Al-Monitor Daily Briefing: Acrimony erupts ahead of NATO summit as Turkey stalls defense plans

If you have trouble reading this email, [view it in a browser](. [logo]( [fb_icon]( [twitter_icon]( EDITOR'S PICKS Monday, December 2 | Daily Briefing [By: Ayla Jean Yackley on Monday, Dec. 2, 2019]( Turkey 1 [Acrimony erupts ahead of NATO summit as Turkey stalls defense plans]( Turkey is impeding a military plan to defend Poland and the Baltics to force the alliance to support its military operation in Syria. The spat underscores political divisions that are shaking NATO ahead of its anniversary summit next week. Culture 2 [Egypt's Mada Masr determined to press on despite raid]( Lina Attalah, editor in chief of the news website Mada Masr, spoke to Al-Monitor about a harrowing police raid of the site's office and how she and the staff are determined to continue their work. Israel 3 [Withholding Palestinians’ remains not befitting Israel]( Caretaker Defense Minister Naftali Bennett, perhaps trying to maximize his time in office, has offered up discarded ideas on security that put Israel in the position of violating human rights and dignity. Iraq 4 [As Iraq bloodshed spreads, Sistani calls for early elections]( In the wake of extensive violence against the Iraqi protesters and Shiite leader Ali Sistani's outrage, Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi has expressed willingness to resign. Iran 5 [Will Iran’s 50% gas price hike pay off for the economy?]( Iran’s cutbacks on gas subsidies must be accompanied by a crackdown on corruption if they are to yield real benefits for the government. Palestine 6 [Why the West Bank went silent when Israel attacked Gaza]( Following the recent military escalation between Israel and Palestinian factions in Gaza, residents of the besieged enclave have expressed bewilderment and anger at the lack of support for them expressed by West Bank Palestinians. Palestine 7 [Demolition of Palestinians' Jerusalem homes surges]( Israeli authorities have picked up the pace of destroying Palestinian homes in Jerusalem, which Palestinians blame in part on US officials' statements. Turkey 8 [Turkey bets on NATO as escape route in S-400 crisis]( In a move to buy time, Erdogan is taking the S-400 crisis to NATO grounds, as Ankara’s testing of the Russian-made system the week before a NATO summit shows Ankara still has maneuvering room. Palestine 9 [Israel's spastic shifts in fishing zones endanger Palestinians]( Israel continues to reduce and expand the allowable fishing zones off the Gaza Strip, as its gunboats target Palestinian fishermen. Palestine 10 [Palestinian Authority, UAE may be ready to reconcile]( Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is preparing to visit the UAE after years of estrangement to offer condolences for a death in the ruling family and perhaps to pursue other goals. Gulf 11 [East Yemen former ruling dynasty calls to revive Mahra Sultanate]( Amid Saudi Arabia’s growing military influence over the easternmost corner of Yemen, Al Mahrah’s former ruling dynasty wants independence. Iran 12 [Iran continues dismantling JCPOA nuclear restrictions]( Tehran is launching construction work on the first of two new nuclear units in a $10 billion expansion of its power plant and has begun enriching uranium at a site formerly limited to research. 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