Al-Monitor Daily Briefing: Podcast: Israel’s Bennet urges full annexation, calls for turning Syria into ‘Iran’s Vietnam’

If you have trouble reading this email, [view it in a browser](. [logo]( [fb_icon]( [twitter_icon]( EDITOR'S PICKS Monday, June 29 | Daily Briefing [editor_pic]( 1 [Podcast: Israel’s Bennet urges full annexation, calls for turning Syria into ‘Iran’s Vietnam’]( In this week’s episode of On Israel, former defense minister and head of the right-wing Yamina party Naftali Bennett calls on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to declare full annexation of parts of the West Bank and the Jordan Valley. 2 [Interpol dismisses Iran's request for arrest warrant for Trump over Soleimani killing]( US terms 'propaganda' Tehran's request that Interpol issue a red notice for President Donald Trump and 35 other officials Iran alleges were involved in the general's killing. Turkey 3 [Is Hayat Tahrir al-Sham doing Turkey’s job in Idlib?]( Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the rebel group dominating Idlib, is turning up pressure on radical jihadis, facing accusations of acting at the behest of Turkey. Gulf 4 [Biologists dive for secrets of coral reef that survives hot Gulf waters]( Coral reefs are sensitive ecosystems that rarely survive sea temperatures above 32 degrees Celsius, yet coral reef fauna thrives in the Persian Gulf, where scientists hope to find clues about climate change survival. Israel 5 [Gantz calls July annexation target 'not sacred']( With two days to go before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's target annexation date, Defense Minister Benny Gantz says other issues such as the coronavirus crisis are more urgent. 6 [US-backed Syrian Kurdish militia offers rare apology to rivals amid unity talks]( The apology is testament to the group's determination to see unity talks between the Kurdish National Council and the PYD through to a successful end. 7 [Syria risks another wave of migration, UN food agency warns]( The United Nations' World Food Program director told the AP more Syrians will flee the country unless the international community steps in with additional aid. 8 [Frustration builds as Iraq's airports remain closed amid rising virus cases]( Many foreigners and Iraqis are unable to return home, including those who have lost jobs amid the pandemic. Washington 9 [Intel: Congress pushes European Union to fully designate Hezbollah as terrorist group]( A bipartisan group of 30 US lawmakers sent a blanket letter to all European Union member states Thursday asking them to designate the entirety of Lebanon’s militia-cum-political party Hezbollah as a terrorist organization. Israel 10 [Netanyahu unapologetic on demanding tax exemptions]( Despite soaring unemployment and an economic crisis in Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took the time to demand retroactive tax exemptions for himself. Egypt 11 [Egypt’s top film festivals gearing up to open as scheduled]( As Egypt begins to gradually lift restrictions imposed to stem the spread of the coronavirus, the country’s top film festivals are preparing to hold their events in the coming months while taking the necessary precautionary measures. Turkey 12 [Turkey gears up for tougher challenge in Libya as conflict heats up]( Despite cease-fire calls in Libya, Turkey and its allies might be readying for a push toward the strategically important areas of Sirte and al-Jufra next month. Egypt 13 [Activists press for tougher penalties against female genital mutilation in Egypt]( Amendments are being finalized to crack down on female genital mutilation which remains popular in rural Egypt. Iraq 14 [Pro-Iran militia leader challenges Iraqi government attempts at restraint]( Head of Asaib Ahl al-Haq Qais al-Khazali warns the Iraqi prime minister to steer clear of a clampdown or "lose everything.” Iran 15 [Iran says Romania has not shared details of death of fugitive judge]( Iran says that Romanian officials have not shared any information about the death in their country of fugitive judge Gholamreza Mansouri. Gulf 16 [Qatar to further ease coronavirus restrictions]( Qatar is registering fewer coronavirus cases than in previous weeks, and public spaces, mosques and offices can now start to reopen. 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