Al-Monitor

06/17/2020

Amberin Zaman breaks down US-Turkey relations and the Kurdish question in Syria

On this week's episode of "On the Middle East," Al-Monitor senior correspondent Amberin Zaman explains the background to the Kurdish question in Syria, US-Turkey relations, and what to expect next in the now nine-year war.

Al-Monitor senior correspondent Amberin Zaman explains the background to the Kurdish question in Syria, US-Turkey relations, and what to expect next in the now nine-year war, as well as observations and advice for young journalists covering conflict and the Middle East.

06/17/2020

Photo of the Day: Fawza Umri helps his son put on clothes after being bathed inside their tent, at Atmeh refugee camp, near the Turkish border, Syria, June 13, 2020. (📸: Reuters/Khalil Ashawi)

06/17/2020

Israel's 'Silicon Valley' to further fragment East Jerusalem

Israel is preparing to begin work on a major construction project to build a tech hub in East Jerusalem known as "Silicon Wadi," but locals perceive it as a move to alter the city’s demographic makeup and infrastructure.

Israel is preparing to begin work on a project known as "Silicon Wadi" in Jerusalem in what locals perceive as another move to alter the city’s demographic makeup and infrastructure.

06/17/2020

Turkey’s economic turmoil imposing early polls on Erdogan

Turkey’s economic woes, compounded by the coronavirus pandemic, are increasingly forcing Erdogan to consider early elections, leaving him stuck between pressure to reassert his leadership and fear of losing.

Grappling with economic strains that might grow worse down the road, Turkey’s president faces an early election conundrum.

06/17/2020

Turkish courts reopen to backlog of press freedom cases

The resumption of court hearings in Turkey has press freedom advocates anxious, amid fears of a second coronavirus wave and ongoing pressure on the media covering the pandemic.

The resumption of court hearings in Turkey has press freedom advocates anxious, amid fears of a second COVID-19 wave and ongoing pressure on the media covering the pandemic.

06/17/2020

Intel: Trump administration threatens to withhold aid over Jordan’s refusal to extradite convicted terrorist

The Trump administration is considering withholding military and economic assistance to Jordan over its continued refusal to extradite a convicted terrorist who helped kill 15 people in a 2001 bomb attack in Israel.

The Donald Trump administration is considering withholding military and economic assistance to aid-dependent Jordan over its continued refusal to extradite a convicted terrorist who helped kill 15 people in a 2001 bomb attack in Israel.

06/17/2020

Despite Abbas cutting ties, security lines remain open between Israel, PA

Abbas ended security coordination with Israel last month, but Palestinian and Israeli security forces are still cooperating indirectly to keep tensions from rising.

Now that coordination with Israel has officially ended, the Palestinian security agencies are sharing indirect messages with their Israeli counterparts.

06/17/2020

Tribes become more involved in anti-terrorism operations in Sinai Peninsula

The Egyptian army has expanded its coordination with local tribe members in the Sinai Peninsula to confront militant groups in the area.

Reports have emerged about an agreement between tribal leaders and Egyptian security forces to hand over members of Islamic State in exchange for pardons.

06/17/2020

Why is Ankara pouring Turkish liras into Syria?

Taking advantage of Syria’s currency havoc, Turkish has funneled Turkish liras into areas under its control in northern Syria, suggesting that Ankara might be seeking a de facto “Turkish lira zone."

Taking advantage of Syria’s currency havoc, Ankara has funneled Turkish liras into “liberated” areas in northern Syria, but any plan to fully sideline the Syrian pound in those areas appears unrealistic.

06/17/2020

Egypt arrests prominent journalist after Al Jazeera interview

Egypt has arrested prominent journalist Mohamed Monir after he gave an interview to Qatari TV channel Al Jazeera, charging him with joining a terrorist group, spreading false news, and misusing social media.

Mohamed Monir, 65, is charged with joining a terrorist group and spreading false news.

06/17/2020

Iran’s Zarif seeks Russian support as US pressure builds

Standing next to his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov at a presser in Moscow, Zarif took aim at the IAEA, warning it of an Iranian response if the agency takes “illogical” steps toward destroying the nuclear deal.

