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
Is Egypt encouraging investments in gold mines? The Egyptian government plans to add the taxes and royalties system to the new amendments of the Mineral Resources Law, thus replacing the current production-sharing system in place. Egypt
What's steering the PA ban of importing Israeli calves? Israeli farmers are growing increasingly anxious over a decision by the Palestinian Authority to ban the import of calves from Israel. Palestine
In Riyadh, Putin receives czar-like reception Russia and Saudi Arabia sign a dozen business deals but it is unclear whether Syria disagreements were resolved. Saudi Arabia
Egypt, Palestine make plans to boost economic ties A Palestinian delegation to Egypt discussed ways to boost cooperation in the fields of oil, economy and trade as Palestinians work to sever economic ties with Israel. Palestine
Trump announces sanctions against Turkey The Treasury Department sanctions Turkey's defense, energy, and interior ministers over Turkey's incursion into northern Syria. Syria
Palestinians sign agreements with Egypt in step toward financial freedom from Israel Palestinian delegations are making the rounds seeking help from countries in the region as Palestine seeks to economically disengage from the Israel, most recently visiting Egypt. Palestine
What's behind Egypt meeting with Greece, Cyprus at this time? The timing of the seventh tripartite summit between Egypt, Cyprus and Greece delivers clear and powerful messages that these countries support each other in the disputes they are facing. Egypt
Turkish economy faces fresh turmoil over Syrian operation Ankara’s new military campaign in Syria has raised the specter of fresh trouble for the crisis-hit Turkish economy, but the government hopes to compensate with political gains. Syria
Will Jordan extend Israeli lease of farmlands? Israeli farmers will soon be forced to abandon their agricultural lands at Naharayim, in Jordanian territory, at the end of their 25-year leases this month according to a provision of the peace treaty between Jordan and Israel. Israel
Gas trade: Stand-alone win-win for US-Turkey relations The only foreseeable and quantifiable area in the relationships between Turkey and the United States is gas trade. Turkey
Palestinian disengagement plan from Israel leans on Egypt A Palestinian ministerial delegation headed to Egypt to discuss ways to boost relations in economy and trade, as part of the Palestinian government’s efforts to break economic ties with Israel. Palestine
Decision to ban e-cigarettes in Gaza sparks mockery on social media The Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip issued a decision to ban e-cigarettes, claiming that they are bad for citizens' health, which sparked angry reactions. Palestine