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
Will Egypt run out of water? How will Cairo manage the risk of endangering its historic water share following the failure of the Egyptian and Ethiopian negotiations on the construction of the Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile? Egypt
Soccer politics reaches fever pitch in Iran Despite promises to promote the privatization of soccer, Iranian authorities retain a firm grip over the sport in the country. Iran
Why so many Turks took Black Friday as insult to Islam It may have looked silly when thousands of Turks took to Twitter to condemn Black Friday sales, but their frenzy tells an ominous story. Turkey
Turkey’s meat row Scrambling to rein in skyrocketing meat prices, the Turkish government has again resorted to imports of cheaper meat, angering producers in the country’s already shrinking husbandry sector. Turkey
Turks explore Ottoman past in visits to Jerusalem Turkish pilgrims and visitors are increasingly heading to Jerusalem, following Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's call on Muslims to visit the holy city. Palestine
Imprudent foreign financing could jeopardize Iran’s economy Contrary to common wisdom, not all foreign financing, especially the type currently trickling into Iran, is good for state finances and the country’s economy. Iran
Cairo sends university students to tour military industry University students are touring Egypt's military production facilities as part of a state program to educate the public and defend its image. Egypt
What Turkey's halal ambitions mean for the average Turk The Turkish government says it will bring in more revenue with the newly created Halal Accreditation Authority, but the move raises questions about discrimination, disappearing secularism and rising food prices for citizens. Turkey
Turkey’s feuding with allies hits financial markets Turkey's lira has sunk to a record low as the government lashes out at NATO and implies the United States is out to harm the Turkish economy. Turkey
Foreign investors flee Turkey Turkey’s domestic political tensions and mounting rows with Western allies have fueled the flight of foreign investors, exacerbating the country’s economic woes. Turkey
Iraq steps up efforts to stop smuggling of rare species Smuggling rare animal species out of Iraq has become common due to lax enforcement of laws and the country's security situation, but the federal government is making renewed efforts to halt the smuggling. Iraq
Egypt unable to find agreement in Renaissance Dam talks After Egypt declared the technical negotiations with Ethiopia and Sudan regarding the Renaissance Dam as failed, it is now pursuing political and other means to address the crisis instead. Egypt