News

By Djavad Salehi-Isfahani In December 2010, Iran introduced an ambitious energy subsidy reform that combined large price increases for fuel with generous cash transfers. This column explains the key lesson: that despite severe flaws in the programme’s implementation,...more

By Beata Javorcik, Alessia Lo Turco and Daniela Maggioni Inflows of foreign direct investment can act as a catalyst for domestic firms to develop sophisticated manufacturing products, according to evidence from Turkey presented in this column. The authors conclude that...more

By Jad Chaaban There is widespread discontent and social unrest in the Arab world, a direct result of decades of failed economic and political transitions led by largely autocratic regimes. This column argues that economic development thinkers...more

By Caroline Krafft with Caitlyn Keo At a time when young people in MENA countries face an increasingly protracted and difficult transition to adulthood, how can housing policy help them to marry and form independent households?...more

By Kilian Heilmann The use of trade policy tools such as boycotts, embargoes and sanctions has become increasingly prevalent in international conflicts. This column reports research that examines the impact of politically motivated...more

By Alban Thomas Vehicle exhaust fumes are a major cause of air pollution in megacities like Cairo. This column outlines the policies that the Egyptian authorities have introduced in an effort to cut emission rates and raise the costs to users... Read More

Articles in this issue: Algeria–Mali trade: the normality of informality, Sami Bensassi, Anne Brockmeyer, Mathieu Pellerin & Gaël Raballand The determinants of voting for Islamists in Egypt’s first post-revolution elections 2011–2012, May Attallah The nexus between internal and external macroeconomic imbalances: evidence... Read More

By Michele Tuccio and Jackline Wahba Migration can be responsible for the spread of new social norms about gender roles. This column explores the impact of temporary migration from Jordan to more conservative and highly unequal neighbouring countries...more

By Simon Neaime New legislation by the Lebanese government, which provides a big boost to the salaries of public sector employees, puts considerable pressure on the country’s public finances...more