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 renewable energy is booming in Iran Unshackled from crippling nuclear-related sanctions but faced with low oil prices, Iran turns to renewable energy in preparation for the future. Iran
Will state of emergency become the new normal for Turkey? Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan appears to be contemplating extending the state of emergency in Turkey beyond 12 months. Turkey
Why did Egypt really back down on Russian wheat import ban? While Cairo claims its decision to allow trace amounts of ergot fungus in wheat imports complies with earlier regulations, some in Egypt are questioning the motives. Egypt
Peres’ secret Marshall Plan for the Middle East Shimon Peres, who died last week, as president worked relentlessly to engage Israel, the Palestinians, the Arab world and global high-tech companies in his Middle East Marshall Plan for turning the region into a peaceful technological powerhouse. Israel
How did Ankara's spending on Syrian refugees jump to $25 billion? Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently claimed Turkey spent $25 billion on Syrian refugees, although he had cited $10 billion in February and even the number of refugees did not change. Turkey
Will Gaza soon have its own aquatic city? The Gazan government is seeking to attract more tourists to the Gaza Strip through its new project to build a first-of-its-kind aquatic city and fish park at Gaza’s seaport. Palestine
AKP’s war economy widens income gap A recent survey by Turkey’s official statistics agency reveals growing income disparities as the country’s economic downturn continues amid unrest both at home and in the region. Turkey
Fulfilling vision of Peres requires dismantling settlements Former Israeli President Shimon Peres' Middle East peace legacy can only be realized if the settlements he himself approved many years ago are dismantled. Palestine
Financial watchdog worries Iranian hard-liners Fierce criticism of engagement with the Financial Action Task Force rages on in Iran, but the government is holding firm with the support of several political heavyweights. Iran
Gazans aren't spared from iPhone frenzy Despite the 10-year siege, iPhone mobile devices still make it into the Gaza Strip, where there is a high demand among the citizens who pay large amounts of money to own smartphones and keep up with technology. Saudi Arabia
Iran releases jailed Iranian-Canadian academic Just back from New York, President Hassan Rouhani has been harshly reminded that engagement with the United States should not go beyond the nuclear deal. Meanwhile, Iran releases a detained Iranian-Canadian professor. Iran
Foreign policy mishaps prove costly for Turkish contractors The AKP government’s foreign policy blunders have cost Turkish contractors abroad $16 billion of revenue losses. Iraq