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2025 Corruption Index: Modest Positive Developments in the Arab World
The results of the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), released last week by Transparency International, reveal a deep political crisis in concepts of leadership and accountability—one that extends from fragile states to Western democracies that have long presented themselves as models of good governance. The index, which assessed 182 countries and territories and drew on…
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MBN’s Cost of Living Index: How Many Hours Cover a Day’s Food?
According to FAO estimates, an individual requires approximately 2000–2100 calories per day merely to survive. A family of four, therefore, needs roughly 9,000 calories daily, translating to around 270,000 calories per month. This calculation starkly reveals how the cost of food alone becomes a daily challenge for those earning the minimum wage. When the minimum…
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Arab – Israeli Trade: Big Growth, Unclear Impact
The Arab–Israeli peace process didn’t start with the Abraham Accords in 2020. Its story goes back decades. In 1979, Egypt signed the Camp David Accords with Israel. Then came Oslo in 1993 with the Palestinians, and the Wadi Araba Treaty with Jordan in 1994. Other Arab states tested the waters too. Morocco in 1994, Tunisia…