Explainer Saudi Arabia, Turkey advance plans to revive historic Hejaz Railway Turkish and Saudi officials signed agreements as part of a Turkish push to revive the Hejaz Railway linking Turkey to the Gulf through Syria, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Turkey
Culture 10 MENA teams at 2026 World Cup: Morocco eyes title, Iran faces visa hurdles Jordan is competing in its first World Cup, while Iraq is making only its second appearance, as teams from the region seek to advance against European and Latin American powerhouses. Iran
Israel energy minister says gas flowing to Egypt, Jordan despite shutdown reports Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen told Al-Monitor that despite security concerns and partial shut down of marine gas platforms, Israel continues to supply gas to Egypt, Jordan and Israeli consumers. Israel
Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar to deepen security ties amid Iran war: What to know Gulf states and Jordan are aligning more closely as Iranian attacks persist. Saudi Arabia
Jordan takes sides in Islamist rift The Jordanian government is supporting a Muslim Brotherhood breakaway society, thus deepening the divide within the group in Jordan. Jordan
Could Jordan-Palestine confederation be in the cards? Palestinian and Jordanian officials are contemplating the idea of a Jordan-Palestine confederation, to be created after the establishment of a Palestinian state and with Israeli involvement. Palestine
Jordan focuses on IS fight while Gulf allies pull back Jordan's King Abdullah expresses strong differences from many of his allies on how best to deal with the Islamic State, fighting regional terrorism, developments in Syria and US Middle East policy. Saudi Arabia
Jordan's Salafists switch allegiance to IS As militant alliances continue to shift, Jordan's strategic stance on Salafist groups has become ever more complex. Iraq
Syrian border closure deals blow to Jordan economy The Free Syrian Army has taken over the strategic border crossing of Nasib, a main trade route between Jordan and Syria, pushing the Jordanian government to seek alternative transport options and export markets. Jordan
Jordan sharpens focus on IS as Gulf confronts Iran Jordan may have Iranian fighters on its border but its No. 1 priority is still combating the Islamic State. Yemen
Al-Monitor highlights diversity of Islamic feminism Al-Monitor’s monthlong series on women concludes; Lebanese foreign minister appeals to UN Security Council for protection of Christians; members of Congress seek "formal dialogue" on future of Turkish democracy; the fault lines in Aleppo; have Israeli elections sparked long-stalled Palestinian reconciliation?; Ali Hashem profiles self-proclaimed Islamic State Caliph Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Iraq
Is the Shiite revival here? Iran's support of religiously motivated forces in the Middle East has been viewed by many as a success while Saudi Arabia has struggled to find find reliable proxies. Saudi Arabia
Iraqi Christians find safe haven in Jordan’s churches Many Iraqi Christian refugees have given up on the Middle East and refuse to ever go back to Iraq, even if the Islamic State is completely annihilated. Iraq
With men out of work, Syrian women become sole providers Syrian women have had to find a way to face the hardships of being refugees and still find a way to provide for their families. Jordan
Canal project from Dead Sea to Red Sea makes waves The Bahrain canal project to link the Dead Sea to the Red Sea seems to be of great benefit to Israel, while Palestinians will mostly be affected negatively, politically and environmentally. Palestine
Financial burden, risk of violence pressure Syrian girls to marry Syrian refugee girls in Jordan are being forced to get married at a young age, either to escape sexual violence that is widely spread in refugee camps or to ease the financial troubles of their families. Jordan
