Al-Monitor Daily Briefing: Four years in Syria, Russia expands military base, eyes challenges ahead

If you have trouble reading this email, [view it in a browser](. [logo]( [fb_icon]( [twitter_icon]( EDITOR'S PICKS Wednesday, October 2 | Daily Briefing [By: Anton Mardasov on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2019]( Russia / Mideast 1 [Four years in Syria, Russia expands military base, eyes challenges ahead]( After four years of fighting in Syria, Russia expands military facilities, but the nature of looming challenges is political. Washington 2 [Trump intensifies ‘Arab NATO’ talks after Iran strike]( The Donald Trump administration is working to push forward with a military alliance of Middle Eastern states as the international community looks to respond to a suspected Iranian attack on a Saudi oil facility. Iran 3 [Iran welcomes Saudi signals for de-escalation]( Archenemies Iran and Saudi Arabia appear to be closer to de-escalating tensions that have recently risen to all-time highs. 4 [Young Moroccan activists rally for climate action]( Morocco is already taking big steps to combat climate change, but young people want their country to do more, starting with addressing the local problems that limit public engagement. Turkey 5 [Islamic State's money transfer network busted in Turkey]( A Turkish police operation exposed how the Islamic State can still run cross-border money transfer networks despite its defeat in Syria and Iraq. 6 [Island sheikh talks sovereignty in Yemen's war]( The chief sheikh of the Yemeni island of Socotra spoke to Al-Monitor about growing foreign interference on the island, which has been so far spared from the fallout of the Yemeni war. Palestine 7 [Hamas takes rare action in alleged nepotism case following public pressure]( After an outcry from the Palestinian public, Hamas fined the son of one of its leaders in a case of corruption within its own ranks. 8 [Regional powers jockey for influence in Deir ez-Zor protests]( Recent protests in Syria’s Deir ez-Zor, split between pro-regime and SDF forces, have raised questions about who will eventually exert control over the region, as heavily restricted access for independent journalists means information coming out of the area is scarce and narratives diverge. Egypt 9 [Egypt’s opposition threatens to freeze political activities over crackdown]( Some Egyptian political parties, reacting to recent arrests made to curtail protests, have threatened to cease political activity to express opposition to the authorities' approach. Palestine 10 [Imprisoned Hamas members end 2-week hunger strike]( The senior leadership of Hamas prisoners said the prisoners have ended their hunger strike after receiving assurances from the Israel Prison Service to stop using cellphone jamming devices, but Israeli media portray the strike as having little effect. Palestine 11 [Why Palestinian Museum received prestigious architectural award]( The Palestinian Museum, which has received the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, combines an ecological design and harmony of landscape 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