Mid East – Page 1340 – Prologue Journal

Biden’s Ambassador to Israel, at the Center of the Storm

New York Times A longtime Democratic insider, Thomas Nides navigates a fraught U.S.-Israel relationship with humor, if a sometimes all-too-quotable candor. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/05/us/politics/ambassador-israel-thomas-nides.html

Middle East, Iranian media raise anger over Israeli ‘crimes’ on Temple Mount

Jerusalem Post A long list of condemnations and negative reports have emphasized the growing anger in the region at Israel over the Jerusalem tensions. https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-738527

Does US-China rivalry jeopardize Israel’s regional normalization drive? – analysis

Jerusalem Post The US expects its allies, including Israel, to activate a “supervised risk management system” to avoid the leakage of advanced technologies into China. https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-736467

UAE president, Israeli PM discuss strengthening ties in phone call

Jerusalem Post The UAE president said his country would work with Israel, Arab nations and international partners “to avoid regional escalation.” https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-736398

Breakaway candidate could give Erdogan a lifeline in tight Turkey election

Jerusalem Post “The fact that these people would be ministers and come to positions of authority bothers me,” said 28-year-old student Seckin Yetkin, saying he will vote for Ince like in 2018. https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-736390

How the U.S. Came to Use NSO Spyware It Was Trying to Kill

New York Times The Biden administration has been trying to choke off use of hacking tools made by the Israeli firm NSO. It turns out that not every part of the government has gotten the message. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/02/us/politics/nso-contract-us-spy.html

Israel Moves Forward With Far-Right Plan for National Guard

New York Times Itamar Ben-Gvir, one of the most extreme voices in the Israeli government, had long sought to create a national guard. Ministers agreed on Sunday to set up a committee to discuss next steps. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/02/world/middleeast/israel-national-guard-ben-gvir.html

No More Blank Checks: Saudi Arabia Clamps Down on Regional Aid

New York Times The kingdom used to send money to poorer countries like Egypt with few strings attached. But it is increasingly leveraging its economic power for influence in the Middle East and beyond. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/02/world/middleeast/no-more-blank-checks-saudi-arabia-clamps-down-on-regional-aid.html

Security Force or Anti-Arab Militia? Israelis Feud Over Far-Right Plan

New York Times The far-right security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, wants to create a national guard that he would control, saying it is needed to guarantee Israel’s security. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/01/world/middleeast/israel-netanyahu-ben-gvir-national-guard.html

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