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
Is Egypt's new bankruptcy bill enough to lure back investors? The Egyptian government submitted to the parliament a new legislation to regulate cases of bankruptcy to ensure a safe exit for struggling investors in a bid to improve the business environment amid a lingering economic crisis. Egypt
What does double-digit inflation mean for Turkey? The accelerating pace of Turkey’s inflation threatens significant erosion in most forms of income on which the country’s population lives. Turkey
Can Cairo stave off discontent over soaring prices? Egypt walks a tightrope between reforming its economy through austerity measures without having protests over food prices and food availability tip everything over. Egypt
Questions surround Turkish businessman at center of Flynn controversy Michael Flynn is facing criticism for lobbying for Ankara prior to President Donald Trump’s inauguration, but the Turkish businessman who hired the disgraced former national security adviser told Al-Monitor he did not use government funds to pay Flynn. Turkey
Why do Iranian banks remain stuck with toxic assets? Will the continued fragile condition of Iranian banks compel the Central Bank to launch a quantitative easing program? Iran
When will Gaza gas field start operating? The Palestinian Authority is working to accelerate efforts to develop the Gaza Marine gas field, whose production capacity could help solve the energy crisis plaguing Palestinians. Palestine
How Turkey-Iran trade deal collapsed in two years Mutual tariff cuts and the lifting of international sanctions on Iran have failed to contain the decline in Turkish-Iranian trade, hit hard by regional rivalry and political tensions between the two neighbors. Turkey
Gaza's all-female cafe, a breath of fresh air Three women from Gaza opened an all-female cafe in the center of Gaza City, where women can gather, relax and laugh without the judgmental looks they get in mixed restaurants. Palestine
Efforts to privatize electricity face resistance in Iraq Five southern provinces objected to the Iraqi government's decision to privatize the electricity sector in the country. Iraq
Egypt puts off collection of hotels’ debts to boost tourism To salvage its ailing tourism sector, the Egyptian government has extended the grace period for the country’s hotels to pay all financial dues and debts. Egypt
Why Iran’s auto ambitions will benefit economy, not consumers Iran appears focused on transforming itself into a regional car manufacturing hub in the coming years — but at what price? Iran
Will stronger Egyptian pound really lead to drop in prices? Citizens are waiting to see if the Egyptian pound can sustain its comeback against the dollar. Egypt