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
Channel to monitor Iranian procurement awaits real test A new organization created by the Iran nuclear deal is waiting for foreign companies to seek approval to sell Iran nuclear-related goods and services and other items with possible military applications. United States
Egyptians ditch daylight saving time Parliament has prevailed in its quest to keep the government from adjusting clocks twice a year, as daylight saving runs out of time in Egypt. Egypt
Rouhani's staff reshuffle fails to satisfy critics Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has made changes to two vice presidential positions, but the move did little to reassure those watching the economy continue to decline. Iran
Iranian negotiator: Blocking sale of planes is violation of deal Is the question of the sale of Boeing aircraft to Iran a make or break issue for the nuclear deal? United States
Slow response to Yemen’s crisis points to government incompetence As Yemen is facing its worst humanitarian and economic crisis in its modern history, the Saudi-led coalition needs to step up and restore security in the liberated areas by eliminating militias. Saudi Arabia
Rouhani banks on small businesses to generate big growth Even though they constitute more than 85% of businesses in the country, Iran's small- to medium-sized enterprises generate a mere 14.7% of GDP and less than 30% of employment, leading the administration to focus on boosting this crucial sector. Iran
One year later, Rouhani still selling nuclear deal to Iranians Iranian officials are urging patience in seeing the full results of the comprehensive nuclear deal. Iran
Why Israeli watermelons are making headlines in Gaza As local watermelon supplies dwindle, the Ministry of Agriculture in Gaza has allowed the import of watermelons from Israel and lifted an eight-year ban to cover the daily consumption of nearly 600 tons. Palestine
5 reasons Rouhani may not win second term With only one year left of Hassan Rouhani's first term, hard-liners are stepping up efforts to make him the first Iranian president not to be re-elected for a second term. Iran
Turkey eyes African farmlands as own farmers go broke Turkey plans to lease farmlands in African countries as thousands of its own farmers have gone out of business amid decreased government support and an aggressive construction drive swallowing arable lands. Turkey
Congress weighs restrictions on Boeing sales to Iran A number of Democrats appear willing to join Republicans in setting conditions on aircraft sales to the Islamic Republic. Congress
Can Islamic finance help close Egypt’s budget shortfall? Members of parliament are working on creative ways to cut Egypt’s ever-growing budget deficit. Egypt