October 19, 2015 – Our Weekly Selection
Our weekly roundup of articles on Syria’s economy and society.
The Impact of Syrians Refugees on the Turkish Labor Market: “This paper combines newly available data on the 2014 distribution of Syrian refugees across subregions of Turkey with the Turkish Labour Force Survey, to assess the impact on Turkish labor market conditions.”
As Syria’s struggles continue, we see traveling ghosts and unraveling hosts: “Germany’s changing tone on migrants may have fed the flow but the massive surge in refugees predates the famous Merkel statements about letting in hundreds of thousands.”
Syria Refugee Crisis: Supporting Mashreq Countries in their Development Agenda: “Sixty decision-making representatives from Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Tunisia, Turkey and European countries affected by the refugee crisis, gathered to discuss the long term development implications of the refugee crisis in the Mashreq.”
The Economic Outlook for the Middle East and North Africa – October 2015: “Economic growth in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is stagnating. The World Bank projects overall GDP growth to be less than 3% for the third year running—about 2.8% for 2015. Low oil prices, conflicts, and the global economic slowdown make short-term prospects of recovery unlikely.”
ISIS Makes Millions From The Sale Of Oil In War-Torn Syria And Iraq: “NPR’s Kelly McEvers talks to Erika Solomon of the Financial Times about why it’s been so challenging to disrupt the Islamic State’s oil production in territory it controls in northern Syria and Iraq.”
Isis Inc: how oil fuels the jihadi terrorists: “Jihadis’ oil operation forces even their enemies to trade with them.”
The Surprising Link Between California’s Drought and Syria: “Scientists find connection between droughts in the Golden State and the Fertile Crescent.”
Refugee crisis: Smugglers offer ‘seasonal discounts’ to Syrian refugees as oceans turn wild: “Sea crossings traditionally dwindle in the winter months, when stormy weather whips up the waves in the Mediterranean.”
Hunger Drives Refugees Back To Syria: “Facing hunger, Syrian refugees in Jordan are forced to return to Syria to find food. NPR’s Rachel Martin speaks with Ertharin Cousin, executive director of the World Food Programme.”
Widow Turns to Organ Trade to Provide for Family: “Organ trade seen as last resort for Syrians facing dire economic hardship.”
Assad Regime Prohibits Trading of Foreign Currencies: “Violation carries prison sentence of up to 15 years and applies to all Syrian and foreign residents, reports government news source.”