Mid East – Page 1367 – Prologue Journal

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

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…