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’s military about to conquer Red Sea tourism? President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi recently issued presidential decrees transferring control over Red Sea and Sinai lands to the armed forces, a move that many believe will negatively effect local companies in the tourism sector and bring additional riches to the military. Egypt
Young Syrians flee Daraa, Quneitra in droves Young people have been taking flight from Daraa and Quneitra in bids to find decent jobs and to avoid having to serve in the Syrian army. Lebanon
Iran's Khamenei urges oil-free economy as crude sales shrink Iran's supreme leader has underlined the need for an economy independent of oil as the country's crude exports continue to plunge amid US pressure on Tehran's customers. Iran
Iran plans revamp of national currency The Iranian Cabinet has approved a bill to remove four zeros from the national currency, the rial, and rename it the toman, but economists are divided over the potential impact. Iran
Why Netanyahu downplays historic trade agreement with South Korea Israel’s most nationalist government ever pledges to annex the occupied territories, and then approves a historic trade pact with South Korea that boycotts the settlements. Palestine
Tourism rebounds in Turkey as visitor profile shifts east Turkey’s tourism sector is recovering from the 2016 downturn as more visitors arrive from Asian and Middle Eastern countries. Turkey
Saudi Arabia selling the Aramco IPO, yet again Saudi Arabia is again preparing an initial public offering, but would a deal with China be better? Saudi Arabia
Pentagon sees warning for China in Turkey's F-35 ouster The Pentagon says the US decision to boot Turkey from the F-35 program for buying a Russian missile system could have implications for nations that invest in Chinese technologies. Turkey
What’s behind the Egypt, Cyprus rapprochement? Egypt, Greece and Cyprus have been taking steps to get closer to one another, culminating their rapprochement with the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum that would obstruct the Turkish drilling for gas in the Cypriot Exclusive Economic Zone, according to observes. Egypt
Is Iran’s national broadcaster being pushed to brink of irrelevance? Iran's national broadcasting monopoly IRIB continues to play a partisan role in the country. Iran
Ramon Airport: Israel’s white elephant in the desert It’s been seven months since the festive inauguration of the Ramon Airport, which despite its hefty price tag, has failed to meet anyone's expectations. Israel
Hamas raises $100,000 for Palestinian refugees in Lebanon Hamas’ recent fundraising campaign in the Gaza Strip to support Palestinian refugees in Lebanon received mixed reactions from Gazans. Palestine