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
Five reasons 2014 could be tough year for Erdogan While 2013 was an annus horribilis for Erdogan and his Justice and Development Party (AKP), 2014 could be worse. Turkey
Saudi labor reform opens new opportunities for economy Recent reforms enacted by the Saudi government aim to crack down on illegal immigrants and curb the use of migrant laborers. Saudi Arabia
Basra governor speaks about corruption, security challenges In an interview with Al-Monitor, Basra governor Majid al-Nasrawi spoke about corruption and said the city has hired a British security consulting firm to advise it on contracts. Iraq
Iraq fails to attract domestic capital Due to the deteriorating security situation as well as underdeveloped financial and banking apparatuses, Iraqi capital has been migrating outside the country. Iraq
Saudi Arabia's Gulf Union project includes military dimension Saudi Arabia begins 2014 with an assertive plan for regional leadership. Saudi Arabia
Egypt to send public delegations to Nile Basin neighbors Following a recent workshop, the Arab Water Council has decided to send public delegations from Egypt to other Nile Basin countries to strengthen ties and calm the crisis over water shares. Egypt
Facebook businesses boom in Gaza amid unemployment Given the growing unemployment rate and harsh blockade in Gaza, an increasing number of citizens are turning to Facebook to market products and launch small businesses. Palestine
Lebanese banks face prospects, challenges Political stability and another look at economic policies are needed to save Lebanese banks, which have acted as the national economy’s driving force. Lebanon
Gaza’s strawberry crop damaged by storm The recent winter storm, striking right at harvest time, heavily damaged the strawberry crop in the Gaza Strip. Palestine
Egypt turns to business, civil society in Nile water dispute The Egyptian government has reached out to civil society and the private sector to extend its influence in Ethiopia and other Nile Basin countries. Egypt
How long can Lebanon’s private sector bail out government? Despite the mismanagement and corruption in the Lebanese government, the country’s economy has not collapsed yet because of its private sector and foreign remittances, but that situation may not last long. Lebanon
Saudi Arabia’s commercial class looks to future Jiddah’s thriving business environment represents one of several competing visions of the kingdom’s future. Saudi Arabia
