Al-Monitor Daily Briefing: Rouhani moves to leverage unrest to loosen IRGC grip on economy

[logo]( [fb_icon]( [twitter_icon]( EDITOR'S PICKS Tuesday, January 23 | Daily Briefing [By: Mohammad Ali Shabani on Monday, Jan. 22, 2018]( Iran 1 [Rouhani moves to leverage unrest to loosen IRGC grip on economy]( The Hassan Rouhani administration appears to be leveraging the recent protests in Iran to continue pushing for its agenda of greater accountability and lesser military involvement in the economy. Turkey 2 [Conflicting reports emerge as Turkey's Olive Branch rakes Afrin]( In the chaos of Turkey's offensive in Afrin, Syria, both the Turks and Syrian Kurdish militants continue to claim the upper hand and dismiss each other's casualty reports as propaganda. Gulf 3 [As Yemeni riyal is in free fall, worst may be yet to come]( The Yemeni riyal's loss of more than 15% of its value in a matter of days will make establishing peace more difficult by exacerbating inequality. Syria 4 [Syrian stakeholders woo tribes to influence country's future]( After the defeat of IS in Raqqa, the still-warring Syrian regime and opposition forces as well as outside interested parties are trying to win over Syrian tribes to their sides to guarantee their roles in determining Syria's direction. Israel 5 [Israel’s Hamas dilemma]( Israel blames Hamas for the suffering faced by Gaza's residents yet ignores its own contribution to the suffering caused by years of closure. 6 [Iran 'concerned' by Turkish assault on northern Syria]( While Iran has expressed its concerns that Turkey’s operations against Kurds in northern Syria will further inflame the war, it didn't outright condemn the offensive. Israel 7 [Why Israel-Jordan crisis lasted so long]( After a tough reconciliation effort, Israel and Jordan have mended relations from the crisis that erupted over the shooting incident in Amman. Palestine 8 [Can Palestinians bear halt of US aid?]( As the United States withholds more than half of its financial contribution to UNRWA, fears arise about the repercussions the decision will have on the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian economy. Israel 9 [Jerusalem community center offers new tune to ultra-Orthodox]( Abiya Beit Midrash community center opens new perspectives for ultra-Orthodox young people who are curious about what goes on beyond their sector. STAY CONNECTED [fb_icon_footer]( [twitter_icon_footer]( [instagram_icon_footer]( [rss_icon_footer]( CONTACT US [Support & Contact]( [Advertise](mailto:advertise@al-monitor.com) NEWSLETTERS [Subscribe]( TERMS OF USE [Visitor Agreement]( [Privacy Policy]( © 2017 Al-Monitor. All Rights Reserved. If you no longer wish to receive these emails you may [unsubscribe or manage your preferences]( at any time. Al-Monitor · 1850 K St NW · Suite 1225 · Washington, DC 20006 · USA