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. By Nicolas Reeves
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. By Israel Hershkovitz
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. By Al-Monitor Staff
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. By Doron Peskin
World Bank praises Palestinian easing of COVID rules, criticizes Israeli control By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Jordan resumes international flights after delays Jordan previously said it would resume regularly scheduled flights in and out of Amman in August. The country's harsh anti-coronavirus measures have been successful but also criticized. By Al-Monitor Staff
Coronavirus-infected Israel, on brink of anarchy As Israel records more than 3,000 new coronavirus cases a day, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s opponents and also his ultra-Orthodox partners gang up against him. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Emirates to resume flights to Amman Beginning Sept. 8, the Dubai-owned carrier will operate daily flights between Dubai and the Jordanian capital. By Al-Monitor Staff
Turkey hit by ‘second peak’ of coronavirus outbreak A jump in COVID-19 cases, led by the capital Ankara, prompts new restrictions on social mobility. Dozens of health care workers have died, former government ministers have contracted the virus and doctors are warning that some cities could face a shortage of beds in intensive care units. By Ayla Jean Yackley
Iran prepares for a third wave of coronavirus outbreak Iranian officials have warned that the country would experience a third wave of coronavirus in the fall. By Al-Monitor Staff
How this law can help Egypt in clinical trials amid COVID-19 crisis The Egyptian parliament approved a bill regulating clinical medical research, in the hope that it would contribute to revitalizing the pharmaceutical industry and bring Egypt into the race of developing a coronavirus vaccine. By Ahmed Gomaa
Iranian tourism drops to 'near-zero levels' due to coronavirus The coronavirus pandemic is choking Iran’s tourism industry as the number of foreign tourists drops to an all-time low, prompting record layoffs and reducing income to near-zero levels. By Sarbas Nazari
Hamas announces deal to end Gaza flare-up with Israel Under the Qatari-brokered agreement, the militants will cease their attacks in return for Israel lifting restrictions at the border. By Al-Monitor Staff
UAE records highest daily COVID-19 cases in two months The jump in coronavirus cases could cause the government to reimpose restrictions and restrict tourism. By Al-Monitor Staff
Flights between Turkey, Iraq suspended another month Flights between the two countries won't resume before Oct. 1 amid reports of rising coronavirus cases. By Al-Monitor Staff
Report: Emirates airline receives $2 billion from Dubai government Emirates has struggled financially as it works to rebuild its flight network. By Al-Monitor Staff
Lebanon's central bank to take over banks that cannot boost capital The central bank is giving Lebanese banks until February to increase their capital by 20% or give their shares to the government amid fears that people's deposits are at risk. By Al-Monitor Staff