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
Iran says it is exporting coronavirus diagnostic kits Iran announced the export of its first batch of domestically produced coronavirus diagnostic tests to Germany, saying it is receiving similar orders from other nations plagued by the pandemic. By Al-Monitor Staff
Qatar Airways to cut jobs The Gulf airline continues to fly to destinations worldwide while other regional carriers have stopped nearly all of their flights. By Al-Monitor Staff
Turkey's relative coronavirus success may turn sour amid looming economic crisis Turkey’s COVID-19 balance sheet: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has had relative success in combat against the outbreak, but a financial collapse could be on the horizon. By Cengiz Candar
Yemen’s Houthis announce first coronavirus case While 21 previous cases had been reported in areas controlled by the internationally recognized government, the real figure in the war-wracked country is likely far higher. By Al-Monitor Staff
Bahrain eases coronavirus restrictions, allowing shops to reopen Beginning Thursday, shops and industrial businesses in the Gulf kingdom can resume business, though some restrictions remain in place. By Al-Monitor Staff
UAE rejects Pakistani claim it is exporting virus The UAE said it tests everyone leaving the country and bars infected individuals from traveling, but Pakistan says up to half of those repatriated on some flights had COVID-19. By Al-Monitor Staff
Lebanon’s lockdown extended amid fears of ‘second wave’ of virus To keep the coronavirus from spreading, a curfew and other restrictions on movement in Lebanon will continue through at least May 24. By Al-Monitor Staff
Islamic State prison riot underscores fragile security in northeast Syria The issue of what to do with Islamic State prisoners in northeast Syria continues to be a nagging problem. By Elizabeth Hagedorn In Washington, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights
Report: Private sectors in UAE, Egyptian, Saudi economies suffer dramatic losses IHS Markit, a global information provider, shows how the private sector has suffered major blows in the UAE, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. By Al-Monitor Staff
Coronavirus resurgence hits Iran Iranian officials warn that a resurgence of the novel coronavirus is gripping nearly half of the country as the number of infections climb once again. By Al-Monitor Staff
Israel’s controversial cyber surveillance gets three-week extension A parliamentary subcommittee approved Israel's use of the phone-tracing technology through May 26. By Al-Monitor Staff
Some Lebanese restaurants reopen with restrictions in place Not all Lebanese restaurants could afford to reopen after the government allowed them to operate at a limited capacity today. By Al-Monitor Staff