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Daybreak: Turkish Trouble

Plus updated intel on Iran, and more in the news

by
Marc Tracy
January 18, 2012

• Reports in Turkish newspapers have it that Israeli drones are collecting intelligence on behalf of the Kurdish separatist group the PKK, against Turkey’s wishes, and that Iran is planning attacks on U.S. interests in Turkey. [Ynet/Haaretz]

• Israel will tell U.S. officials later this week that, according to its intelligence, Iran has not yet decided to build a nuclear bomb but it greatly fears for its regime’s stability; a genuine opposition could win March’s parliamentary elections. [Haaretz]

• President Ahmadinejad has ordered extra security for scientists, five of whom have been assassinated in recent years. [NYT]

• Oil, oil, oil, and nary a drop to sell (if you’re Iran). [WP]

• After initially promising to extend the Tal Law, which allows yeshiva students to more easily avoid army service, by five years, some members of the Cabinet objected and now Prime Minister Netanyahu is postponing discussion. [Ynet]

• A hearing into Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman’s alleged financial misdeeds that could result in his indictment began yesterday. [NYT]

Marc Tracy is a staff writer at The New Republic, and was previously a staff writer at Tablet. He tweets @marcatracy.