Economy and trade

Israeli budget approved in victory for Arab coalition party

The big winner of the approval of Israel’s 2021 state budget is the leader of the Arab coalition party Ra’am, Mansour Abbas.

Mazal Mualem | Israel | Aug 3, 2021

Israeli Arab politician, leader of the United Arab list, Mansour Abbas attends consultations with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin (unseen) on who might form the next coalition government, at the President's residence in Jerusalem, on April 5, 2021.

Leader of the Raam party Mansour Abbas attends consultations with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin (unseen) at the president's residence in Jerusalem, on April 5, 2021.

Middle East economic outlook hinges on vaccinations

Five countries to watch: Tunisia, Iran, Iraq, Egypt and Oman.

Week in Review | Egypt | Jul 30, 2021

A nurse stands by the CIRA-03 robot prototype built as part of a self-funded project to assist physicians in running tests on suspected COVID-19 coronavirus patients.

Half a million children in Lebanon still 'struggling to survive' after Beirut blast

A new report from Save the Children found the families of 564,000 children can't afford sufficient food and other basic goods.

Al-Monitor Staff | Lebanon | Jul 29, 2021

A boy digs in a garbage container in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, on Jan. 15, 2021.

Affordable housing for Jaffa’s Arab residents: too little, too late

With the prices of houses skyrocketing in the center of Israel, even projects designed for the low-income Arab population of Jaffa have become too expensive for them.

Afif Abu Much | Israel | Jul 29, 2021

This picture shows a view of ongoing work at a construction site in the coastal city of Tel Aviv, Israel, July 12, 2021.

The Takeaway: The roots of Tunisia’s political crisis are economic

Also: United States, Iraq stay focused on Islamic State; Gulf eyes solar energy; Russia’s Syria policy puzzles Israel; Afghan refugees trigger backlash in Turkey; Erdogan puts spotlight on Cyprus ghost town.

Andrew Parasiliti, Elizabeth Hagedorn, Joe Snell | Tunisia | Jul 28, 2021

France to host Lebanon aid conference as political crisis deepens

French President Emmanuel Macron will host the Aug. 4 conference, which comes a year after the devastating blast at Beirut's port.

Al-Monitor Staff | Lebanon | Jul 16, 2021

Hariri steps down as prime minister-designate after dispute with president

Lebanon has been without a government for nearly a year as the economic crisis in the country worsens.

Al-Monitor Staff | Jul 15, 2021

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri prepares to give an address at the government headquarters in the center of the capital, Beirut, on Oct. 18, 2019.

Iran presses for visa waiver from Iraq

Iranian authorities continue to pressure the Iraqi government into waiving its travel visa between the two countries.

Omar Sattar | Iraq | Jul 15, 2021

An Iranian policeman checks the travel document of a pilgrim at the Mehran border point between Iran and Iraq.

Report reveals heavy impact of COVID-19 on Israeli Arabs

A new report quantifies disparities in how the coronavirus crisis has affected Israel's Arab population.

Afif Abu Much | Israel | Jul 14, 2021

Saudi Arabia’s race for Gulf economic leadership takes to the sky

The kingdom diversification plan goes head-to-head with flag carriers Emirates and Qatar Airways, as intra-Gulf economic rivalries heat up on all fronts.

Sebastian Castelier | Gulf | Jul 13, 2021

This picture taken on July 8, 2020, shows an aerial view of Emirates aircraft parked on the tarmac at Dubai International Airport.

What does Saudi ban on Syrian produce mean for Assad’s government?

The kingdom's decision to ban the import of produce from the government-held areas is viewed as a sign that the kingdom has not changed its position toward the Syrian government.

Sultan al-Kanj | Syria | Jul 13, 2021

A Syrian vendor sets up his stall of fruits at the recently reopened Nassib border crossing in Daraa province, at the Syrian-Jordanian border south of Damascus, Nov. 7, 2018.

Suez Canal announces record $5.84B revenue after container ship jam

Osama Rabie, head of the Suez Canal Authority, said canal revenues were up 2% from the prior tax year.

Al-Monitor Staff | Egypt | Jul 12, 2021

Osama Rabie, chairman of Egypt's Suez Canal Authority (SCA), speaks during a press conference

Lebanon implements ration card program as economic crisis worsens

The Lebanese parliament approved a law to fund ration cards for the most vulnerable families, while ending subsidies.

Dario Sabaghi | Lebanon | Jul 10, 2021

A picture taken in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, on May 29, 2020, shows the food products that constitute a ration, part of a relief campaign to help families in need across Lebanon.

King Abdullah to be first Arab head of state to meet with Biden

King Abdullah will visit Washington for the first time in two years and is to meet with US President Joe Biden on July 19.

Al-Monitor Staff | Jordan | Jul 8, 2021

Jordanian King Abdullah and his son Crown Prince Hussein

Egypt-Turkey economic ties so far unaffected by political differences

Despite the ongoing political differences between Egypt and Turkey, Cairo remains Ankara’s largest trading partner in the African continent.

Mohammad Hanafi | Egypt | Jul 5, 2021

Economy and trade

Israeli budget approved in victory for Arab coalition party

The big winner of the approval of Israel’s 2021 state budget is the leader of the Arab coalition party Ra’am, Mansour Abbas.

Middle East economic outlook hinges on vaccinations

Half a million children in Lebanon still 'struggling to survive' after Beirut blast

Affordable housing for Jaffa’s Arab residents: too little, too late

The Takeaway: The roots of Tunisia’s political crisis are economic

France to host Lebanon aid conference as political crisis deepens

Hariri steps down as prime minister-designate after dispute with president

Iran presses for visa waiver from Iraq

Report reveals heavy impact of COVID-19 on Israeli Arabs

Saudi Arabia’s race for Gulf economic leadership takes to the sky

What does Saudi ban on Syrian produce mean for Assad’s government?

Suez Canal announces record $5.84B revenue after container ship jam

Lebanon implements ration card program as economic crisis worsens

King Abdullah to be first Arab head of state to meet with Biden

Egypt-Turkey economic ties so far unaffected by political differences

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