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
How will Saudis adapt to low oil prices? Saudi Arabia will have to rely on its reserves and cut its projects and other aid to cope with falling oil prices, a tall task for a rentier state. Saudi Arabia
Abdul-Mahdi: Now real work begins for Baghdad, Erbil Although the oil deal between Baghdad and Erbil is a positive development, Turkey is sidelined by it and risks becoming a “geopolitical bystander” because of Russia's decision to cancel the South Stream gas project. Iraq
Turkey and the politics of coal The Turkish government distributed 17 million tons of free coal to the needy, which was widely seen as an election bribe. Turkey
Oil deal a sign of hope between Baghdad, Erbil An oil agreement signed by the Iraqi and Kurdish governments over the management of oil proceeds could be a new step in the normalization of relations between them. Iraq
Iraq investigates private banks for money laundering 88% of private banks in Iraq are under investigation on charges of money laundering, which have become rampant in the country in the absence of efficient audits by the Central Bank. Iraq
Gaza engineer develops new technology to replace cement Engineer Imad al-Khalidi has developed a replacement for cement to help the Gaza Strip deal with its housing crisis, after the Israeli war left many homes damaged or destroyed and in the face of Israel continuing to prevent the entry of construction materials. Palestine
Turkey looks to lure Hollywood filmmakers Seeking to attract European and American filmmakers to Turkey, the Culture and Tourism Ministry has drafted a bill to meet 25% of the costs of foreign productions shot there. Turkey
After joining IS, Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis expands in Egypt Terrorist group Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis is developing its strategy and tactics after joining the Islamic State, and threatens to spread the violence to Egyptian cities outside Sinai. Egypt
Turkey’s pro-Erdogan media purge The unexpected dismissals of three top executives from two of Turkey’s key pro-Erdogan newspapers has led to questions about the power games in the ruling AKP. Turkey
Turkish simits arrive in New York A simit is no longer just ring-shaped sesame bread, but a subtle introduction to Turkish cuisine. Turkey
Ankara, Baghdad turn over new leaf in relationship Prospects for political, economic and security cooperation between Ankara, Baghdad and Erbil look much better today despite issues that have to be ironed out. Iraq
Future uncertain for Baghdad-Erbil oil cooperation Despite a breakthrough deal between the Iraqi federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government to cooperate on oil exports from northern Iraq, thorny issues remain. Iraq
