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
After decades, Iran, Iraq ready to dredge the Shatt al-Arab Iran and Iraq hope to revive the Shatt al-Arab as a source of clean water as well as a generator of increased commerce and tourism. Iraq
War over vacating most expensive land in Israel Sde Dov airport in the north of Tel Aviv, which serves hundreds of thousands of travelers in domestic flights every year, will soon close to benefit real estate ventures that will change the face of the city. Israel
Zarif seeks help from Pakistan Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif visits Islamabad with an eye toward receiving help in dealing with Iran's economic woes and its issues with Washington and Riyadh. Iran
Seeking trade incentives, Palestinian businessmen develop economic ties with Israel Palestinian businessmen flout political taboos by meeting with Israelis for business. Palestine
Israel’s scenario of the 'big' earthquake A devastating earthquake strikes the region about once every century, so Israel — statistically at least — is closer than ever to another deadly tremor. Israel
Egypt plans new maritime line to East Africa for increasing exports The Egyptian government will soon inaugurate a new maritime line from the port of Ain Sokhna to East African countries, with the aim of boosting trade and exports. Egypt
Will open market operations signal new chapter in Iran’s financial leadership? The Central Bank of Iran will soon engage in open market operations for the first time, but lingering structural issues and the possibility of government meddling threaten the effectiveness of such a measure in curbing money supply and inflation. Iran
Turkey squeezed between Russia, US in Syria Turkey, pressed between Russia and the United States, is headed toward a foreign policy crash in addition to an economic one. Syria
Egypt’s new free zone to serve development purposes As part of the Egyptian government development plan for Upper Egypt, a new free zone will be opened in Aswan to boost the economy, serve investors and create more jobs. Egypt
Iran tightens noose on corrupt tycoons Iran's judiciary is prosecuting individuals accused of corruption and embezzlement on a scale unheard of in the country. Iran
Palestine eyes agricultural boost The Palestine Investment Fund announced the creation of a company to invest in the agriculture sector in line with the government’s plan to boost local production and decrease dependence on Israel. Palestine
Can Iran rely on Russia to dodge US pressure? Iran is relying on Russia to minimize the impact of the US "maximum pressure" campaign, but Russia seems to have reservations while it also enjoys certain advantages if US-Iran tensions remain unresolved, albeit at a controlled level. Russia