Coronavirus offers Israel opportunity to strengthen ties with Gulf states

Despite recent condemnation by Gulf states of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plans to annex parts of the West Bank this summer, there are signs that Israeli-Gulf ties might benefit from shared concern over COVID-19.

Saudi Arabia

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.

Bahrain

‘Virtual mall’ in Bahrain opens for shoppers on lockdown

The online hub will allows shoppers in Bahrain to purchase from more than 100 brands.

Bahrain

For Gulf, South Asia countries, worst is yet to come

The pandemic is expected to be especially hard on migrant workers in the Mideast and South Asia, as it has left many of them unemployed and struggling to return home to an uncertain future.

Legacy: Gulf

COVID-19 crisis pushes Bahrain to resume flights from Iran after 4-year halt

The tiny Gulf kingdom of Bahrain is bringing hundreds of Shiite pilgrims home from Iran, with which it has no diplomatic ties and normally no direct flights.

Bahrain

Shops reopen in Bahrain as government rolls back restrictions

Bahrain is allowing stores to reopen if they follow social distancing guidelines but theaters and tourist locations remain closed and food delivery and takeout remain the order of the day for restaurants.

Legacy: Gulf

How COVID-19 will change GCC labor markets

A siren is blaring for local labor markets as the global pandemic and falling oil revenues begin to upend the Gulf states' economies.

Saudi Arabia

Bahrain claims success with anti-malarial drug used on coronavirus patients

Bahrain says that hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malaria drug promoted by US President Donald Trump to treat COVID-19, was successful in treating coronavirus patients.

Bahrain

Bahrain pardons hundreds of prisoners as coronavirus fears spread

While authorities have attributed the release to humanitarian reasons, human rights groups link the decision to efforts to contain the outbreak.

Bahrain

Intel: US uses Uighur crisis to sideline China in MidEast

The United States is highlighting China’s mass detention of some one million Muslim Uighurs in concentration camps as part of a bid to reduce Beijing’s diplomatic clout in the Middle East.

Bahrain

Underlying tensions still restrict full GCC reconciliation

While Qatar has been reinvited to the GCC party, the UAE appears to be spoiling for the role of party pooper.

Saudi Arabia

Egyptian, Bahraini leaders exchange praise, strategies

Bahrain's king visited Egypt's president last week to discuss national and regional security efforts, Iranian interventionism and bilateral cooperation.

Bahrain