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
Saudi Arabia again easing anti-virus restrictions The Gulf country is still recording more than 2,000 COVID-19 cases per day. By Al-Monitor Staff
Bethlehem, Jerusalem churches reopen to limited number of worshipers The Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Church of the Nativity opened to tourists and worshippers Tuesday for the first time since March. By Al-Monitor Staff
Jordanian government employees return to work Most civil servants had not worked since March due to anti-virus measures. By Al-Monitor Staff
Syrian government lifts nightly curfew despite uptick in coronavirus cases The Syrian Ministry of Health has registered 121 coronavirus cases and a death toll of four in areas under regime control. By Al-Monitor Staff
Iraq registers jump in COVID-19 cases during Eid al-Fitr holiday The Iraqi authorities said there were 163 confirmed coronavirus cases on Monday, which was greater than the number in a single day that prompted lockdowns in Baghdad last week. By Al-Monitor Staff
Iran reopens holy shrines amid easing of coronavirus restrictions Closed since mid-March, the religious sites are opening their doors with social distancing measures in place. By Al-Monitor Staff
Lebanon’s economic crisis is decimating its middle class The middle class in cash-strapped Lebanon is having a hard time making ends meet as salaries have been slashed and banks are imposing informal capital control, all compounded by the coronavirus-induced lockdown measures. By Michal Kranz
Palestinian Authority rejects COVID-19 aid flown from UAE to Israel The Palestinian government said it was not coordinated with regarding the medical supplies. By Al-Monitor Staff
Saudi Arabia quarantines cash to prevent further coronavirus spread Saudi Arabia will isolate coins and banknotes for up to 20 days in sealed containers. By Al-Monitor Staff
Is Turkey on moderation path in its foreign policy? Conciliatory messages coming out of Ankara recently may appear as an effort to moderate Turkish foreign policy vis-a-vis the United States, Europe and Israel, but they are likely to be just maneuvering to weather the many stalemates in Turkey's foreign ties. By Fehim Tastekin In Paris, reporting on Turkish politics
Health care system collapses as COVID-19 races across Yemen As the United Nations appeals for $2 billion in emergency funding for Yemen, aid organizations on the ground warn community transmission of the coronavirus is taking place throughout the war-torn country. By Al-Monitor Staff
More than 10,000 health care workers in Iran infected with coronavirus, official says More than 100 health care workers have died from the virus in Iran, the epicenter of the pandemic in the Middle East. By Al-Monitor Staff