Al-Monitor Daily Briefing: Saudi Arabia's shifting narrative on Khashoggi reveals fragility

[logo]( [fb_icon]( [twitter_icon]( EDITOR'S PICKS Monday, October 22 | Daily Briefing [By: Bruce Riedel on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018]( Gulf 1 [Saudi Arabia's shifting narrative on Khashoggi reveals fragility]( The Khashoggi affair is the latest example of how Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has become a liability for Saudi Arabia. Washington 2 [Trump policies fire up evangelicals but divide Middle East Christians]( The US president is highlighting Middle East policies championed by American Christians as he seeks to energize his evangelical base ahead of next month’s elections. Syria 3 [Syrian High Negotiations Committee under fire]( Activists in northern Syrian have formed a movement to oust the High Negotiations Committee, which they say isn't representing their demands. Israel 4 [Israeli activists call out military academy for messianic teachings]( Human rights activist and attorney Yair Nehorai is petitioning the Supreme Court to halt the state funding of the Bnei David Military Preparatory Academy, which he claims advances a messianic worldview and is working to undermine democracy. Turkey 5 [Turkey’s Protestants see silver lining in Brunson ordeal]( A representative of Turkey’s Protestant Christians talks to Al-Monitor about how the politically charged trial of their co-religionist, American pastor Andrew Brunson, affected the tiny community. Egypt 6 [Egypt celebrates new airport servicing Giza Plateau]( Egypt's new Sphinx International Airport promises to facilitate travel in Giza as tourism further rebounds in the area. Iraq 7 [Iraq's major Dawa Party rethinks course after electoral fumble]( Iraq's Islamic Dawa Party has been doing some soul-searching since losing the premiership for the first time in 14 years. Iraq 8 [Expert: Iraq vulnerable to major security breach]( As Iraq's security forces have weakened and violence has increased, observers question whether the country could handle a possible resurgence of terrorists. Russia / Mideast 9 [Putin, Sisi take Russia-Egypt relations to 'strategic level']( Moscow and Cairo signed a strategic cooperation agreement that is supposed to open new venues for bilateral relations in the military, political and cultural domains. Iran 10 [Tehran set for yet another mayor amid Reformist infighting]( Tehran is set to get yet another mayor amid ongoing infighting among the Reformists. The question is whether the next internal mayoral vote will put an end to the bickering. Israel 11 [Netanyahu ignores Gaza violence, throws IDF chief to wolves]( The Israeli prime minister's predictable scapegoating of the IDF head is much easier than formulating a coherent policy on Gaza — and more politically profitable, too. Egypt 12 [Egypt promotes government bonds on international tour]( Egypt is marketing its treasury bonds in Europe and Asia, though some analysts worry that expanding foreign debt will negatively affect the local economy. 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