Al-Monitor Daily Briefing: Putin, Netanyahu break ground on deeper Russia-Israel engagement

[logo]( [fb_icon]( [twitter_icon]( EDITOR'S PICKS Friday, April 5 | Daily Briefing [By: Maxim A. Suchkov on Thursday, Apr. 4, 2019]( Russia / Mideast 1 [Putin, Netanyahu break ground on deeper Russia-Israel engagement]( The Israeli prime minister and the Russian president seemed to be on the same page on Syria and committed to closer ties during talks in Moscow. Turkey 2 [Turkey’s state-run news agency under fire for irregular poll coverage]( Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency is under fire for its bizarre coverage of the Istanbul mayoral race, during which the agency stopped reporting polling results when it became clear the opposition was bound for victory. Washington 3 [Pentagon nixes Turkish offer to address S-400 fears]( The Pentagon will not consider a Turkish proposal to create a bilateral working group to temper US fears over Ankara’s looming acquisition of the Russian S-400 air defense system. Iran 4 [How this blockchain startup could help people transform traffic in Iran]( A private sector Iranian blockchain startup is offering a unique mix of decentralized facilities that could enable the general public to meaningfully tackle traffic congestion in Iran and beyond. Israel 5 [Arab Israelis alienated by both top candidates as vote approaches]( As the two leading candidates for the Israeli premiership reject the idea of a coalition with Arab parties, it’s no wonder that Arab citizens are not planning to vote. Washington 6 [Congress stares down Trump on Yemen war]( After five votes, Congress has finally passed a bill ending US support for the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen, but it faces a likely veto from President Donald Trump. Palestine 7 [Palestinian Authority blames Hamas for lack of progress]( The Palestinian Authority accuses Hamas of impeding the PA's diplomatic efforts in international forums by launching rockets into Israel. Meanwhile, Hamas and Israel have a tentative truce. Israel 8 [Israeli elections: Where is the economy?]( Contrary to previous election campaigns, which focused on the dire economic situation, the main themes of the current campaign are the scandals surrounding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and questions about Blue and White head Benny Gantz’s personality. Lebanon 9 [What's next for Lebanon's blood shortage?]( Donner Sang Compter, a Lebanese nongovernmental group, has staged hundreds of blood donation events to take some of the pressure off patients who need blood. Egypt 10 [Egypt takes another whack at fuel subsidies]( Egypt's draft budget for fiscal year 2019/20 includes a 42% cut in fuel subsidies, raising concerns among drivers across the country. Iraq 11 [Iraq fears bevy of levees will mean parched years ahead]( Although the water level is high this year in the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, Turkey's imminent filling of the Ilisu Dam reservoir is raising concerns about Iraq's water flow next year and for years to come. Turkey 12 [The economic balance sheet of Turkey’s local elections]( The ruling party's loss of major economic centers in local elections deprives it of major resources amid a bruising economic 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]( © 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