Economics and Policy A controversial pipeline between Iraqi Kurdistan and Turkey, which would allow the Kurdish Regional Government to export hydrocarbons without the backing of Baghdad, is almost complete. More from Iraq Oil Report US President Barack Obama has defended his policy of drone strikes in the MIddle East and elsewhere, but has promised to close Guantanamo Bay. More from The BBC A senior Palestinian official yesterday expressed pessimism about returning to negotiations with Israel as John Kerry, the US secretary of state, continued his efforts to revive the deadlocked peace process. More from The National Tunisia is in talks with Qatar over a deposit in Tunis' central bank "with easy conditions" Prime Minister Ali Larayedh said on Thursday. More from Reuters Companies and Business Three Lebanese startup companies have just been given a boost of $1.15 million to expand their operations regionally. More from The
