Erdogan claims monopoly on goodness, but it might backfire The Turkish government has thwarted opposition efforts to raise funds to help the needy against the coronavirus crisis, a move that could backfire and deepen President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s political woes. Turkey
Turkey pursues Libya campaign despite growing financial woes Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is pressing ahead with his military venture in Libya even as the coronavirus pandemic is putting further strain on Ankara’s cash-strapped coffers. Syria
Will Trump administration provide COVID-19 aid to the Palestinians? The US administration recently announced a global $274 million coronavirus aid package, but the Trump administration is nonetheless doubling down on the fight to eliminate all Palestinian aid. Palestine
Amid coronavirus concerns, some US-funded aid work paused in northeast Syria The United States intends to focus more on stabilizing Deir ez-Zor and Hasakah provinces as it suspends humanitarian operations in northeast Syria due to COVID-19. Syria
Riyadh Agreement at risk of collapse in southern Yemen Tensions flare between Saudi and UAE aligned forces. Saudi Arabia
Coronavirus restrictions expose deficit in Palestinian-Israeli Oslo Accord The coronavirus outbreak exposed a largely unknown deficit in the Oslo Accords: the existence of large areas outside the authority of Palestinian and Israeli powers. Palestine
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. Saudi Arabia
Assyrian new year canceled in Syria amid fear of coronavirus outbreak Syriac and Assyrian authorities suspended New Year festivities and called on people not to gather for celebrations. Syria
2 million jobless as coronavirus batters Turkish economy, opposition leader says Turkey's president is facing pressure from the opposition to impose a nationwide lockdown. Turkey
Intel: Iran sanctions debate highlights fissure between Democratic hawks, progressives The debate over how to respond to President Donald Trump’s sanctions regime against Iran in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic is creating a fissure between the hawkish and the left wings of the Democratic party. United States
Saudi Arabia to pay some private sector salaries amid coronavirus fallout Riyadh has announced it will cover a portion of private sector salaries in the industries most impacted by the novel coronavirus pandemic. Saudi Arabia
Syrian refugees villainized as Turkey faces costs of coronavirus The Turkish government is under fire for being less generous to its own needy citizens hit by the coronavirus crisis than it has been to Syrian refugees, who are said to have cost Ankara more than $40 billion. Turkey
How COVID-19 will change GCC labor markets A siren is blaring for local labor markets as the global pandemic and falling oil revenues begin to upend the Gulf states' economies. Saudi Arabia
Algeria’s protesters say COVID-19 will not kill movement, just transform it Amid the spread of the coronavirus in Algeria, the country’s yearlong popular protest movement had to transform its tactics and launched online campaigns to raise awareness about the novel virus. Algeria
Coronavirus bursts Israeli ultra-Orthodox bubble With the number of coronavirus carriers in the ultra-Orthodox community exploding, it is important for this community to realize that anyone who keeps it from knowledge and information is keeping it from making educated decisions. Israel
Hamas blusters for Israeli coronavirus aid Hamas has neglected the health system of Gaza for years, so its only weapon against the coronavirus is threatening Israel or offering a deal for help. Palestine
