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
Israel's natural gas cartel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's adamance in pursuing a deal for exploiting Israel's natural gas, despite it being roundly criticized by regulators, appears to have tentacles to casino mogul Sheldon Adelson and the US-Israel Business Initiative. Israel
Even without sanctions, Iranian aviation faces turbulent future Iranian aviation is faced with multiple challenges, even in the aftermath of long-sought sanctions relief. Iran
Iran to export gas to Iraq soon, says Iranian official After the nuclear deal, Iran will need to deepen economic ties with Iraq, including the Kurdish Regional Government. Iraq
Aleppo's businessmen blame Turks for damaged factories, looted equipment While the large industrial complexes in northern Syria were once reminders of the strong economic ties between Ankara and Damascus, Aleppo's businessmen now hold Turkey responsible for the destruction and looting of their factories. Syria
Mystery surrounds Egyptian-Israeli trade ties Egyptian economic experts oppose an unconfirmed report in the Israeli paper Maariv that an Israeli factory might open in Egypt. Egypt
Iran to Russia: Where are those missiles you promised us? Following Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif’s trip to Moscow, Iranian media has been abuzz with talk about the long-awaited delivery of a long-rang S-300 missile defense system, which is still being held up by Russia. Russia
Iran works to get auto industry back on the road As the sanctions on Iran are lifted, many hope the Iranian auto industry will be revivied and Western car makers will be pitted against Chinese rivals for shares in Iran's market. Iran
Young women cooking up dreams in Gaza Publishing one’s culinary creations online has been gaining popularity in Gaza, and it seems the activity could empower young women by helping them to develop their talent and earn money. Palestine
Turks turn to dollar as lira hits low Turkish depositors are abandoning the Turkish lira and clamoring for the US dollar. Turkey
Tehran district grows by leaps and bounds The Iranian capital's newest district presents plenty of opportunities, but also challenges. Iran
Will Sisi's economic reforms succeed? A little more than one year into his term, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's economic policies and generous foreign aid seem to have had a positive impact on the economy, but many challenges remain. Egypt
Ankara slices away at meat prices The Turkish government has intervened in the market to address soaring food prices as the Central Bank stumbles in its fight against inflation. Turkey
