Al-Monitor Daily Briefing: Turks question ‘quake taxes’ after deadly tremor

If you have trouble reading this email, [view it in a browser](. [logo]( [fb_icon]( [twitter_icon]( EDITOR'S PICKS Thursday, January 30 | Daily Briefing [By: Mustafa Sonmez on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020]( Turkey 1 [Turks question ‘quake taxes’ after deadly tremor]( Turkey’s citizens have paid billions of liras in special taxes introduced after a massive quake disaster in 1999, but two decades on, the country still has a long way to go in quake-proofing buildings and other precautionary measures. Russia / Mideast 2 [Intel: Why Russia’s warming ties with Israel may lead Moscow to embrace Trump’s peace plan]( Russian President Vladimir Putin pardoned a young Israeli accused of drug charges ahead of his meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today. The release of Naama Issachar, who had been sentenced to 7½ years in prison, ends a bitter controversy that had plagued relations between the two countries. Jordan 3 [Jordan fears long-term threat to its national security following Trump’s peace plan]( No sooner had President Donald Trump unveiled his Middle East peace plan than Jordan reacted, warning against the dangerous repercussions such deal will have on the kingdom and on the region as a whole. Egypt 4 [Trump’s ‘deal of the century’ fails to resonate among Egyptians]( While the Egyptian government treaded cautiously in its response to the rollout of the US administration’s long-awaited peace deal, expressing Cairo’s “appreciation” of US efforts, analysts and the public widely condemned the plan. Israel 5 [Why Putin needs to be part of Trump-Netanyahu peace plan]( Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should learn from past mistakes and offer Russian President Vladimir Putin a role and a place in the Middle East, alongside US President Donald Trump. Washington 6 [Pentagon: Turkey’s deployment to Libya threatens escalation]( The United States' top military officer in Africa has warned that Ankara's decision to send troops to Libya "risks a significant escalation." Culture 7 [Meet the man who brought Picasso to Palestine]( A young curator's determination to bring a work of Picasso to Ramallah marked the decade in Middle Eastern art. Jordan 8 [Protests break out in Jordan in protest of Trump’s 'deal of the century']( Jordan immediately rejected US President Donald Trump’s long touted middle east peace plan, insisting that the two-state solution is the only way to guarantee Palestinians their full human rights. Washington 9 [Intel: Democrats push Trump administration to crack down on Saudi prince]( Emboldened by the latest United Nations report implicating Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in hacking Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos’ phone, Democrats are pushing the Donald Trump administration to toughen up on the Saudi heir. 10 [Tunisia’s youth seek role in forming new government]( After parliament recently rejected Tunisia’s first effort at forming a new government since the September election, the president has apparently responded to young people's demand to have a political voice. Israel 11 [What Israel gave to Russia in return for release of its national]( In order to get Naama Issachar released from a prison in Moscow, Israel broke its rule of not interfering in real estate disputes related to churches in Jerusalem. Lebanon 12 [Tents become makeshift homes for protesters seeking change in Lebanon]( While some protesters living in tents are jobless and others have work, they are united in seeking a better future for their fellow Lebanese. Palestine 13 [Syria opens up to Fatah, shuns Hamas]( Many see the visit by a high-level PLO delegation to Syria as an attempt to thwart any reconciliation between Hamas and Syria. Culture 14 [Popularity of Turkey's ancient temple worries archaeologists]( Gobekli Tepe, the oldest known place of worship in the world, has been a site of controversy as the Turkish government monetizes the mysterious archaeological treasure. 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]( © 2020 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