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
What Turkey’s new Central Bank chief means for the economy In a first for Turkey, an Islamic finance professional has been named Central Bank governor amid questions of whether the appointment is linked to Erdogan’s war on interest rates. Turkey
Is inequality rising in Rouhani’s Iran? With the nuclear deal in hand, President Hassan Rouhani’s greatest challenge in the run-up to the 2017 presidential elections appears to be ensuring not only that the dividends of his foreign policy focus are reaped, but that they are evenly distributed. Iran
Why Israel's millennials refuse to leave home Israeli parents accuse their 30- and 40-year-old children of being spoiled and uncommitted to work hard as they did, while children blame them for handing over a country in a dire economic and security situation. Israel
Treasury secretary says US financial system will stay closed to Iran US refusal to allow “U-turn transactions” involving the US dollar undermines sanctions relief for Iran. Iran
Turkey witnesses 'unprecedented onslaught on critical media' Since coming to power in 2002, Turkey’s ruling party has employed unprecedented means to expand pro-government media and curb critical media, acting in cooperation with crony businessmen and using public funds. Turkey
Will government seize Turkey's largest bank? Isbank, Turkey's largest private bank, is seen as a government takeover target. Turkey
Currency crash adds to Syrians’ woes The crash in the Syrian pound’s value against foreign currencies has resulted in higher food prices and increased demand for other currencies. Syria
Will Ramallah be Palestine's first 'smart city'? The Ramallah municipality has implemented a number of technology projects in an effort to become a "smart city," but it faces numerous obstacles. Palestine
Will US-Saudi 'special relationship' last? Despite what many observers see as a strain in US-Saudi relations over very different if not completely opposite foreign policy postures, the two countries' shared interests remain a firm and unchanging foundation for their cooperation. Saudi Arabia
Syria's withering agricultural sector Five years into the raging revolution, Syria's once-flourishing agricultural system is threatened with complete collapse. Syria
Private collectors fuel demand for looted Mideast antiquities Archaeological experts say social dislocation and terrorism are increasing the ability of organized gangs to traffic artifacts to clients in Europe, Asia and the United States. Yemen
Despite criticism, Rouhani calls for more international deals President Hassan Rouhani warns that opportunities arising from the nuclear deal won't last forever and Iran must take advantage of them and engage with the world. Iran
