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
Post-nuclear deal, Iran looks to expand ties with Latin America Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi discussed Iran’s economic goals in Latin America ahead of a trip by an Iranian delegation to the region. Iran
Why are Turks disposing of $1 bills? The discovery of $1 bills on Turkish soldiers involved in the July 15 putsch suggest the greenback has been used as a secret code of communication. Turkey
How the new government plans to save Tunisia Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi has tapped Nidaa Tunis leader Youssef Chahed to form a unity government that will focus on terrorism, corruption and Tunisia's deteriorating economy. Tunisia
How Yemen plans to dry up Houthis' funding Yemen is making major changes in its fiscal operations, hoping to get back revenue sources it says are being hijacked by Houthi rebels. Yemen
Iran’s tourism sector growing, but is it enough? Iran’s tourism industry has experienced a rebirth since the 2013 election of moderate President Hassan Rouhani. Yet the industry is still far from the realization of its full potential. Iran
Arab Jerusalemites priced out of own neighborhoods Israel's policy of restricting Palestinian growth while encouraging Israelis to settle in Jerusalem’s Palestinian neighborhoods has always made it hard for the city's Arab population to find decent and affordable homes, and things are worse than ever. Israel
Putin gets big kiss-and-make-up gift from Erdogan As part of fence-mending efforts with Russia, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has pledged a special status with huge financial boons for the nuclear plant the Russians are building in Turkey. Turkey
Iranian carmakers' good fortune unlikely to trickle down The impending joint venture between European carmakers and Iranian manufacturers is good news for the Iranian automotive industry, but such developments may not benefit consumers unless competitiveness is restored. Iran
Will investors shell out cash for Egyptian citizenship? To encourage foreign investment and help the country's financial recovery, the Egyptian parliament is considering amending the constitution to grant citizenship to investors. Egypt
What's next following Erdogan-Putin summit? Ankara was delighted with the recent Turkish-Russian summit, while Moscow sounded guardedly optimistic, but a true assessment of the meeting's implications will take time. Syria
Russia-Turkey rapprochement has limits Russia and Turkey have made strides in improving their ties, but the relationship is going to need far more than the issuance of commemorative plates celebrating the Aug. 9 meeting of the countries' presidents in the Constantine Palace's Greek Room. Turkey
How Turkey's coup turmoil has fueled migration flurry Consultancy firms report a big increase in the number of Turks exploring options to migrate to the West, as the failed coup and its aftermath exacerbate fears over the country's future. Turkey