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
Iraqi Kurdistan Offers Loans to Tourism Sector To keep up with its quickly growing tourism sector, the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government has begun offering loans to those wishing to build hotels and other touristic facilities. Iraq
Egypt’s Gas Shortage Fuels June 30 Protests Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi provided neither political nor economic answers in his June 26 speech. Egypt
Palestinian Stock ExchangeHas Potential to Grow Despite worsening economic conditions due to the political climate, there are several positive indicators for the Palestinian Stock Exchange. Palestine
Syrian Government Deals With Currency Collapse The Syrian government has increased public sector employees' salaries and has kept its monthly ration coupons to counter the effects of war and sanctions on the economy. Syria
Iraqis Question Costly Pensions For Parliament Members Reactions to a draft law from Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s State of Law Coalition to do away with costly MP pensions are further embroiling the Iraqi political scene in controversy. Iraq
Maliki’s Losses in Local Elections Reflect Failed Economic Policies Losses by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s State of Law Coalition in recent provincial elections are the result of growing frustration with failed economic policies. Iraq
Erdogan Holds Key To Economic Stability The way Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan handles the protests will have a big impact on long-term foreign investors. Turkey
Iranian Youth Hedge Hopes on Rouhani Iranian youth, who voted in large numbers for Hassan Rouhani for president, are mixed on whether he can deliver on Iran’s economy. Iran
Production-Sharing Contracts Could Help Renew Iran Oil Market Iran is changing its oil contracts to try to overcome sanctions and compete with Iraq. Iran
Iraq to Receive Russian Military Helicopters The Iraqi government is expanding its armed forces. Iraq
Iraqi Kurds Join Pro-Erdogan Protests Fearing setbacks in Kurdish-Turkish relations, Iraqi Kurds have taken to the streets in support of Erdogan, whom many regard as being the most tolerant of Turkey’s leaders toward the Kurdish population. Iraq
Foreign Oil Companies in Basra Caught in Political Crossfire Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s State of Law coalition has lost control of the governorship in the oil-rich province of Basra, adding a new wrinkle to oil disputes in the region. Iraq
