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
Iranian Kurds hesitant about joining protests While some major urban centers in western Iran have been engulfed in the recent wave of protests, most small Kurdish towns and cities have remained quiet. Iran
Impoverished Gaza's economy on verge of total collapse The economic situation in the long-suffering Gaza Strip has become so dire, some economists are calling on ex-pats to pump money into the small enclave. Palestine
Netanyahu's coalition goes to war — with itself Recent proposed legislation has fractured the governing coalition, forcing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to roll up his sleeves to keep it from falling apart. Israel
Iraq has much to gain from gas-supply pact with Kuwait A deal to export gas to Kuwait could help Iraq pay off war reparations, take advantage of otherwise wasted flare gas and make inroads with other Gulf countries. Kuwait
How Rouhani can use protests to advance reform Key questions about the protests in Iran remain unanswered, but that does not stop President Hassan Rouhani from being able to seize on the demonstrations to advance his agenda. Iran
2018 fraught with uncertainties for Turkish economy Despite its spectacular growth this year, Turkey’s economy is burdened with serious problems and fragilities that might spoil the party next year. Turkey
New treatment plant to help Gaza's wastewater crisis Lengthy power cuts in the Gaza Strip have prevented water treatment plants from keeping up with the area's increasing volume of wastewater, but a new agreement with Israel holds promise as a solution. Palestine
House parties the New Year's vogue in Turkey Facing increasing public scrutiny about celebrating New Year’s Eve, a lot of Turks find comfort in professionally organized house parties catering to all budgets and tastes. Turkey
Can Russian-Saudi unity extend beyond oil pact? Moscow and Riyadh are on the same page currently when it comes to oil, but it's unclear whether that understanding will last long enough to grease the wheels of further collaboration. Saudi Arabia
Cryptocurrencies could offer Iran way around sanctions While the rise of cryptocurrencies potentially offers Iran a way around the web of sanctions, much remains to be done for the country to be able to fully take advantage of such an opportunity. Iran
Does boycotting US medication benefit Egypt? Several Egyptian companies have called on citizens to boycott American pharmaceutical companies in response to President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Egypt
Egypt plans for dam alternative in disputed area Now that negotiations over the Renaissance Dam project have failed, Egypt wants to build a separate dam in the Shalateen area to compensate for the country’s water loss. Egypt