Turkey lifts veil on unemployment data, revealing bigger army of jobless A new, broader set of labor statistics has exposed a big gap between Turkey’s official unemployment rate and the actual joblessness in the crisis-hit country. Turkey
Rights group criticizes Jordan over debt imprisonment Human Rights Watch has highlighted the plight of poor Jordanians imprisoned for failing to pay back loans taken out to meet basic needs. Jordan
COVID accelerates evolution of Gulf economies The economic policy response to COVID-19 is an acceleration of specific trends already underway across the Gulf Cooperation Council members, variously affecting tax policy, labor market regulation and immigration policy. Saudi Arabia
Iran receives COVID-19 vaccine from Cuba Iran enjoys warm relations with the Latin American state and the two countries are also developing a coronavirus vaccine together. Iran
Ankara frees Amnesty International chair Amnesty International's Turkey chair Taner Kilic was finally freed today as Turkey looks to Europe for help with its financial woes. Turkey
New border crossing to create direct Iraq-Turkey link Ankara and Baghdad have announced plans to open a second border crossing, tightening links between the two countries. Iraq
US sanctions put nearly half a million jobs at risk in Iran’s auto parts industry Auto parts suppliers in Iran warn that US sanctions coupled with domestic mismanagement are bringing their industry to its knees. Iran
Hebron forced to crack down on lucrative, dangerous scrap trade The local authorities are fighting the scrap trade in Hebron, where people burn used goods to extract valuable materials despite the damage it causes to the environment and public health. Palestine
Who is at the sharp end of Turkey’s currency crisis? After years of bold borrowing from abroad, Turkish conglomerates, including government cronies, are sitting on a powder keg as the country’s currency turmoil keeps augmenting their debt repayment woes. Turkey
Erdogan sneers at Trump as Turkey lines up new friends Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan lashed out at US President Donald Trump in what some analysts say is a bid to scapegoat the United States for an impending economic collapse, but he's more likely motivated by the ongoing probes into Turkey's Halkbank. Turkey
Turkish lira plunges as Trump hits Ankara with increased tariffs US President Donald Trump's tweeted promise to double tariffs on steel and aluminum has pushed Turkey's currency into yet another tumble. Turkey
The interest group economics wreaking havoc on Iran's currency Absent tackling such root issues as banking and financial sector reform, Iran’s political economy is likely to continue to shape government policy to the detriment of the economy and the society as a whole. Iran
Ankara plans road network to connect Syria with southern Turkey The Turkish government is working with local councils in Syria's Euphrates Shield area to build and improve a road network to connect the area's cities with southern Turkey. Syria
Hebron women turn to at-home businesses to boost self-sufficiency In light of Israeli restrictions on residents of the Old City of Hebron, local women have turned to small projects to strengthen their steadfastness and increase their independence. Palestine
Will new e-payment regulations boost Gaza's gig economy? The Palestine Monetary Authority introduced new regulations and licensing to secure and expand electronic payment services, a step that could allow more Gazans to receive remittances for work conducted online for foreign companies. Palestine
Mainstream Turkish media turn blind eye to country’s worst currency crisis Although Turkey is suffering one of the worst currency crises in its history, no single mainstream Turkish media outlet has covered the development. Turkey