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
WEF Dreams And Palestinian Realities The rosy picture that US and Israeli officials are trying to portray at the World Economic Forum is viewed skeptically by a grieving couple who were unable to see the wife's dying mother. Palestine
Iran’s Private Sector Weighs Its Options Iran’s business community considers the presidential candidates and the future of Iran’s economy. Iran
Iraq to Simplify Visa Procedures For Foreign Oil Workers The Iraqi government has announced that it will simplify entry-visa and residency-permit procedures for foreign oil workers, following complaints that the current lengthy process deters investors. Iraq
Former Vice President Slams Iraq's Economic Policy In a statement issued on his personal Facebook page, economist and former Iraqi vice president Adil Abdul-Mahdi has vehemently criticized the country’s economic policy. Iraq
Six Nautical Miles Not Enough For Gaza Fishermen Israel's announcement to re-extend Gaza's fishing zone from three to six nautical miles comes at the end of the lucrative sardine season and does not promise relief for fishermen. Palestine
In Gaza, Women Struggle For Economic Role Despite high literacy and education rates among Palestinian women in Gaza, only one in ten can find employment. Palestine
The Children of Gaza’s Tunnels The Israeli-imposed blockade on Gaza is helping the smuggling tunnels flourish, with many children choosing to work in these tunnels out of necessity despite the danger. Palestine
Iran's Government Subsidies Are Incentives for Poor Voters Cash handouts as part of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s subsidy reform programs have a constituency among Iran’s lower classes. Iran
Syrian Oil Becomes Fault Line In War With Syria's oil reserves divided between Kurdish and opposition forces, some fear a clash over the country's energy resources. Syria
Can Rafsanjani Save Iran’s Economy? Whoever wins the Iranian presidential election will face a daunting economic challenge. Iran
The Limits of Asia-Gulf Ties Gulf-Asian economic relations will likely continue to grow while national security considerations are ignored. Saudi Arabia
Baghdad Struggles to Halt Devaluation of Iraqi Dinar The Central Bank of Iraq has taken measures to slow the fall of the Iraqi dinar, which has plummeted against the US dollar in recent weeks. Iraq
