First Purple Hearts issued to US soldiers wounded in Iran missile strike on bases in Iraq The US military issues six Purple Hearts for service members who suffered brain injuries in January and plans to give out 23 more. Iraq
Ilhan Omar signs onto AIPAC letter siding with Trump on Iran After clashing repeatedly with AIPAC, Rep. Ilhan Omar has signed onto one of their key lobby agenda items for this year. Israel
Some Lebanese restaurants reopen with restrictions in place Not all Lebanese restaurants could afford to reopen after the government allowed them to operate at a limited capacity today. Originals
China ramps up COVID-19 diplomacy in Mideast As the Trump administration tries to link the coronavirus to a Chinese laboratory, Beijing is using the pandemic to strengthen ties in the Gulf. Saudi Arabia
Death of Egyptian director whose video mocked Sisi prompts calls for investigation Filmmaker Shady Habash, who was arrested after directing a controversial music video, died at the age of 24 in a Cairo prison. Egypt
Iran to begin opening schools May 16 Iran has begun taking steps to open schools and mosques in low infection rate areas. Iran
Islamic State carries out attacks across Iraq, including near Baghdad The Islamic State hits Iraqi security forces across the country May 2 and 3, including ones relatively close to the capital. Iraq
Netanyahu, Foreign Ministry engaged in international campaign to fight COVID-19 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu participated in the Coronavirus Global Response pledging event and Israel’s Foreign Ministry is also on the front line against the spread of COVID-19. Israel
Israel’s top court weighs Netanyahu-led unity government The High Court of Justice heard arguments Monday over a coalition unity deal that would put an end to a year of political deadlock in Israel. Israel
Turkey grapples with manufacturing downturn, weak demand amid pandemic As demand and manufacturing output dip during the novel coronavirus crisis in Turkey, analysts warn inflation may rise in the coming months. Turkey
Iraq cuts federal budget from KRG, Kurds defy it as political The Iraqi federal government cuts funds used for salaries of Kurdistan Regional Government employees; Kurds describe the move as illegal and politically motivated. Originals
Iran begins reopening mosques despite coronavirus concerns Mosques across 132 "low-risk" cities reopened in Iran under strict guidelines meant to ensure social distancing. Iran
Is Turkish defense industry’s ‘success story’ turning sour? Growing investment in technology development is a promising sign for Turkey’s defense industry, but a series of structural problems that remain unresolved could damage the sector’s prospects. Turkey
Turkey’s gay community fights homophobia alongside COVID-19 Prosecutors have launched a probe into the bar associations that condemned the head of the state-run religious affairs directorate, for claiming homosexuals are spreading the pandemic. Turkey
Can Jordan stop Israeli annexation? The next two months will be politically fraught if the Israeli coalition agreement allows a vote on annexation, but how much can Jordan do? Palestine
Is Egypt trying to provoke Turkey in eastern Mediterranean? Although Egypt has stopped liquefying and exporting liquefied natural gas due to the global collapse of prices as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, it is still expanding its gas production in the eastern Mediterranean. Egypt