Al-Monitor Daily Briefing: Iran hard-liners storm shrines closed due to coronavirus

If you have trouble reading this email, [view it in a browser](. [logo]( [fb_icon]( [twitter_icon]( EDITOR'S PICKS Tuesday, March 17 | Daily Briefing [By: Al-Monitor Staff on Tuesday, Mar. 17, 2020]( Iran 1 [Iran hard-liners storm shrines closed due to coronavirus]( Groups of Iranian Shiite hard-liners briefly unsealed holy shrines in Qom and Mashhad in protest of the government's closure against the coronavirus epidemic. Washington 2 [Reports: US to reposition troops in Iraq]( After two rocket attacks within a week on American troops in Iraq, the United States is preparing to reposition forces there. Israel 3 [Netanyahu wants an emergency government of Jews only]( Although the coronavirus doesn’t distinguish between Jews and Arabs, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been doing so while calling on Blue and White leaders to join him in an "emergency government." North Africa 4 [For Tunisia, recovery means modernizing economy]( Tunisia’s new government faces the formidable task of reversing the economy's downward spiral of the post-revolutionary years with an eye toward becoming a gateway to Africa. Israel 5 [Netanyahu’s chief rival promises 'broad' government 'within a few days']( Israel’s president has tapped Blue and White leader Benny Gantz with forming a new government after the third election in less than a year produced no clear winner. Culture 6 [Tourists stay away as Egypt reopens oldest pyramid]( Egypt has finally reopened its oldest pyramid after 14 years of restoration work, but the timing could have been better. Israel 7 [Israelis in panic over COVID-19, but not the 'occupation virus']( Despite attempts to spin events otherwise, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has hijacked the coronavirus in an attempt to hold on to power and perpetuate the occupation. Culture 8 [Banksy's hotel resorts to dark humor as Bethlehem turns to ghost town]( Bethlehem's Walled Off Hotel painted its facade black in protest of Trump's peace plan, but the situation is even darker with the coronavirus alert in the city. North Africa 9 [Morocco shows support for Egypt in conflict with Ethiopia over Nile Dam]( Although Moroccan King Mohammed VI's visit to Egypt had been postponed more than five times without clear reasons, a silent alliance between Egypt and Morocco may have been formed. 10 [Coronavirus imposes calm on Gaza front]( Calm has returned between Israel and Palestinian factions in Gaza, mainly because of the outbreak of the coronavirus and fears of it spreading in the besieged enclave. Syria 11 [Syrian opposition split over Russia-Turkey patrols in Idlib]( The joint military patrols mandated by the Russia-Turkey cease-fire are in effect, sparking protests and dividing the Syrian opposition. Egypt 12 [Egypt suspending all flights amid coronavirus spread]( As the number of Egypt's COVID-19 cases rise to 150, Cairo says that all flights will be suspended for nearly two weeks and that tourism sites will be thoroughly sanitized. Iraq 13 [Iraqi anti-IS operations hindered by coalition base attacks]( Members of the Iraqi counterterrorism forces and the US Marines have been killed during raids against IS hideouts in recent weeks in tough mountain terrain. 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