Al-Monitor Daily Briefing: Israel-Iran conflict enters tense waiting period until US election in November

If you have trouble reading this email, [view it in a browser](. [logo]( [fb_icon]( [twitter_icon]( EDITOR'S PICKS Wednesday, June 24 | Daily Briefing [By: Ben Caspit on Tuesday, Jun. 23, 2020]( Israel 1 [Israel-Iran conflict enters tense waiting period until US election in November]( Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is praying for US President Donald Trump to win reelection, but security experts worry that he might lose interest in the Iran conflict. 2 [Podcast: Qatar Amb. Meshal Al-Thani talks about COVID-19, Iran, plans for the World Cup, and more]( Meshal Al-Thani, Qatar’s ambassador to the United States, talks about the prospects for reconciliation with Qatar’s neighbors; US-Qatar relations; Israeli-Palestinian issues; Iran, plans for the World Cup, and how his country is managing with COVID-19. Turkey 3 [Afro-Turks join global outcry over George Floyd killing]( The little-known community that largely traces its roots to the Ottoman slave trade is speaking out about police brutality in America, saying their own example of coexistence is an example for the West. Gulf 4 [GCC faces possible setback with exodus of skilled professionals]( The coronavirus pandemic coupled with the oil crisis is pushing foreign workers to exit the Gulf states, perhaps shaping future labor policies. Egypt 5 [Deal with US drug company raises controversy in Egypt over use of anti-coronavirus treatment]( Egypt’s Eva Pharma reached a deal with Gilead Sciences to locally manufacture the antiviral treatment Remdesivir for the treatment of coronavirus patients and distribute it in 127 countries. Jordan 6 [Jordan government takes on tax evasion, abuse of public office]( Jordanians have welcomed the government’s latest push to prosecute officials and businessmen accused of tax evasion and money laundering, but wonder if the effort will be sustainable. Israel 7 [Trump’s endorsement crucial for Netanyahu’s annexation plan]( Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu knows that he cannot go ahead with annexation without the endorsement of US President Donald Trump. North Africa 8 [UN report on Libya mercenaries 'unfounded,' says Russia]( A Foreign Ministry official dismissed the findings of the report on Wagner Group's operations in Libya and called for an investigation into why it was leaked. 9 [Al-Qaeda affiliate bombs Turkish base in Somalia]( Al-Shabab has attacked Turkey in the Horn of Africa country before due to Ankara's support for the Somali government. Israel 10 [Battle rages over Israel's plan for industrial zone in unique West Bank landscape]( Environmental and anti-occupation activists are campaigning against plans to establish an industrial zone near the settlement town Beitar illit, a project they say threatens traditional agriculture and a world heritage site. Iran 11 [Iran to hand over to France black boxes from downed Ukrainian plane]( Iran is ultimately promising to loosen its hold on the black boxes from the Ukrainian plane it shot down with two missiles in January. Gulf 12 [Saudi Arabia reveals Hajj restrictions]( Attendees must be under 65 years of age, receive a coronavirus test and socially distance, among other measures for this year's Hajj pilgrimage. Israel 13 [Gantz says Palestinians need dialogue with Israel on annexation]( Defense Minister Benny Gantz took another step today at clarifying his stance on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s annexation plan. 14 [Egyptian activist Sanaa Seif ‘abducted’ in Cairo, family says]( Sanaa Seif was filing a complaint at the public prosecutor's office when her family says she was forced into a minivan. Washington 15 [Intel: Key Democrat presses Pompeo on Trump’s alleged interference in Turkish bank probe]( The top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee sent a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo today grilling him on a series of allegations raised in former national security adviser John Bolton’s new book, including the allegation that President Donald Trump sought to end the Justice Department’s charges against Turkey’s state-run Halkbank. 16 [British charity worker detained by HTS in Idlib]( Tauqir Sharif was kidnapped by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham on Monday, according to a statement from his aid organization in northwest Syria. Iraq 17 [Iraqi protesters set sights on local governors]( Protesters in Iraq are demanding that provincial governors be sacked and the killers of demonstrators be found and prosecuted. Gulf 18 [Houthi rebels in Yemen fire missiles into Saudi capital]( Houthi officials said the missiles hit military targets, but Saudi Arabia said it intercepted the missiles. 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