Al-Monitor Daily Briefing: Putin, Erdogan agree on Idlib but maneuver on Kurds

[logo]( [fb_icon]( [twitter_icon]( EDITOR'S PICKS Friday, January 25 | Daily Briefing [By: Maxim A. Suchkov on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019]( Russia / Mideast 1 [Putin, Erdogan agree on Idlib but maneuver on Kurds]( While Moscow and Ankara agreed to reinforce cooperation on Idlib to fight Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, Putin's proposal on the "buffer zone" in Syria's northeast sent Erdogan home thinking, at least until the next round of Astana talks Gulf 2 [Qatar challenges Saudi influence in Lebanon]( There has been a vacuum created by a decline of Saudi influence in Lebanon that Qatar now seeks to fill. Turkey 3 [Erdogan urges Maduro to 'stand tall']( Turkey’s president remains a strong defender of Venezuela’s embattled leader, calling Nicolas Maduro a democratically elected leader who must be respected. Washington 4 [Pentagon’s Iron Dome buy raises questions on US troop protection]( The Pentagon has agreed to acquire Israel’s Iron Dome to intercept cruise missiles, but experts are questioning whether the system can effectively defend US troops. Iran 5 [Can mayor's push for 'car-free Tuesdays' tackle Tehran's air pollution?]( Tehran's new mayor has joined an eco-friendly campaign aimed at cutting the megacity's air pollution and traffic congestion by encouraging residents to use public transportation. Some have criticized the move as a mere public relations gesture. Israel 6 [Will seven politicians 'Unite4Israel'?]( An election campaign to unite seven Israeli public figures to defeat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his associates reflects the current distress of the liberal peace camp. Washington 7 [Congress poised to put Saudi Arabia on the hook for millions in military training]( Lawmakers estimate ending security assistance could cost Riyadh up to $30 million. Israel 8 [Israel’s president hails interfaith dialogue]( President Reuven Rivlin has become the one voice that Europeans refer to when they seek Israeli figures ready for Mideast religious coexistence. Egypt 9 [Egypt's new administrative capital getting its own 'Nile']( Egypt has undertaken an ambitious project within an ambitious project, to provide its new, green capital with its own river. 10 [Tunisian president under fire for alleged abuse of power]( Ethics watchdogs are taking the Tunisian president to court, accusing him of corruption for ordering the release of a political ally who has served less than three months of a two-year sentence. Egypt 11 [Ancient Egyptian designs mingle with Scandinavian minimalism]( A hands-on program brings Danish design students to workshops in Damietta and the Nile Valley. Turkey 12 [Erdogan's newfound love for cannabis]( For decades, the Turkish government took pride in burning cannabis fields in its battle against PKK terror. Now, a boasting Erdogan leads Islamists in celebrating industrial hemp cultivation as a method of resistance to the West. Iraq 13 [Iraqi Kurdistan parties move to form new Cabinet]( After a lengthy deadlock, Iraqi Kurdistan's main political parties have agreed to form a new government. Palestine 14 [Ramallah's got talent: A new platform presents it]( Sard, a Ramallah-based creative initiative, provides budding celebrities and inspired amateurs with a stage to present their talent and tell their stories. Egypt 15 [Egypt’s activists fear new law on mounting cameras in public spaces]( Egypt’s parliament approved a bill forcing shop and restaurant owners to install surveillance cameras under the pretext of preventing terrorist activities. Iran 16 [Iran’s former envoy to Germany slams ‘rogue operations’ abroad]( The former Iranian ambassador to Germany suggested the possibility that rogue actors could be behind attempts to carry out alleged assassination operations in Europe. 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]( © 2019 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