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 Rouhani's done to fight corruption The Rouhani administration has done a great deal to fight pervasive corruption in Iran, and though progress is slow, the removal of sanctions will clear the way for further efforts. Iran
Lenders rip off small Iraqi businesses Moneylenders are taking advantage of small business owners looking to expand their enterprises in Iraq, where support from banks is almost nonexistent. Iraq
Who are Egypt’s Amazighs? The marginalization of Egypt’s Amazighs throughout history may have come to their advantage, as the community has been able to preserve its traditions and unique identity. Egypt
23 years and millions of dollars later, will the Grand Egyptian Museum ever open? The Grand Egyptian Museum project has been stalled since its announcement in 1992, although the Egyptian authorities believe the museum will boost tourism. Egypt
Amid slump in oil prices, Iran focuses on mining Faced with a slump in oil prices, Iran turns to its vast mineral resources. Iran
Confidence crisis hits lagging Turkish economy Turkey's economy is weakening further amid plummeting investor and consumer confidence. Turkey
Do Erdogan’s post-Moscow visit remarks indicate change in Syria policy? Following talks with his Russian counterpart, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vaguely hints at a change in Ankara’s position on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Turkey
Soaring bad debts sound alarm in Turkey Political uncertainty and conflict with the PKK are taking their toll on the Turkish economy, with the number and value of bounced checks on the rise, threatening company bankruptcies and fresh woes in the banking sector. Turkey
Tourists drawn to hot springs, natural beauty of Egypt's remote Siwa Oasis Located near Egypt's western border with Libya, the Siwa Oasis offers visitors everything from healing hot springs and a nature preserve to archaeological treasures. Egypt
Gaza pharmacists survive by 'lending' diplomas to investors The dire economic situation in Gaza has driven pharmacology graduates to charge investors a fee for the use of their degrees to obtain pharmacy licenses. Palestine
Palestinians search for better life in Israel The Gaza blockade has been in place for about eight years now and it does not seem like the living conditions are going to improve soon, so some Palestinians try to infiltrate Israel to find better opportunities. Palestine
Rafah farmers watch in horror as Egypt floods Gaza tunnels Experts say the effects of the Egyptian army pumping seawater into the tunnels under Rafah will be disastrous for the Palestinian economy and agriculture. Palestine
