Coronavirus

Souvenir stand in Petra, Jordan.

Gendarmerie operation sparks controversy in Petra, Jordan

Petra’s tribal entrepreneurs react to a security operation carried out inside Jordan’s most-visited UNESCO World Heritage Site with criticism and concern for their livelihoods.

Uman Hasidim

Despite war, thousands of Israeli Hasidim make pilgrimage to Ukraine

Much like the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine won’t stop thousands of Hasidim from reaching the city of Uman and the tomb of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov just before the Jewish New Year.

A picture shows an Emirates Airlines airplane at Dubai International Airport on Feb. 1, 2021.

Middle East airlines to suffer losses again in 2022

The International Air Transport Association said that airlines in the region will fare somewhat better financially due to the return of long-haul flights.

Israeli passengers arrive from Ukraine via the border with Romania on an Israeli Israir flight at Ben Gurion Airport in Lod, near Tel Aviv, Israel, March 1, 2022.

Israel expects post-COVID tourism rebound this summer

Israeli experts do not expect tourism to reach this summer the record level of 2019, but they certainly notice a trend of increase on both outbound and incoming tourism.

Latest News

Egyptian startups reimagine mental health services in Arab-speaking world

A social worker plays an educational game with a homeless child inside one of the mobile units run by the Egyptian authorities and used as part of the "Atfal bala ma'wa" (Children Without a Home) social program, Abbasia district, Cairo, Egypt, June 22, 2020.

Egypt removes all mosque restrictions amid Brotherhood criticism

Muslim worshippers pray on Laylat al-Qadr during the holy month of Ramadan at Al-Azhar Mosque, Cairo, Egypt, April 27, 2022.

Sign up to our Daily Briefing

Keep up with Al-Monitor's top stories with a morning digest from across the region.

World Bank praises Palestinian easing of COVID rules, criticizes Israeli control

Palestine COVID

Egypt hopes Israeli tourists will make up losses from Ukraine war

A picture taken on Sept. 29, 2021, shows Russian tourists in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.

A picture taken on April 20, 2020 shows a 120-bed ward at a specialised hospital for coronavirus cases inaugurated by the Kurdish Red Crescent around 10 kilometres outside the Syrian city of Hasakeh after the first COVID-19 death was reported in the northeastern region.

Northeast Syria's pandemic response in jeopardy as cases rise, charity warns

Amid a spike in coronavirus cases, the region's hospitals are grappling with a major shortage of oxygen and testing supplies.

Ankara's Metropolitan Municipality paid tribute to Ozlem Tureci (L) and Ugur Sahin (R), the German couple of Turkish origin who are behind the BioNTech firm that developed a successful vaccine with US giant Pfizer, as part of a series of graffiti dedicated to the efforts of health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in the City Hospital region of the Turkish capital, Ankara, on April 19, 2021.

Turkey inks deal for 50 million doses of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine

Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca announced the vaccines would begin arriving next month.

An Iranian health worker injects university professor Mahnaz Rasouli-Nejad with a dose of a locally made Iranian COVID-19 vaccine during the second phase of trials in the capital, Tehran, on March 15, 2021.

Iran enters third trial phase of domestic coronavirus vaccine

Iran-made vaccines may be available this summer as cases continue to rise despite lockdown measures.

A person is tested with a COVID-19 PCR exam on April 14, 2021, in Montevideo, Uruguay. After cases surged in the last week, Uruguay has the highest rate of COVID-19 infections per million inhabitants in Latin America, surpassing Brazil and Mexico. The South American country, which has a population of 3.4 million, currently has the highest global rate of new positive cases of coronavirus.

Israel, Saudi Arabia help Uruguay fight COVID-19

Uruguay has some of the highest case and death rates of coronavirus in the world. An Israeli medical team arrived in the South American country today.

An employee of Dilo bar starts cleaning the rooftop terrace bar, which has been closed for 340 days due to coronavirus restrictions, in the Kadikoy district on Feb. 22, 2021 in Istanbul, Turkey.

Turkish health experts, workers call for social support ahead of 17-day Covid lockdown

As Turkey prepares for a 17-day lockdown to stem a surge in COVID-19 cases, health experts and workers’ unions urge more financial support for citizens most impacted by pandemic restrictions.

An employee of Agac Evi Blues Bar locks the bars front door after checking the inside after the venue has been closed for nearly a year due to coronavirus restrictions on February 24, 2021 in Istanbul, Turkey.

Turkey to enter full lockdown after virus surge

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced new restrictions beginning on Thursday, which include the in-person closure of all schools and most businesses.

A truck carrying the first batch of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines arrives at Bab al-Hawa border crossing between Syria and Turkey in Syria's rebel-held northwestern Idlib on April 21, 2021.

Syria's Idlib receives first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines

Provided through the World Health Organization's COVAX program, the 53,800 AstraZeneca doses will go first to health care workers and first responders in the rebel-held territory.

An Egyptian medical worker administers a dose of the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine on the first day of vaccination, Cairo, Egypt, March 4, 2021.

Egypt steps up coronavirus vaccine campaign amid surge in cases

Amid a surge in coronavirus cases, the Egyptian government has stepped up its vaccination push, increasing the number of vaccination centers and the rollout to include workers in labor-intensive sectors.

A sign reads "Social distance 1.5m" next to the pool of a hotel on June 19, 2020, at Lara district in Antalya, a popular holiday resort in southern Turkey. The novel coronavirus pandemic has hit Turkey's tourism industry, the backbone of the country's economy.

Turkey’s tourism sector fears another disastrous year

Apprehension is growing in Turkey that its tourism sector, a vital hard-currency earner, might fail to recuperate in 2021 amid a new peak in the coronavirus pandemic.

Iranians steps on the US, Israeli and British flag during a parade marking Quds Day, Tehran, Iran, May 31, 2019.

Iran cancels Quds Day for second year in a row

The pro-Palestine solidarity event was again canceled as coronavirus cases continue to rise in Iran.

People exercise on a street in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv on April 18, 2021, after authorities announced that face masks for COVID-19 prevention were no longer needed outside.

Israel lifts outdoor mask requirement, acquires more vaccine doses

A majority of Israelis have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Ankara's Metropolitan Municipality has used graffiti to symbolize the work and dedication of health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in the City Hospital region of Ankara on April 19, 2021.

Turkey nearly leading the world in daily COVID-19 cases

Turkish authorities also expanded vaccine eligibility today.