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
Foreign firms prepare to dive into Iran’s lucrative private equity market Foreign businesses are scouring Iran in search of investment opportunities when sanctions are finally lifted based on the deal reached on the country's nuclear program. Iran
Lebanon sees green future in ecotourism Ecotourism could potentially turn into a sustainable source of income for Lebanon, and some organizations have been coordinating efforts to develop the field. Lebanon
Turkish private sector gears up for Iran push An end to international sanctions against Iran raises strong commercial prospects for Turkish companies on the Iranian market. Turkey
Erbil-Baghdad oil relations swing between deal, no deal Tensions are still high between Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government over oil exports. Iraq
Post deal, can Rouhani deliver on promises of reform? Iranian President Hassan Rouhani must tread lightly to ensure economic prosperity after sanctions relief. Iran
Gaza universities now more accessible, for all the wrong reasons Universities in Gaza are lowering their admissions standards in what appears to be a way to realize profit while disregarding the needs of the market. Palestine
Cyprus settlement could open trade routes for Turkey Should the peace talks in Cyprus result in the island’s reunification, the Turkish economy could benefit from Nicosia's close ties in the eastern Mediterranean. Turkey
Israel defense minister refuses to consider IDF pension cuts Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon attacked a report calling for the cutting of IDF salaries and pensions despite public support for a more transparent IDF budget. Israel
Ankara turns blind eye to economic downturn Turkey’s economy is on a worrisome course as tourism and export revenues fall. Turkey
Egypt's ailing health care system After some 30 years of governmental neglect, the Egyptian health care system is riddled with unsafe practices and a lack of personnel and facilities. Egypt
Israeli superfood research could help Rwanda Rwandan agronomists are studying techniques developed by Israeli students for fast, cheap and simple cultivation of the superfood algae spirulina. Israel
Turkish artisans keep ceramic craft alight In the Turkish city of Kutahya, ceramic artisans preserve a centuries-old craft, looking both for foreign markets and interaction with fellow craftsmen across the world. Turkey
