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
The growing Israeli corruption problem Israelis view corruption as the price for getting things done, but it’s in all layers of the governance, despite the economic, social and moral consequences. Israel
Airbus deal takeoff irks Iranian hard-liners While welcomed by many Iranians, President Hassan Rouhani’s trip to Europe, which involved extensive deal making, has triggered a backlash among hard-liners in Iran. Iran
Redefining cinema in Egypt Some heavy-hitters in Egypt's cinema world have helped create a home for independent movies. Egypt
Will French carmakers rev up Iran’s auto industry? The Rouhani administration focuses on forging partnerships with international carmakers to boost Iran’s embattled automotive sector. Iran
How Turkey's foreign policy may have lost it $25 billion in trade with Iran A preferential trade agreement between Turkey and Iran has failed to stop the decline in bilateral trade as regional political disputes between the two neighbors deepen. Turkey
How to overcome Iraq’s economic crisis Iraq's economic recovery requires strong institutions and infrastructure, but with no time to wait for stability, the state should provide financial support and administrative facilities to help small businesses grow now. Iraq
Is this the end of Turkish miracle? Turkey’s economic success story of the past decade has dramatically changed, becoming instead a tale of caution. Turkey
How sanctions helped Iranian tech industry The sanctions both hurt and helped Iran’s high-tech industry. Iran
Will Saudi's cut to trade with Iran really matter? Saudi Arabia’s cutting of commercial ties with Iran appears to be having a far smaller impact than Riyadh’s parallel severing of diplomatic relations with Tehran. Saudi Arabia
Why some Gazan professors are selling their homes The financial crisis plaguing the Islamic University in the Gaza Strip forced some of its employees to seek the help of charitable institutions. Palestine
Palestinians in Jordan outraged over new work permit requirements Jordan’s decision to require work permits for Palestinians holding temporary passports on its territory will further add to their economic and social suffering. Palestine
Turkish products break Egyptian monopoly over Gazan markets Strengthening diplomatic ties between Turkey and Hamas means Turkish products have been flooding Gazan markets, leading some to believe the blockade on the Gaza Strip could be lifted. Palestine
