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
Everything you've ever wanted to know about Fethullah Gulen, Turkey's most controversial cleric Questions remain concerning the future of Fethullah Gulen, a minor preacher who quickly rose to become one of Erdogan's closest allies, only to fall out of favor and remain in self-imposed exile in the US. Turkey
Ankara uses water pipeline to drown out opposition in Turkish Cyprus Turkish Cyprus has been plunged into a political crisis in the wake of Ankara’s imposition of a tough water-supply agreement coupled with the suspension of financial aid to the island. Turkey
Will drought fuel water conflict between Cairo, Addis Ababa? As drought continues to plague Ethiopia, the longstanding dispute over precious water resources in the Nile Basin is intensifying. Egypt
How Rouhani is moving to boost Iran's stock market Given Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s efforts to dislodge rials locked in bank deposits, amid the weak returns of traditional investments such as gold, foreign currency and property, it appears that the Iranian stock market is set for a major influx of capital. Iran
Central Bank governor: Iran expects access to US financial system In an interview with Al-Monitor, Iranian Central Bank Governor Valiollah Seif said Iran has made economic progress even before the lifting of sanctions and invited American companies to compete with Europeans in trading with and investing in Iran. Iran
Will the true culprits surface in Lebanon's infamous Internet racket? Officials are investigating claims of corruption and espionage in Lebanon's Internet management. Israel
Syria's Kurds take control of oil fields, now what? After Kurdish forces took control of parts of northeastern Syria, they have found themselves facing many challenges, including the management of their oil wells. Syria
Palestinians pop up in Panama Papers The Panama Papers included many names from the Palestinian Authority, an institution already facing widespread allegations of corruption. Palestine
Turkey’s new 4G mobile network comes with many dark clouds While the fourth-generation mobile data network arrived in Turkey this month, high costs, insufficient infrastructure and potential concerns from the government mean doubts remain about the extent to which it will benefit citizens. Turkey
Can Egypt's new Cabinet avoid mistakes of the past? Sweeping changes in Egyptian Prime Minister Sherif Ismail's Cabinet have some observers recalling a previous premier's successful, but dubious, lineup. Egypt
Iran revs up for auto revolution The ownership structure of the Iranian auto market is set to radically change over the coming year as international carmakers make their entry. Iran
Hamas, PA face off on financial front Palestinian individuals and institutions are complaining about procedures implemented by the Palestinian Authority to monitor exchange office and bank transactions suspected of aiding Hamas. Palestine