The Iranian foreign minister went to Moscow for help against US efforts to extend an arms embargo against Iran.

06/16/2020

Battleground state Democrats warn against annexation after AIPAC greenlights criticism

Several Democrats running against Senate Republican incumbents in key battleground states are coming out against Israel's plans for annexing West Bank territory after threats of repercussions from AIPAC were taken off the table.

Eight Senate candidates in battleground states are warning Israel against annexing the West Bank after the American Israel Public Affairs Committee greenlit the criticism.

06/16/2020

Iraqi forces thwart rocket attack near US troops

Iraqi security forces stopped rockets from being fired near US troop positions north of Baghdad yesterday.

Iraq's success in stopping a rocket attack comes after dialogue with the United States on reducing US troop levels and protecting international coalition forces in the country.

06/16/2020

Photo of the Day: A remote-controlled robot built by Egyptian engineer Mahmoud El komy tests a boy for the coronavirus by running PCR tests, in Cairo, Egypt, June 12, 2020. (📸: Reuters/Mohamed Abd El Ghany) #photooftheday #potd #cairo #egypt #engineering #mechanicalengineering #robot #coronavirus #middleeast

06/16/2020

Former Israeli National Security Advisor, Uzi Arad, on Netanyahu's lose-lose annexation bid

Uzi Arad was Netanyahu's National Security Adviser from 2009 to 2011 and a lifelong friend. On this week's episode of the "On Israel" podcast, he is speaking out against the Prime Minister's plan to annex the West Bank and why it will backfire.

Uzi Arad, a once close confidante of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, sees no benefit if Israel annexes Jewish settlements in the West Bank.

06/16/2020

Black Lives Matter protests in US spark mixed reactions in Egypt

Protests in the US have drawn mixed reactions in Egypt, with government supporters and the media portraying them as anarchy and pro-democracy activists eyeing them with nostalgia.

Protests in the United States have drawn mixed reactions in Egypt, with government supporters and the media portraying them as anarchy and pro-democracy activists eyeing them with nostalgia and a sense of deja vu.

06/16/2020

Israel OK's transfer of Qatari financial aid to Gaza

Israel approved the transfer of $50 million of Qatari aid to the Gaza Strip, apparently in exchange for Hamas refraining from launching more attacks on Israeli territory.

Israel approved the transfer of $50 million to the Gaza Strip, apparently in exchange for Hamas keeping calm and refraining from resuming incendiary balloon terrorism.

06/16/2020

Hashemite white paper says Arabs were first inhabitants of Jerusalem

A white paper by an Amman-based think tank suggests 5,000 years of continuous Arab presence in Jerusalem, specifying the Hashemite custodianship of Christian and Muslim holy sites in the city.

A white paper by the Amman-based think tank the Royal Aal al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought suggests 5,000 years of continuous Arab presence in Jerusalem, specifying the Hashemite custodianship of Christian and Muslim holy sites in the city.

06/16/2020

Parliament speaker opens new conservative era in Iranian politics

New Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf is taking up the job at a time when Iran faces great challenges, with the conservatives set to dominate politics in the near future.

Parliament Speaker Mayor Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf starts his new job at a time when Iran faces great challenges, with the conservatives set to dominate Iranian politics in the near future.

06/16/2020

Iran's Rouhani warns other countries against following US arms sanctions

Iran has warned other countries on the UN Security Council to not go along with US plans to continue the arms embargo against it.

Iran has warned other countries of the United Nations Security Council to not go along with US plans to continue the arms embargo.

06/16/2020

Classic cars find life after rust in Ramallah

Omar al-Saadi has turned his Ramallah backyard into a garage for repairing vintage, classic cars, where he currently has 26 vehicles, many of them decayed by years of disuse and decay.

A Palestinian mechanic in Ramallah collects and restores classic cars, bringing relics of the past back to life.

06/16/2020

Report: King Abdullah of Jordan refused phone call with Israeli PM due to annexation

King Abdullah of Jordan reportedly refused a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as tensions between the two neighbors rise over West Bank annexation.

Jordan-Israel relations continue to worsen over Israel's plan to annex parts of the West Bank in July.

