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
Turkey unlikely to upset Iraq in KRG energy deal Turkey’s energy initiatives with the Kurdistan Region of Iraq are not likely to jeopardize a possible warming trend in Ankara-Baghdad ties. Business
Kerry's Palestinian economic plan another dead end? The details and process for US Secretary of State John Kerry's $4 billion economic plan to date are discouraging. Palestine
UAE replaces Qatar as Egypt's partner on Suez project Egypt has been coordinating with the United Arab Emirates on the Suez Canal project, amid growing public outcry at the lack of transparency surrounding it. Egypt
Facebook campaigns denounce Egyptian films that degrade women Several Egyptian groups have emerged to denounce locally made films they believe are degrading to women and to demand legislation to protect women. Egypt
Turkey-Azerbaijan relations still strong Although Azerbaijan is warming its relations with Russia and Iran, Ankara still remains the most pivotal ally for Baku. Turkey
How independent is the Iraqi-Kurdish pipeline to Turkey? Turkey can be instrumental in brokering a grand bargain on oil policy that affirms Iraqi sovereignty while assuring the Kurdistan Region of Iraq’s contribution to export growth. Iraq
Five Trends in Iran-Turkey Trade, Energy Ties International sanctions and regional tensions over Syria could still upset the uptick in Iran-Turkey economic relations, but the trend is positive. Turkey
Reformist Newspaper in Iran Shut Down Over Imam Ali Article While the first newspaper under President Rouhani's tenure has been shut down for covering a sensitive religious topic, there are signs that the days of mass newspaper closures have not returned. Iran
Fashion Labels Popular In Gaza Despite Hardship Siege and war have not prevented Palestinians in Gaza from keeping up to speed with the latest fashion trends. Palestine
Who’s Afraid of Palestine? A series of studies claims that the establishment of a Palestinian state would benefit regional stability and boost economic growth in tourism, communications and agriculture. Palestine
Algeria’s Failing State The announcement that President Abdelaziz Bouteflika will seek a fourth term offers little optimism for Algeria’s future. Business
