Economy and trade

Is new energy league an alliance against Ankara?

A Cairo-based partnership among Egypt, Israel, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority is ready to explore energy sources in the eastern Mediterranean — whether Turkey likes it or not.

Palestine

Can Iranian sovereign crypto-rial loosen sanctions straitjacket?

The United States is gearing up to sanction Iran’s sovereign cryptocurrency in anticipation of its introduction.

Russia

Afcon soccer tourney gives Egypt chance for glory both on, off field

Egypt is getting only a small amount of time to prepare for Afcon 2019, but the major soccer tournament could pay off big time.

Egypt

Expect trade activity boost between Egypt, Gaza Strip

Egypt and Hamas are exploring trade options, including a new border crossing, that would skirt Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

Palestine

Why Iran must shake up its approach to state-owned enterprises

While the government’s general budget grabs the most attention in Iranian media, it is high time for Iran to revise the way it approaches the dilemma of the vast number of uncompetitive state-owned enterprises.

Iran

Privatization of Turkish military factory draws strong criticism

The lease of the Turkish military’s prominent tank factory to the private company BMC has stirred fierce criticism.

Qatar

US sanctions hit Iranian students seeking bank accounts in Europe

While Europe says it remains committed to the nuclear deal with Iran, the US withdrawal from the accord has created overcompliance with sanctions among banks that has made life difficult for Iranian students in Europe; however, Iranian students in the United States tell Al-Monitor they have not experienced such difficulties.

United States

Syria issues coins to replace banknotes worth about a dime

Given the inflation rate and the collapse of the Syrian currency, the Central Bank of Syria issues a new 50-pound coin (worth about 10 US cents) to save on high printing (and reprinting) costs for banknotes.

Syria

Cairo food carts get street of their own

Street carts selling food, books and handmade products come together on Cairo's Street 306, a new, hip space that could become the Arab world's largest food venue.

Egypt

What’s next for Lebanon’s yellow vests?

Analysts believe the momentum recently seen in protests against Lebanon’s state incompetence will die out, as people are losing hope.

Lebanon

Report slams Jordanian governments for gross failure

Jordan’s Economic and Social Council issued a report that highlighted the failure of Jordanian governments over the past 18 years to live up to their promises and meet the people’s economic needs.

Jordan

Istanbul, the flashpoint of Turkey’s crisis and looming elections

Turkey’s commercial capital, Istanbul, is in the grips of economic turmoil, which raises the prospect of the city’s local administration changing hands after more than two decades of dominance by political Islam.

Turkey