Infrastructure

Questions persist as Canal Istanbul construction begins

We have to hope Ankara has developed contingency plans for the potential political, economic, environmental and especially geostrategic consequences of the Canal Istanbul project.

Turkey

Israel seeks to revive long abandoned railway to Gulf

Israel is currently discussing a project to reopen the old Hejaz railway to connect it with Saudi Arabia, though many Egyptians are concerned about its impact on trade through the Suez Canal.

Egypt

Will Tehran be able to withstand 'long overdue' quake?

The recent earthquake in western Iran renews talk of how prepared Tehran is for a big quake, which experts say is long overdue.

Iran

Will Egypt issue a unified public transportation card?

A study is underway, headed by South Korean firms, to assess the Alexandria and Cairo transportation networks in anticipation of the release of a unified public transportation card.

Egypt

Iraqis fear earthquakes, terrorism could lead to dam catastrophe

Although the recent earthquakes did not cause serious damage to Iraq’s dams, specialists are calling for continuous maintenance to ensure they are not demolished in the future, leading to a disaster in Iraq.

Iraq

Egypt unable to find agreement in Renaissance Dam talks

After Egypt declared the technical negotiations with Ethiopia and Sudan regarding the Renaissance Dam as failed, it is now pursuing political and other means to address the crisis instead.

Egypt

Jordan's tale of two cities: The mystery of 'new Amman'

Jordanians have been unsure what to make of the planned city of “new Amman,” with a white elephant being a distinct possibility.

Jordan

Iranian authorities scramble to deal with quake aftermath

Al-Monitor travels to the towns of western Iran, where a 7.3 magnitude earthquake has left at least 452 dead and many more homeless.

Iran

Egypt hopes ban on street ads can give cities face-lift

While the government argues that a new ban on street advertisements will beautify cities, critics fear a negative economic impact.

Egypt

Iranian media blames Ahmadinejad for quake deaths

Iranian Reformist media outlets are pointing the finger at former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for the high death toll from the recent earthquake in the western part of the country.

Iran

Trash situation still stinks as Lebanon leans on 'temporary' landfills

The Lebanese Cabinet has requested a study on the possibility of expanding the Costa Brava and Bourj Hammoud landfills, which were intended to be temporary but filled before their time.

Lebanon

Istanbul’s housing sector in turmoil

The increase in housing prices in Istanbul has fallen below both the inflation rate and the increase in construction costs, signaling serous trouble for a sector that has long been a driving force of the Turkish economy.

Turkey