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
Iranians want more than a nuclear deal While most Iranians were excited about the nuclear deal, many hoped that it would be the first step of bringing normalcy and stability back to their lives. Iran
Pottery making an endangered Gaza craft Gaza's local pottery industry is yet another victim of the Israeli-Egyptian siege, as exportation is all but impossible, and electricity cuts hinder production. Palestine
Iran nuclear accord requires secular 'reset' of Turkey's foreign policy In the aftermath of Iran's nuclear accord, Turkey can only play an effective regional role if it adopts a secular foreign policy. Saudi Arabia
Egypt moves ahead with nuclear plant to address electricity crisis Egypt's government is seeking to expedite the construction of a nuclear power plant to generate desperately needed electricity. Egypt
Iran wary of Iraqi plans to increase oil exports Though its own exports are limited by international sanctions, Iran has criticized Iraq’s intentions to fill the market gap by increasing its own oil exports. Iraq
World Bank vice president surveys regional economies An exclusive interview with Inger Andersen, vice president of the Middle East and North Africa at the World Bank. Egypt
Turkey close to deal with China for anti-missile system Turkey’s Undersecretariat for Defense Industries says they are 90% done on the agreement purchasing an anti-missile system from China, but notes that there still could be a political decision to abort the agreement. Turkey
Leading Israeli bank involved in nuclear missiles industry While many countries and companies avoid investing in companies that develop weapons of mass destruction, a Dutch organization reveals the funding sources of the global nuclear weapons industry. Israel
Gazans want electricity, not Hamas military parades Hamas' show of force on the streets of Gaza is not resonating with a population enduring a severe electricity and economic crisis. Palestine
Senate holds off on new Iran sanctions US President Barack Obama’s meeting with congressional leaders offers a reprieve from the Senate moving ahead with sanctions legislation on Iran, at least until December. Iran
Subdued Ashoura in Iran's holy city of Mashhad This year there appeared to be a more subdued Ashoura to commemorate Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, in Iran's holy city of Mashhad. Iran
