Al-Monitor Daily Briefing: NATO training mission faces challenges in Iraq

[logo]( [fb_icon]( [twitter_icon]( EDITOR'S PICKS Friday, August 31 | Daily Briefing [By: Joseph Hammond on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018]( 1 [NATO training mission faces challenges in Iraq]( NATO training mission is expanding in Iraq, but the mission could empower Iranian-backed elements in the Iraqi state. Palestine 2 [US cuts millions of dollars' worth of aid to Palestinians]( The United States continues to cut funds that had been designated as aid for the Gaza Strip and West Bank, this time withholding hundreds of millions of dollars. Jordan 3 [Jordan can't afford to lose UNRWA battle]( The row over UNRWA, including its funding, may strain bilateral relations between Jordan and the United States, as Amman rallies international partners to step in and compensate for the suspension of US funding. Iran 4 [Zarif: Even America’s allies not immune to US sanctions]( During an unannounced trip to Turkey, Iran’s foreign minister warned America’s allies that they are not immune to US pressure. Israel 5 [Israel’s ‘Mizrahi revolution’ enters a new stage]( Education Minister Naftali Bennett is acting to include works by Mizrahi figures in literature and poetry in the school curriculum. Palestine 6 [FIFA red cards Palestinian soccer leader]( The latest FIFA decision to ban Palestinian Football Association president Jibril Rajoub points to the world soccer association’s possible shift in its actions toward Israel and Palestine. Iraq 7 [Iraqis split over US military decision to stay in Iraq]( Iraqi Shiite politicians and armed groups close to the parties in power disagree over the international coalition’s announcement that it will keep its forces in the country. Israel 8 [Israeli rightwing party aims at one million settlers]( HaBayit HaYehudi Party Chairman Naftali Bennett said that he is aiming for 1 million settlers in the West Bank by the end of next year. Iran 9 [Iran turns to economic zones to encourage balanced growth]( Iranian lawmakers have approved a bill to establish a series of new special economic zones to counter the country's uneven development. Turkey 10 [Turkish millennials seek their own literary heroes]( Millennials and post-millennials read differently than their elders, as they are faster in skimming, better in sharing and interested in interactive literary works. Israel 11 [Israel continues to deny travel permits to Gaza cancer patients]( Despite its acknowledged humanitarian responsibility toward the residents of Gaza, a ruling by the Israeli Supreme Court to allow five cancer-stricken relatives of Hamas members to travel for treatment is a notable exception to policy. Turkey 12 [Top Turkish bank official resigns as lira drops further]( A deputy governor of Turkey's Central Bank quit suddenly today as the lira took yet another tumble. Palestine 13 [Mobile Palestinian police unit begins work in Area C]( Palestinian police in the West Bank launched their first mobile police station in Hebron, which is under Israeli control, to help locals submit complaints. Palestine 14 [Will Hamas, Israel call Qatar-brokered truce?]( Qatar has been increasingly involved in talks between Hamas and Israel in what raises questions about its exploitation of the Gaza card in the Gulf crisis. 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