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
Erdogan counting on elections to recoup from scandals Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is banking on the polls, not the courts, to vindicate himself from the current allegations of corruption. Turkey
Turkmen caught between Turkey and Iraqi Kurdistan Iraqi Turkmen are getting pressure from the Turkish government to work more closely with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) of Iraq. Iraq
Erdogan enraged The corruption probe and alleged phone leaks between Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his advisers raise grave concerns about Turkey’s political direction. Turkey
China seeks to buy Israeli food company With no proper regulation or restrictions to safeguard Israeli national interests, China multiplies its efforts at taking over leading Israeli companies in the food, insurance and high-tech sectors. Israel
Iraq's failing state institutions The Iraqi government appoints state officials on the basis of politics rather than competence, something that has led to many state projects failing without anyone being held accountable. Iraq
How much nuclear power does Iran need? Iran could clarify the bottom line on enrichment with an up-to-date assessment of its needs for nuclear power in domestic energy production. Iran
Ultra-Orthodox draft law defuses Israel's 'existential threat' The ultra-Orthodox draft law proposes a gradual enlistment process, which will not lead to an equal sharing of the burden, but will help the ultra-Orthodox overcome the obstacles between them and the modern world. Israel
Hamas sinks in polls after cutting salaries to public servants Hamas' popularity has fallen behind Fatah in the Gaza Strip, according to recent polls, as frustration mounts over its handling of the territory's economic crisis. Palestine
The paradox of higher education in Iran The increase in the number of private universities in Iran has not increased the level and quality of scholarly work in Iran. Iran
Turkey defers to Baghdad on oil from Iraqi Kurdistan Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani has been conducting shuttle diplomacy between Baghdad and Ankara to facilitate an agreement. Iraq
Palestinian entrepreneur returns to build new city in West Bank Palestinian entrepreneur Bashar al-Masri explains his vision for the West Bank town of Rawabi. Palestine
Controversy surrounds alleged Iraq-Iran arms deal An Iraqi diplomat has been reported as claiming that Baghdad will sign an arms deal with Iran, but other officials from both sides refute his alleged assertions. Iraq
