Al-Monitor Daily Briefing: Turkish army brass at odds over military operation in Syria

[logo]( [fb_icon]( [twitter_icon]( EDITOR'S PICKS Friday, January 4 | Daily Briefing [By: Fehim Tastekin on Friday, Jan. 4, 2019]( Turkey 1 [Turkish army brass at odds over military operation in Syria]( The Turkish government’s removal of two key commanders from active duty has revealed the discord in the Turkish military over the planned military operation east of the Euphrates River. Washington 2 [Intel: How Republicans are starting new Congress with rebuke of Trump’s Syria withdrawal]( The Republican-held Senate reconvened yesterday. Its first order of business? Rebuking President Donald Trump over his Syria policy. Iran 3 [US sanctions and the dynamics of Iran’s petroleum sector]( While US sanctions are hitting Iran’s key energy sector hard, the industry remains set to advance, albeit at a slower pace and with a lower level of technology. Israel 4 [Israelis deserve to know the truth about submarine scandal]( A public watchdog has petitioned the Supreme Court in an effort to determine whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was directly or indirectly complicit in causing grave damage to state security in a controversial submarine acquisition from Germany. Turkey 5 [Turkish battle plan for Syria shaky despite Trump's promised pullout]( Turkey's initial satisfaction over the United States' abrupt Syria withdrawal announcement is being tempered by doubts over Washington’s true intentions and awareness of the obstacles that still remain to a Turkish incursion. Iran 6 [Iran health minister resigns over budget cuts]( Hassan Ghazizadeh Hashemi has resigned as Iran’s minister of health over infighting regarding the budget and his treatment by the Rouhani administration. Palestine 7 [Gaza’s public servants outraged at Hamas’ recent spending]( Recent documents were leaked to the media showing that Hamas spent more than $550,000 for the celebrations of its anniversary, which raised the ire of Gaza government employees who have not received their full salaries since 2013. Palestine 8 [Hebron's only Orthodox church quiet on Christmas]( Hebron's once vibrant Russian Orthodox Monastery of the Holy Trinity and Holy Forefathers Church will host few visitors this Orthodox Christmas Eve on Jan. 6. Syria 9 [Can Museum of Raqqa's glory be restored?]( The Raqqa Civil Council and a local organization have begun restoring the Museum of Raqqa, but it is unclear whether it can reassemble the treasures removed from it during the occupations by Islamic State and the Free Syrian Army. Israel 10 [Unclear future for Livni's daring diplomatic agenda]( After the dismantling of the Zionist Camp, Tzipi Livni’s Hatnua Party is almost the only party for which the diplomatic process remains at the top of its platform, and which doesn’t lean to the right or speak in vague terms. Iraq 11 [Iran pushes Iraq to maintain trade without US dollar]( Iran is pushing for an agreement with the Iraqi Central Bank to maintain trade in local currencies after dollar-base trade halted following the reimposition of US sanctions. Iraq 12 [Conflict over Iraqi federal government moves to provincial councils]( The dispute between Iraqi parliamentary blocs over ministerial portfolios has surfaced over the posts of the provinces' governors. 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]( © 2019 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