Al-Monitor Daily Briefing: Podcast: Gilles Kepel discusses “Away from Chaos: The Middle East and the challenge to the West”

If you have trouble reading this email, [view it in a browser](. [logo]( [fb_icon]( [twitter_icon]( EDITOR'S PICKS Wednesday, June 10 | Daily Briefing [editor_pic]( 1 [Podcast: Gilles Kepel discusses “Away from Chaos: The Middle East and the challenge to the West”]( Renowned scholar Gilles Kepel discusses his latest book, “Away from Chaos” and the trends and new fault-lines that are shaping the region, including the impact of COVID-19, falling oil prices, political Islam, and the fallout of what was called the Arab Spring in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Syria, Saudi Arabia and the region. Turkey 2 [Reactions to George Floyd murder reveal Islamist fragility in Turkey]( President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticizes the United States for racism while pro-government media alleges that the anti-fascist groups in the protests are being supported by outlawed groups in Turkey. 3 [China shows greater interest in Syria, amid pandemic and US tensions]( China is looking to increase its influence in war-torn Syria, and using the coronavirus pandemic to accelerate these plans. Israel 4 [Netanyahu thwarts risk of submarine scandal resurfacing]( Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has apparently managed to distance himself from any risks of being implicated in the submarine scandal. 5 [Sanctions on Syrian government also threaten Washington's Kurdish allies]( While US and international sanctions aren't specifically targeted at Kurdish-ruled northeast Syria, the area is impacted all the same with trade practically halted and because of the sudden plunge of the Syrian pound. Iran 6 [Iran to execute man convicted of spying on Soleimani for US, Israel]( The Iranian judiciary has remained vague on whether information allegedly passed on by Mahmoud Mousavi-Majd had been directly involved in the US killing of the top general. Israel 7 [Shin Bet halts surveillance of coronavirus patients]( With Shin Bet head Nadav Argaman reluctant and faced with public objections, the Israeli government has suspended consideration of a bill legalizing the electronic tracking of those infected with the novel coronavirus. 8 [Turkey rounds up scores of citizens with alleged Gulen links]( A majority of those arrested were active members of the air force or police. Gulf 9 [Qatar to begin phased reopening]( Coronavirus cases continue to rise in the Gulf country even as restrictions are eased. Washington 10 [Intel: Trump’s Iran policy coordinator previews additional prisoner talks]( President Donald Trump’s Iran policy coordinator hinted today at ongoing negotiations with Tehran to secure the release of additional American prisoners following the release of Navy veteran Michael White last week. 11 [Israel's El Al airline seeking financial help to stay afloat]( Israel's airport remains closed and the airline has suffered from the downturn in global travel. 12 [Report: Iran builds fake aircraft carrier for drills]( The Associated Press obtained photos of the mock warship at a time of heightened US-Iran tensions. 13 [Palestinians say they were not informed of second virus aid flight from UAE to Israel]( The second-ever direct flight from the United Arab Emirates to Israel took place today, but Palestinians say they were not informed of the aid delivery. North Africa 14 [Libya says armed group forces production halt at major oil field]( Libya's state-run oil company says the Sharara oil field had just resumed operations before it was stormed by gunmen. 15 [Iraq sees slight drop in new COVID-19 cases after days with more than 1,000]( The spread of the virus continues at an alarming rate in Iraq, particularly in Baghdad and Sulaimaniyah. Gulf 16 [Bahrain releases human rights activist Nabeel Rajab from prison]( Rajab's release came just days before the four-year anniversary of his arrest. 17 [Four injured in US military transport plane crash at Iraq’s Camp Taji]( An Air Force C-130 Hercules struck a wall, damaging the aircraft and causing a fire onboard. Iraq 18 [Iraqi Sunnis seek answers for those displaced in time of fighting Islamic State]( Sunni politicians are putting pressure on the Kadhimi government to determine the fate of Sunnis displaced during the fight against the Islamic State. Israel 19 [Israel’s top court strikes settlement Regulation Law]( Israel’s High Court ordered the state to cancel the Regulation Law that enables to retroactively legalize settlement homes built on private Palestinian lands. 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