Al-Monitor Daily Briefing: Israel torn between Saudi Arabia, Turkey on Khashoggi affair

[logo]( [fb_icon]( [twitter_icon]( EDITOR'S PICKS Thursday, October 18 | Daily Briefing [editor_pic]( 1 [Israel torn between Saudi Arabia, Turkey on Khashoggi affair]( For Israel’s leadership, the anti-Iran alliance with Saudi Arabia is more important than reacting on the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Turkey 2 [Is the Idlib buffer plan really implemented?]( The Turkish-Russian deal for a demilitarized zone in Idlib is not going on as planned, with radical groups keeping their positions and lingering uncertainty on the scale of the pullout of heavy weaponry. Washington 3 [Pompeo defends US-Saudi relations amid mounting criticism]( Secretary of State Mike Pompeo defended himself from criticism that he appeared too eager to maintain business-as-usual relations with the Saudis, following the suspected gruesome murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. Iraq 4 [Iraq's PMU militia wants its own soccer club]( The Popular Mobilization Units, an Iraqi military organization, seek to enter the world of sports by establishing a club to compete in official soccer events. Palestine 5 [Ongoing blockade will cause Gaza to explode in the face of Israel, Hamas warns]( Employees are being laid off and shops are closing down in the cash-strapped Gaza Strip, while the World Bank warns that the economy is collapsing after a decadelong blockade. Washington 6 [After Brunson, Congress demands Egypt release US prisoner]( Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., says he won’t release $105 million in US military aid unless Cairo releases Egyptian-American Moustafa Kassem. Lebanon 7 [Exhibition at Tripoli's International Fair explores time and collapse]( The opening of the exhibition “Cycles of Collapsing Progress” at the Rachid Karami International Fair reignited interest in one of the most ambitious works by the influential Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer. Iran 8 [Big score for Iranian women as doors open to men's soccer games]( For the first time since 1979, Iranian women are allowed to watch men's soccer matches in Tehran despite stubborn and stiff opposition from hard-liners. Russia / Mideast 9 [Commentary: Can Russia make a positive change in Libya?]( Reports on the increase of Russian military presence in Libya sparked international controversy and triggered a debate within Russia over the need for a presence in the distant Mediterranean country. Russia indeed eyes a bigger role in the conflict, but one different from what the reports ascribe Moscow to play. Egypt 10 [Can Libya’s tribes help solve crisis?]( In an interview with Al-Monitor, the head of the Supreme Council of the Tuareg Tribes, Mawlay Qudeidi, speaks about the clashes between rival militias in Tripoli, the security situation and illegal immigration in the south, as well as the elections pushed for by the United Nations. Turkey 11 [Opposition to US consulting firm reveals Erdogan’s weak spots]( Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan appears as the savior of the Turkish economy after revoking the decision to work with McKinsey and thereby preventing American involvement — all at the expense of his son-in-law’s professional reputation. Egypt 12 [Egyptians outraged by wedding photos as ancient sites tapped for revenue]( Egypt's cash-strapped Ministry of Antiques is making money from renting out historical venues, but the public is less than pleased with archaeological venues being used for private events. 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