, after being sidelined for years by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, sees its vital role recognized as diplomats bring back young Israelis stranded abroad during the coronavirus crisis. Israel
As coronavirus spreads to Gaza, Israel can offer little The nightmare scenario of the coronavirus reaching the Gaza Strip has become a reality, with Israel and Palestinians fearing a mega-catastrophe in the most crowded spot on earth. Qatar
Gantz opts for a coronavirus government By candidating for the job of Knesset speaker, Blue and White leader Benny Gantz gave the sign that he is willing to join a Netanyahu-led unity government. Israel
Israel's highest court steps in to force Knesset into action After Knesset speaker Yuli Edelstein defied the Israeli Supreme Court's order to hold a vote for his replacement, the court appointed a temporary speaker to do the job. Israel
Implementation of curfew to fight COVID-19 proves difficult in Iraq Although the Iraqi government has taken strict measures to fight the coronavirus, the security forces face great challenges from curfew violators. Iraq
Jordan’s king waives rent to Jerusalem Waqf property owners King Abdullah II has ordered the waiver of rental payments to all Jerusalemites renting from the Islamic Waqf until the end of the year. Palestine
Egypt to offer investors shares in military-run companies Egypt’s Sovereign Fund is assessing military-run companies in a bid to open them up to domestic and foreign investors. Egypt
Gaza students embrace e-learning to avoid coronavirus COVID-19 has forced schools and universities in the Palestinian territories to shut down, prompting the Gaza Ministry of Education and Higher Education to promote e-learning. Palestine
Egypt releases political prisoners amid coronavirus outbreak The Egyptian authorities released opposition figures from prison amid calls to free activists for fear of a coronavirus outbreak inside prisons. Egypt
Coronavirus forces Lebanese protesters into new posture Anti-government protests have largely subsided in Lebanon due to government measures aimed at containing the spread of the novel coronavirus, but some activists continue to spread the message and are optimistic about the movement's future. Lebanon
Archive Upfront from Mar 26, 2020 Turkey appears to want more than Syria’s oil Like Moscow and Washington, Ankara seems to be coveting the oilfields of Deir ez-Zor in Syrian Kurdistan, which Kurds fear would give Turkey an opening to take over the entire Rojava area. Syria
Intel: Pompeo calls on Syria to release US prisoners amid coronavirus fears Secretary of State Mike Pompeo today urged President Bashar al-Assad to release all “arbitrarily detained” Syrians and US citizens amid fears that the coronavirus pandemic is primed to rapidly take hold and spread throughout the war-torn country. Originals
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