Economy and trade

Petra bus attack exposes divisions within local Jordanian community

A recent attack on a tourist bus in Petra seems linked to ongoing tensions between the Bdoul and Layathna tribes, who compete with each other for revenues in Petra’s souvenir and tourism hospitality economy.

Jordan

Can trade dialogue help improve Turkish-US ties?

Amid the lingering threat of US sanctions on Turkey over its purchase of Russian missiles, US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross paid a long visit to Turkey, leading many to believe bilateral trade will be set apart from the political rows between the two countries.

Syria

Palestinians preparing for their day in court against Israel

The Palestinian leadership is preparing briefs to present to the International Court of Arbitration in The Hague to address Israeli violations of the Paris Protocol, which governs their economic and trade relations.

Palestine

Investors, economists see Egypt’s new mining law as promising

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi approved a new law on mining that would help promote the mineral sector by attracting foreign investors and regularizing the industry.

Egypt

Is Belarus scheming against Russia's reconstruction policies in Syria?

Belarus is tacitly promoting its own businesses in Syria, but not all of them are necessarily to the detriment of the Russians.

Syria

How much are Israel's elections costing it?

With only about 70% of Israelis bothering to vote, maybe it's time to reconsider election day being a national holiday and therefore a paid vacation day for workers.

Israel

Intel: Why Russia boosts Iran even as Tehran pares nuclear deal commitments

Despite their differences on Syria, Russia needs a stronger Iran as its partner.

Russia

What did Sisi discuss in Kuwait?

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi met with Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah during a visit to Kuwait, to discuss economic and security cooperation as well as regional developments.

Kuwait

The interplay between exchange rates and inflation in Iran

While the Iranian rial has strengthened against the dollar, inflation remains high, and the budget deficit is not helping the matter.

Iran

Crisis-hit Turkey suffers erosion in investments

Turkey’s economic downturn has been marked by a dramatic decline in investments, both private and public, bearing heavily on joblessness.

Turkey

Video game exec encourages independent developers in Mideast

Hussam Al-Natour, founder of Rababa Gaming, describes the challenges and potential of the Mideast’s video game industry.

Jordan

Egypt’s rate cut to boost property, gold and stock markets

Egypt’s central bank recently slashed key interest rates by 1.5%, triggering public concerns about a possible depreciation of the local currency.

Egypt