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. Jordan
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. Israel
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. Gulf
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. Israel
Iraqi Kurdistan reinstates travel ban Daily coronavirus cases are approaching historical highs in the autonomous part of northern Iraq as vaccination efforts proceed at a crawl. News Brief
Russia steps up vaccine diplomacy in Maghreb, North Africa Russia expands its area of influence in the Maghreb as Tunisia and Algeria receive batches of the Russian Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine, raising questions about Moscow's motives. Tunisia
Yemen gets first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines The AstraZeneca doses arrived in Yemen as Doctors Without Borders warned of a dramatic increase in coronavirus cases. Yemen
Palestinian Authority receives more vaccine doses from China The Palestinian territories as a whole have received more than 100,000 coronavirus vaccine doses from a variety of sources so far. Palestine
Israel endorses international plan to vaccinate 7,000 Gaza traders Israel has greenlighted an international operation to vaccinate against the coronavirus 7,000 Palestinian traders from the Gaza Strip who regularly travel through Israel and the West Bank. Israel
Turkey, China assert rapprochement despite Uyghur protests, vaccine delay The Chinese foreign minister’s visit to Turkey reflects the desire of both sides to further develop bilateral ties despite hitches stemming primarily from the widespread public support Uyghurs enjoy in Turkey. Turkey
Turkey to reimpose curfews after new COVID-19 cases double Putting normalization efforts on hold, Turkish officials will reimpose weekend curfews after the rate of new COVID-19 cases doubled in recent weeks. Turkey
Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq receives AstraZeneca vaccine Some countries have suspended the British-Swedish vaccine due to its association with blood clots, though the European Union still recommends its use. The KRG previously received a small amount of Chinese vaccine doses. News Brief
Qatar reimposes several COVID-19 restrictions The government did not say exactly why it ordered the closures and capacity restrictions. Qatar has begun vaccinating people against the coronavirus and daily cases are relatively low, though increasing. Qatar
How are Gulf states allocating COVID-related spending? Gulf states’ borrowings have risen steadily since 2014, raising questions over the allocation of resources as the oil-rich region faces the challenge to build resilient non-oil economies. Gulf
Palestinian Authority ups COVID-19 vaccination drive The PA has begun administering doses obtained through the World Health Organization and plans to receive more soon. Palestine
