Mid East – Page 1530 – Prologue Journal

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

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