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 plans to open schools in September amid successes limiting coronavirus spread Thanks in large part to the March closures of schools and universities and the rapid response by the Jordanian government to stem the spread of the coronavirus, Jordan is now cautiously reopening education in the kingdom. By Al-Monitor Staff
Jordan's international airport to reopen in August Jordan has had relatively few COVID-19 cases, but some citizens are upset at the damage to the economy during the pandemic and accompanying restrictions. By Al-Monitor Staff
Coronavirus crisis escalates bickering between Netanyahu, Gantz The coronavirus crisis and the dire economic straits only deepened the rift between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his coalition partner, Alternate Prime Minister and Defense Minister Benny Gantz. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
Will Iranian sea corridor compete with Suez Canal? Iran has announced a sea corridor for commercial exchange with Russia and India as an alternative to the Egyptian Suez Canal, which raises questions about the impact this corridor will have on one of the main national economic resources in Cairo that has been severely affected by the coronavirus pandemic. By Mohammad Hanafi
Oman to allow residents to take international flights Oman's government also announced it would extend a lockdown on the Dhofar and Masirah regions. By Al-Monitor Staff
CENTCOM: No sign of coronavirus in Syria’s IS prisons as riots raise concern Gen. Kenneth “Frank” McKenzie, the top commander of American forces in the Middle East, said today that his command is concerned about recurring uprisings in prisons holding thousands of Islamic State detainees in northeast Syria. By Al-Monitor Staff
The long road to post-COVID economic recovery in the Middle East Indicators show that economic recovery across the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf following the coronavirus pandemic may take longer and more effort than initially thought. By Karen Young In Washington, DC, reporting on regional energy
New UAE budget airline makes its first flight Air Arabia Abu Dhabi flew to Alexandria today and is now offering low-cost flights to Egypt as airlines in the Gulf country show signs of recovery. By Al-Monitor Staff
Israelis take to streets, blame Netanyahu for economic crisis Thousands of Israelis hit the streets over the the weekend in protest of the government’s failure to effectively and quickly address the economic crisis induced by the coronavirus. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
How Tunisia's impoverished southeast remained COVID-19 free While the isolation and lack of resources may have played a part in keeping cases of the coronavirus from appearing, they've also kept the region's economy in a state of crisis. By Sam Kimball
Saudi Arabia announces steep fines for hajj trespassers Fines of 10,000 riyals will be issued to anyone entering the holy sites without a permit. By Al-Monitor Staff
Report: Energy producers in Middle East to earn billions less in oil revenues The International Monetary Fund's prediction that was reported by The Associated Press is the latest negative outlook for Middle Eastern economies. By Al-Monitor Staff