Mid East – Page 1165 – Prologue Journal

Inside Saudi Arabia’s Global Push for Nuclear Power

New York Times Despite qualms in Washington, Saudi officials have pressed the United States to help them develop nuclear power. But they are also exploring other options, including China. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/01/us/politics/saudi-arabia-nuclear-biden-administration.html

Israeli Police Fatally Shoot Arab Outside Jerusalem Holy Site

New York Times The man was shot dead early Saturday at the edge of the Aqsa Mosque compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount. The circumstances of the killing were disputed and risked raising tensions during Ramadan. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/31/world/middleeast/aqsa-mosque-shooting-jerusalem.html

As Israel’s Crises Pile Up, a Far-Right Minister Is a Common Thread

New York Times Bezalel Smotrich, the finance minister, is a longtime advocate of contentious plans to overhaul the judiciary. He has also exacerbated tensions with Palestinians and Israel’s allies. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/31/world/middleeast/israel-smotrich-protests.html

Kushner Firm Got Hundreds of Millions From 2 Persian Gulf Nations

New York Times The infusion of money from interests in the two Persian Gulf monarchies reflects the close ties to Middle Eastern countries established by Jared Kushner, former President Donald Trump’s son-in-law. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/30/us/politics/jared-kushner-qatar-united-arab-emirates.html

Days After Netanyahu Fired Him, Israel’s Defense Minister Is Still on the Job

New York Times Yoav Gallant, Israel’s defense minister, was fired on Sunday, setting off unrest, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu never formally confirmed his dismissal. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/30/world/middleeast/israel-yoav-gallant-netanyahu.html

A.I., Brain Scans and Cameras: The Spread of Police Surveillance Tech

New York Times In the Middle East, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies have become part of everyday policing. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/30/technology/police-surveillance-tech-dubai.html

Biden’s Confrontation With Netanyahu Had Been Brewing for Years

New York Times The president’s decision to publicly criticize Israel is highly unusual for a leader who has pledged not to interfere in the country’s domestic politics. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/29/us/politics/biden-netanyahu-confrontation.html

Egypt’s cenbank raises interest rates by 200 bps to tame inflation

Reuters Reuters was first to report that markets were closely watching the Central Bank decision on Thursday as Egypt struggles to contain the impact of a long-running foreign currency shortage, inflation at five-year highs and a rising debt burden. Recent Reuters analyses laid out how the Egyptian pound had come under renewed pressure and a…

Assad approved Syria quake aid with a UAE nudge

Reuters Reuters was first to reveal that President Bashar al-Assad ceded to calls for additional aid access to Syria after prodding from the UAE. This is a diplomatic win for the Gulf state, which has rebuilt ties with Damascus despite U.S. disapproval. Assad’s decision to approve wider aid access for U.N. convoys into the northwest…

Reuters reveals Qatar Investment Authority raises stake in Credit Suisse to just under 7%

Reuters Reuters revealed Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund has increased its stake in Credit Suisse to just under 7%, becoming the Swiss bank’s second-largest shareholder after Saudi National Bank, signaling that its Gulf investor base is growing in importance. The post Reuters reveals Qatar Investment Authority raises stake in Credit Suisse to just under 7% appeared…