Desperate Syrians flee Daraa only to find closed borders

As the Syrian regime's offensive escalates in Daraa, refugees are sleeping out in the open as both Jordan and Israel refuse to open their borders.

Israel

Is Riyadh really pushing for control of Jerusalem holy sites?

Saudi Arabia is boosting its efforts to take over Jordan's administration of Jerusalem's holy sites, and many think the pressure is coming from Saudi efforts to drum up support for the US peace plan for the Mideast.

Saudi Arabia

For Israel, Syrian battles hit too close to home

Israel is facing a complicated situation on its Syrian border as Iran keeps reinforcing its presence in the country, the Syrian army gets closer to Israel and refugees continue to flee the combat zones.

Israel

Jordan’s political elite warn of more protests if reforms are ignored

Jordanians are pinning high hopes on the Omar Razzaz government, but failure to meet expectations could trigger wider public protests.

Jordan

Why Jordan will be key to any Mideast peace deal

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must show that he is committed to maintaining the status quo at Jerusalem’s holy sites as he declared after meeting with Jordan’s King Abdullah II.

Palestine

Does latest Gulf aid to Jordan come with strings?

Analysts wonder whether a Gulf aid package to help Jordan deal with its current economic crisis is in fact an attempt to pressure the kingdom into accepting the Israeli-Palestinian peace plan being developed by the United States.

Gulf

Saudi Arabia bails out Jordan

In light of Jordan's latest protests that toppled the prime minister, Saudi Arabia initiated a summit June 10 where a $2.5 billion five-year aid program was agreed on to help the Hashemite Kingdom regain a position of stability in the region.

Saudi Arabia

Israel squeezes Abu Mazen as West Bank simmers in solidarity with Gaza, Jordan protests

Hamas seeks to seize opening to expand protests to the West Bank; Crest Media announces partnership with North Base Media to manage Al-Monitor.

Palestine

Jordan protests thrill, unnerve Palestinians

The successful protests against an income tax hike in Jordan are a source of both inspiration and worry for Palestinians, who depend on the stability of their friend and neighbor.

Palestine

Jordan’s days of rage force PM to resign

Jordan’s King Abdullah II has accepted the resignation of the prime minister in a bid to appease the Jordanians who have been protesting IMF-backed austerity measures.

Jordan

Trump missing piece in Putin’s Syria plan

The Russian president needs the United States to stabilize Syria, but expects sanctions relief in return.

Israel

Middle Eastern artists give traditional art a modern twist

Bahraini weaving, Palestinian embroidery and Iraqi miniatures are among the traditional art forms being reinvented and adapted by the Middle Eastern artists competing for the fifth edition of the Jameel Prize.

Palestine