Al-Monitor Daily Briefing: Yemen war escalates as Houthis threaten UAE, Saudi Arabia

[logo]( [fb_icon]( [twitter_icon]( EDITOR'S PICKS Monday, July 30 | Daily Briefing [By: Bruce Riedel on Sunday, Jul. 29, 2018]( Gulf 1 [Yemen war escalates as Houthis threaten UAE, Saudi Arabia]( Escalating threats by Yemen's Houthi rebels indicate the group is still not intimidated by the Saudi-led coalition, portending more suffering for Yemeni civilians. 2 [Is Russia a better fit than the EU to help relieve Iran from sanctions?]( While Iran would prefer EU help when it comes to relief from US sanctions, Moscow might be better suited to this role than Europeans. Israel 3 [Israeli Druze feel abandoned over new Nationality Law]( The Israeli Druze community feels that the Nationality Law turns them into second-class citizens, ignoring their loyalty and contribution to the state. 4 [Russia-Turkey ties face 'moment of truth' over Syria's Idlib]( Presidents Putin and Erdogan met on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Johannesburg to discuss growing tensions over Idlib, where Russia and Turkey may be facing their moment of truth. Egypt 5 [Egypt approves green bonds to boost eco-friendly projects]( Experts are doubting the effectiveness of green bonds in Egypt, as the economic situation is staggering and awareness about the importance of sustainable and eco-friendly projects is rare in the country. Iran 6 [Iran's president mired in palace intrigue amid rising US pressure]( While fighting US pressure as well as radicals at home, Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani is mired in a rivalry within his own inner circle. Syria 7 [Turkey makes payout to families of FSA fighters killed in Afrin operation]( The Turkish government has paid the families of Free Syrian Army militants killed in Operation Olive Branch a death gratuity, though the families of those Syrians killed in other operations are still waiting for aid. Israel 8 [Israeli protesters seek return to destroyed West Bank settlements]( Settlers are now demanding to cancel the disengagement out of four West Bank settlements destroyed in the framework of the 2005 Gaza withdrawal. Egypt 9 [Egypt launches massive wind farm]( Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi launched several projects, including one of the largest wind farms in the world, which experts say will help the country overcome its crippling power crisis. Iraq 10 [Iranian Sunni leader makes appeal to Iraq's top Shiite cleric]( Iran’s prominent Sunni leader, Molavi Abdul Hamid, sent a letter to Iraqi Shiite cleric Ali al-Sistani requesting that he act as a mediator between Iran's Sunni community and the government. Egypt 11 [Egyptian street dancers face fines, jail time over 'Kiki challenge']( Egypt's religious and law enforcement authorities have demanded Egyptians stop participating in an internet trend that has people dancing alongside moving cars. Palestine 12 [Qatari envoy to Gaza rouses Hamas' ire]( Palestinians have expressed their anger at the Qatari ambassador’s statements in which he claimed that Hamas and Israel are conducting secret negations to avoid war. 13 [Tunisian economy continues to struggle]( The Tunisian government just received another part of its loan from the International Monetary Fund and assures citizens it is taking appropriate measures to solve the country's economic crisis. Palestine 14 [EU condemns Israel's new nationality law]( The European Union is concerned by Israel's new law defining a Jewish nation-state, protesting that it is discriminatory and will hinder a two-state solution. Iran 15 [Iranian teenage dancer's arrest sparks backlash as tolerance for radicalism drops]( The backlash in the wake of Iran’s arrest of an Iranian teenage girl for posting dance clips on social media highlights significantly reduced tolerance for hard-liner excesses among the public. Turkey 16 [Is Turkey refusing to register new Syrian refugees?]( Istanbul denies claims from Human Rights Watch that Turkey has stopped registering Syrian refugees. Israel 17 [Israeli lawmaker in uphill battle to rein in local corruption]( Knesset member Roy Folkman heads a not very popular battle against corruption in local politics. 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