The Takeaway: Would Hamas complicate US plans for reset with Palestinians? Also: the back story on the spat between Israel and Jordan; Gulf post-COVID economic trends; Turkey’s Kurds; Egypt and Somalia; and more! Originals
Egypt sentences activist Sanaa Seif to 18 months in prison Seif, who had been in pretrial detention since June, was convicted Wednesday of spreading false news and misusing social media. Egypt
Ukraine rejects Iran's final report on downed passenger plane The Iranian government said last year's shooting down of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 was the result of a human error. Iran
Palestinians receive first batch of vaccines through COVAX More than 60,000 doses of the AstraZeneca and Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines arrived in Ramallah on Wednesday. Palestine
Home Brew Gains Popularity In Gaza In light of the ban on alcohol consumption imposed by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, many drinkers are turning to producing home brew. Palestine
Iraqi Kurds Reportedly Among Jihadists in Syria Iraqi Kurdish youth have reportedly been fighting alongside jihadists in Syria. Iraq
No 'Good Guys' Or 'Bad Guys' in Syria Saudi Arabia and Qatar need to support a diplomatic outcome in Syria. Saudi Arabia
Israeli Politician Leads Fight Against Sexual Harassment Mertez leader Zahava Gal-On talks about the scandal of Emmanuel Rosen, prominent newsman suspected of sexual harassment, and the struggle to bring such cases to justice. Israel
After 65 Years of Nakba, Hope In New Palestinian Generation The latest generation of Palestinian refugees may be one to restore the right of return. Palestine
Rafsanjani Candidacy A Likely Winner Former president Hashemi Rafsanjani appears to have the inside track in Iran’s presidential elections. Iran
Bombing Shakes Erdogan’s Domestic Agenda The Reyhanli blast may have an impact on Turkey’s constitutional referendum. Turkey
Kerry, Peace Process to Hit Wall Over Jerusalem The US must bridge the gap between talking about a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and being the architect of an agreement. Palestine
Israeli Social Justice Protests Have 'Failed Miserably' Professor Yossi Yonah, one of the leaders of Israel's social justice protest movement, explains why it failed. Israel
Turkish Court Imposes Media Clampdown on Reyhanli Bombing The Turkish government upped its efforts to control the debate on the Syrian crisis by imposing overt censorship with a court decision on reporting about the Reyhanli bombings. Syria
Palestinian Investment Fund Needs Reform The Palestinian Investment Fund, established in 2003 to bring transparency to the Palestinian Authority’s assets, may also be promoting monopolies. Palestine
Ayad Allawi: Demonstrations Won’t Stop Unless Maliki Resigns During a meeting with Iraqi journalists at his Baghdad home, Iraqiya List leader Ayad Allawi said demonstrations in the country wouldn't stop unless Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki resigns. Iraq
