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
Rouhani Deals With Ahmadinejad's Economic Legacy The success of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s economic reforms will ultimately depend on international sanctions relief. Iran
Innovation, Entrepreneurs Vital For Regional Economic Growth The Middle East and North Africa have abundant economic potential that can be harnessed through the power of the private sector. Pan Arab
Mike Tyson Goes to Algeria To Shoot Action Film The former heavyweight champion will work with an international movie team in Algeria for a new action film modeled loosely on “Rambo.” Culture & Society
Lebanon’s President Must Form Government to Prevent Collapse While the situation in Lebanon is increasingly affected by the crisis in neighboring Syria, President Michel Suleiman must form a government, even without the support of major parties, to end the country’s paralysis and save its economy. Lebanon
Yemen’s Modern Coffee Shops Progressive, Yet Exclusive Modern, Western-style coffee shops are popping up in the affluent neighborhoods of Yemen’s capital, but the venues known for attracting intellectuals exclude the poor and conservative majority. Yemen
Egypt Economy Continues Downward Trend Despite significant Gulf aid, Egypt's economic indicators continue to point in the wrong direction. Egypt
What Is Behind Success Of Tehran Stock Exchange? The Tehran Stock Exchange has been a success in an otherwise stagnant economy. Iran
Syria's Bus Drivers Brave War to Provide Transport Bus companies operating between Lebanese and Syrian cities continue despite the high dangers of war. Lebanon
Political Disputes Delay Lebanon’s Gas Projects In light of Lebanon’s governmental vacuum and developments in neighboring Syria, certain parties want to delay the bidding process for exploration rights to the country’s offshore gas fields. Lebanon
Syria Strike Would Be Disaster for Lebanon Any foreign military intervention in Syria, particularly a direct strike by NATO forces, will have dire consequences for the already fragile environment in Lebanon. Lebanon
UAE Investment Casualty Of Turkey’s Egypt Policy Foreign policy decisions are negatively affecting Turkey’s exports and attraction of foreign investment. Turkey
Iraq Must Accommodate Foreign Workers to Boost Investments In a sign of bureaucratic inefficiency, Iraq admits that it has not been properly accommodating foreign workers coming into the country working for oil companies. Iraq
