COVID-19 leads to more inequality in the Middle East
CGTN
As countries around the world went into lockdown in response to the COVID-19 pandemic early last year, two outcomes seemed possible. One was the possibility that a common threat might lead to similar responses and a sense of greater unity and cooperation between countries. The other was a more pessimistic view that existing inequalities would be exacerbated as the "haves" would use their greater access to resources and opportunities to respond to the health crisis, leaving the "have-nots" behind.
In the case of the Middle East, the result has not been one or the other. Instead, it has been a combination of the two. At the same time, the region is also facing several new issues and challenges that were not present this time last year.