The Takeaway: December 4, 2019 Highlights: Iran’s top trends; ‘Joker’ sighted at Beirut protests; Egypt’s independent media fight back; and more! Originals
Middle East lobbyists pay op-ed writers to sell their message A Kuwaiti firm and an armed Iranian opposition group are some of the latest examples of lobbyists paying for positive press coverage. Kuwait
SDF woos Syrian Kurdish rivals in wake of Turkish assault Could the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Iraqi Kurdish-backed Kurdish National Council, long at loggerheads, come to an accord in the wake of Turkey's invasion of Kurdish-administered areas of Syria? Iraq
Erdogan drops block on NATO defense plan as trust issues linger Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan dropped his threat to block a defense plan for the Baltic states and Poland, though disagreements persist among NATO allies. Turkey
Iran's Rouhani open for Trump meeting if sanctions lifted The Iranian president has signaled readiness for talks with his US counterpart if the latter removes economic sanctions he reimposed on the Islamic Republic. United States
Istanbul's Arnavutkoy embracing change for centuries Arnavutkoy, Istanbul's chic district, struggles to keep its multiculturalism and serenity through the 21st century. Turkey
Why Hamas is renewing the Gaza border protests In order to appease Palestinian public opinion and show that it is negotiating with Israel from a position of force, Hamas leadership is calling to resume fence demonstrations. Palestine
Turkey seeks to refresh NATO ties to balance Russia Turkey seems to have failed to get all it wanted from the NATO summit in London, but even an incomplete outcome meets its purpose of balancing ties with Russia by refreshing ties with NATO. Syria
What does silence of Blue and White party cover? The common desire of Blue and White’s leaders to topple Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cannot justify their silence, when it comes to the Jewish settlement in Hebron or support for insane ideas like Jordan Valley annexation. Israel
Yemen’s Taiz residents still drowning in woes despite deal Yemeni citizens in Taiz doubt the power-sharing deal brokered by Saudi Arabia will help them overcome the major destruction and humanitarian disasters caused by the ongoing war and Houthi siege on their city. Saudi Arabia
Abbas calls Druze 'purest' of all Arabs Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas made overtures toward Druze leaders during a meeting in Ramallah in an effort to warm the community's relationship with the rest of the Palestinian population. Originals
Islamist, secularist rivals clash as Tunisian government takes shape Tunisia's incoming prime minister is including various political parties in talks on forming the new government, but his inclusion of the liberal secular party Qalb Tounes has irritated the dominant Ennahda faction. Tunisia
Egypt purging Brotherhood from Ministry of Endowments Egypt's Ministry of Religious Endowments has banished from the pulpit imams it says are members of the Muslim Brotherhood. Egypt
Jordan's century-old Hijaz Railway may return as a public park Jordanian architect Hanna Salameh wants to revive a historic railway by turning it into a public park and tram. Jordan
Gulf donors drawn into controversy over foreign influence at US campuses Six US universities are under investigation for allegedly failing to report $1.3 billion in gifts and contracts from Middle Eastern and other foreign sources. Saudi Arabia
Trump condemns Iran protest crackdown, stays mum on Oman, French mediation efforts President Donald Trump, responding to a reporter’s question in London, said the United States does not support the protesters in Iran before he later clarified his answer and castigated the Iranian government. Saudi Arabia
