Al-Monitor Daily Briefing: Jordan’s political elite warn of more protests if reforms are ignored

[logo]( [fb_icon]( [twitter_icon]( EDITOR'S PICKS Monday, July 2 | Daily Briefing [By: Osama Al Sharif on Friday, Jun. 29, 2018]( Jordan 1 [Jordan’s political elite warn of more protests if reforms are ignored]( Jordanians are pinning high hopes on the Omar Razzaz government, but failure to meet expectations could trigger wider public protests. Israel 2 [Is Israel's justice minister determined to undermine the judicial system?]( Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked's proposal to let Israeli ministries select their own legal advisers reflects an alarmingly undemocratic political trend. Iran 3 [Iran's national team sees popularity boost, but not just because of World Cup]( The siege mentality that is re-emerging with the return of US sanctions appears to have acted to rally Iranians around the national soccer squad. Iraq 4 [Floating oil island will handle Iraq's expected spurt in exports]( Now that OPEC has approved an increase in oil production, Iraq expects to boost its exports significantly, and to accommodate that increase, South Oil Co. will develop a floating oil island. Palestine 5 [Hamas-Fatah feud heats up as talk of Abbas successor intensifies]( Hamas members of parliament fear that the Palestinian Central Council will try to withdraw some of the powers of the Palestinian Legislative Council. Egypt 6 [Egyptians divided as Sisi continues to extend state of emergency]( Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi extended a nationwide state of emergency for the fifth time since April 2017, as some questioned the necessity of this move. Washington 7 [US pushes for Plan B in Syria]( Facing the collapse of a US-backed de-escalation zone in Syria’s southwest, the Donald Trump administration is split on plans to counter thousands of Iranian troops in the war-torn country. 8 [Fight over oil offers opportunity to protect Libya's wealth]( Gen. Khalifa Hifter’s Libyan National Army forces have retaken Libya's strategic oil crescent region and announced that the rogue Benghazi-based National Oil Corporation will now administer it. Palestine 9 [Palestinians condemn Trump's proposed peace plan]( Fatah has come out swinging against what it says is the US administration’s unilateral effort to impose a Mideast peace plan that greatly favors Israel. Syria 10 [South Syria offensive rages as thousands flee]( Thousands of Syrians were forced to leave their homes in southern Syria, where government forces have escalated the offensive to retake the strategic rebel-held area. Israel 11 [Netanyahu faces international scrutiny on Jerusalem]( In his meeting with the UK’s Prince William, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu avoided the issue of the prince’s refusal to meet with Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat in his municipality office. Palestine 12 [Sufi women blazing a new trail in Nablus]( A unique group of some 40 women come together each week at a religious school in Nablus to practice Sufi rituals and study the faith. Palestine 13 [Hamas courtship of Russia could lead to win-win romance]( A Hamas delegation recently visited Moscow to discuss various issues, ranging from the anticipated US peace plan to Moscow possibly brokering a Palestinian reconciliation. 14 [IS killings and kidnappings in central Iraq raise questions]( The desert area west of Salahuddin and other depopulated areas have faced a spate of kidnappings and killings claimed by the Islamic State. Syria 15 [Syrian opposition has high hopes for US-Turkish road map for Manbij]( The US-Turkish road map for Manbij has entered the second of three phases, leading some to believe it might spare the area further bloodshed. Egypt 16 [Egypt delivers Friday sermons in English, French]( The Egyptian Ministry of Awqaf is teaching imams and preachers foreign languages in order for them to deliver Friday sermons in French and English and spread moderate teachings of Islam in tourist areas. 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]( © 2018 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