Al-Monitor Daily Briefing: How the release of a US pastor improves Turkey’s standing with Trump

[logo]( [fb_icon]( [twitter_icon]( EDITOR'S PICKS Friday, October 12 | Daily Briefing [editor_pic]( 1 [How the release of a US pastor improves Turkey’s standing with Trump]( A Turkish court ordered the release of a US citizen today, giving President Donald Trump a victory to tout ahead of congressional elections in November. Turkey 2 [Ankara pins electoral hopes on ignoring economic realities]( The Turkish government’s vacillations and zigzagging in the face of the country’s economic woes reflect how squeezed it has become economically and politically and how concerned it is about it with elections scheduled for March. Israel 3 [Netanyahu generates Iran-phobia, to continue occupation]( By focusing and promoting the Iran-phobia, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hopes to conceal from the world the status-quo policy he espouses against the Palestinians. Washington 4 [Trump weighs Saudi Arabia’s fate in Khashoggi affair]( The US president said “a lot of work” is being done on the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi and promised “there'll be something that has to take place.” Palestine 5 [Gazans seem to consider Hamas lesser of two evils]( Despite attempts by Israel to turn Gazans against Hamas, they appear unwilling to opt for another party or authority to control the Gaza Strip. Israel 6 [Israeli ministers fear attacking Netanyahu]( Leaders of coalition parties are avoiding any anti-Netanyahu campaign, assuming that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will also be the one forming the next government. Washington 7 [Democrats’ promised Trump probes threaten to sweep up Mideast allies]( Key US allies could be caught in the crosshairs as Democrats plan extensive investigations into President Donald Trump’s policies and business dealings should they win in November. Egypt 8 [Will Egypt opt for controversial steps to fight tax evasion?]( Economists in Egypt are condemning statements by the head of the Egyptian Tax Authority, whereby the Ministry of Finance might be granted access to the bank accounts of some customers and companies in a bid to reduce tax evasion. Iran 9 [Iran’s security forces face calls for accountability in wake of terrorist attack]( The Sept. 22 terrorist attack in the southwestern city of Ahvaz has raised an unprecedented call for Iran’s military and security forces to be held accountable. Palestine 10 [Jerusalem artist explores city's evolution by combining archival, new photos]( Photographer Jack Persekian combines photos taken in the late 19th century with his own careful shots of the same places to tell the story of the city's tumultuous history. Israel 11 [How Gaza brings Israel, Qatar closer]( Israel considers Qatari financial aid to Gaza a lifeline with the potential to prevent or at least postpone another war in the south. 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