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
Why Iran’s 'green gold' is set to rebound Despite being hit by climate change and sanctions, Iran’s millennia-old pistachio production appears set to increase production and export. United States
Egypt considers blocking doctors from working abroad In the midst of a domestic shortage of doctors and nurses, an Egyptian parliament member has proposed a bill requiring health workers to spend 10 years working in Egypt's public hospitals before they would be permitted to travel abroad. Egypt
Will Turkey's economic crisis doom presidential system? Turkey seems to be on the cusp of a stormy 2017, as a failing economy and the drive for a presidential regime threaten to increase its already high economic and political risks. Turkey
Will Chinese currency swap help Egypt face dollar crisis? Egypt is trying to confront the dollar crisis by attracting foreign investments and reaching a deal to swap currency with China. Egypt
EU court decision may escalate tension with Morocco Europe's highest court ruled Dec. 21 that trade agreements between the European Union and Morocco do not apply to Western Sahara. Morocco
Obama administration allows Americans to train Iranians New regulations unveiled Dec. 22 allow drug, medical device and agricultural experts to travel to Iran. United States
Who's at fault for Egypt's economic crisis? The Egyptian economy seems on the verge of a profound crisis unless decision-makers in Cairo succeed in reaching exceptional agreements with petroleum exporters. Egypt
How serious is Israel about allowing return of Gaza workers? Israel's decision to allow workers from the Gaza Strip to hold jobs in adjacent towns is a positive step that, if implemented, will improve the economic situation in Gaza. Palestine
Why does Rouhani suddenly want to 'rename' Iran’s currency? The Hassan Rouhani administration’s push for currency reform is being met with criticism as economists say the Iranian economy is not yet ready to handle the potential dangers of a redenomination. Iran
On banking in Israel, Jews and Muslims can agree A new government plan opens saving accounts for every Israeli child that comport with Jewish and Muslim laws against usury. Israel
How Turkey used math to drastically boost its economy A 20% upward revision in the size of the Turkish economy will notably improve the country’s economic profile on paper, but not without controversy over the new calculation method and the discrepancies it created. Turkey
Will Egypt accept Iran’s offer to supply oil? Iran has found an opportunity to meet Egypt’s local market needs for petroleum products, but will Egypt seize this opportunity at the expense of its ties with the Gulf countries? Gulf