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
Has Turkey finally made nice with Russia? Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s apology appears to have broken the ice with Russia, but the relationship still needs time to thaw. Syria
Egypt moves to ban 'immoral' TV ads Advertisers are trying to develop innovative commercials that grab the public’s attention without offending people — or government agencies. Egypt
Senior American at IMF says Iran faces 'fundamental' economic choices A year after the nuclear accord was reached, a top official at the International Monetary Fund said he was impressed on his first visit to Iran by the desire of senior officials there to reform the Iranian economy but that they need to do more to insure sustainable growth. Iran
What's really driving Turkish-Israeli reconciliation? Turkey has started what looks like a sharp turn in its relations with Israel in consideration of shared security and military priorities, though it will take some time to rebuild ties to their former levels. Israel
Has Egypt lost its status as star of Arab film industry? Egyptian production companies have been struggling with growing debts, particularly as actors' salaries are increasing despite lagging revenues. Egypt
Iran’s pipeline politics reaches Iraqi Kurdistan The planned construction of a pipeline connecting Iraqi Kurdistan with Iran could further cement Iran's position as the regional energy hub — and also benefit Kurds on both sides of the border. Iraq
Are hard-liners moving in on Iran's Oil Ministry? Iranian hard-liners may be behind the replacement of the director of the National Iranian Oil Company, dealing a fresh blow to the pro-reform camp. Iran
Will reviving old parliament bring Egypt-Sudan relations back to life? Egyptian and Sudanese leaders could find solutions to their disputes by reinstating a formerly abandoned, shared parliamentary body. Egypt
Erdogan displays survival instinct in Israel reconciliation Turkey has taken major steps to end its global isolation by reconciling with Israel and apologizing to Russia. Palestine
One year after Sousse attack, Tunisia’s tourism industry remembers victims while remaining hopeful Tunisia’s tourism sector, bolstered by increased security, continues to push on following the sharp decline it experienced in the wake of last year’s Sousse attack. Tunisia
Digital map seeks to document 'trail of destruction' of Mideast antiquities Government and nonprofit organizations are working together to mitigate the threats that the Islamic State, looters and others pose to Middle East antiquities. Yemen
Cairo wages war on corruption with TV ads, but will it work? The Egyptian government has launched a TV ad campaign aimed at combating corruption, but some fear it will be ineffective without structural reform. Egypt