06/16/2020

Egyptian LGBTQ activist dead in suspected suicide

An LGBTQ activist jailed after waving a rainbow flag at a concert in Egypt was found dead over the weekend in a suspected suicide.

Sarah Hegazi was arrested in 2017 after raising the rainbow gay pride flag at a concert in Cairo.

06/15/2020

Tunisia’s PM says country has beaten coronavirus

As new infections slow, Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfakh says Tunisia has achieved a "victory" over COVID-19.

As new infections slow, Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfakh said Tunisia has achieved a "victory" over the virus.

06/15/2020

Turkey bombs PKK targets in northern Iraq as government's ratings sag

Dozens of US-made fighter jets, locally manufactured drones and mid-air refueling and airborne communication aircraft were deployed in “Operation Claw-Eagle” that was launched against the PKK late last night.

The early morning strikes comes as the Turkish opposition launched a march for justice and democracy today.

06/15/2020

Intel: Yemen separatists capture government convoy hauling cash to Aden

Fighters affiliated with Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council hijacked a convoy carrying billions of foreign-printed Yemeni riyals near the port of Aden on Saturday.

Fighters affiliated with Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council hijacked a convoy carrying billions of foreign-printed Yemeni riyals near the port of Aden on Saturday.

06/15/2020

As Syria’s economy teeters, US prepares sweeping sanctions

As the economic situation in Syria becomes increasingly dire, many are warning of the indirect impact new US sanctions under the so-called Caesar Act could have on civilians.

On Wednesday, the US State Department will announce the first round of targets under the so-called Caesar Act.

06/15/2020

Photo of the Day: People are seen on Oludeniz Beach complying with social distancing rules during the coronavirus pandemic, in the Fethiye district of Mugla, Turkey, June 15, 2020. (Photo by Ali Riza Akkir/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

06/15/2020

Israel’s government approves funding for Trump Heights settlement

One year after Netanyahu announced the establishment of the "Trump Heights" settlement in the Golan Heights, his Cabinet has now approved an initial construction budget.

One year after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the establishment of Trump Heights settlement in the Golan Heights, the Cabinet approves an initial construction budget.

06/15/2020

Egypt, Italy to ink major arms deal despite human rights concerns

Egypt, Italy to ink major arms deal despite human rights concerns.

#Egypt #Italy

Italy is expected to approve its largest ever military deal with Egypt despite opposition from some Italian parties.

06/15/2020

Asylum-seekers in Israel face additional hardships over coronavirus

Asylum-seekers in Israel are now losing their jobs and social security over the coronavirus outbreak.

#Israel #Covid19

Asylum-seekers in Israel are now losing their jobs and social security over the coronavirus outbreak.

06/15/2020

Sharm el-Sheikh prepares for antiquities museum opening

Sharm el-Sheikh prepares for antiquities museum opening.

#Egypt #Tourism

Egypt is getting ready to open the first antiquities museum in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh later this year, in the hope of boosting the tourism sector that has been badly affected by the coronavirus lockdown.

06/15/2020

Ethiopian military leader calls out Egypt over Nile dam dispute

Ethiopian military leader calls out Egypt over Nile dam dispute. Ethiopia's deputy army chief said his country can "conduct war" as talks continue.

#Ethiopia #Egypt #Nile

Ethiopia's deputy army chief said his country can "conduct war" as talks continue.

06/15/2020

Lebanon’s central bank to inject dollars as currency crashes

This morning, Monday 15th, the central bank in Lebanon is set to inject fresh dollars into the market [...] after protests reignited over deteriorating living conditions and a collapsing currency.

Will it work?

#Lebanon #LebanonProtests

The Lebanese pound trades at roughly 6,000 to the US dollar on the black market; Lebanese officials take action to try to get the parallel market under 4,000 to the dollar.

06/15/2020

Netanyahu’s annexation plan now in Gantz, Ashkenazi’s hands

Netanyahu’s annexation plan now in Gantz, Ashkenazi’s hands. Defense Minister Benny Gantz and Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi must now make up their minds about backing annexation.

#Israel #Annexation

Defense Minister Benny Gantz and Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi must now make up their minds about backing annexation.