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
Iraqi folk troupe struggles to stay on stage The Iraqi national dance troupe is struggling to survive amid a lack of financial support and social taboos around dancing. Iraq
Senate panel slashes military aid to Egypt Frustrated appropriators vote to cut military assistance to Cairo by $300 million. Egypt
Crashes force US Navy to review Gulf operations A string of deadly accidents in the Asia-Pacific Theater could have major impacts on US Navy operations in the Persian Gulf. United States
Gauging aftermath of Turkey’s great intelligence gaffe Turkey's government and media are keeping mum about what appears to be the biggest blunder in the recent history of Turkish intelligence. Turkey
Turkish drone bombs picnickers without cause, says pro-Kurdish opposition A Turkish air force drone bombed four men picnicking in a remote province sympathetic to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), as authorities claim they were assembling with terrorists. Turkey
Iran-Syria soccer game surrounded by major controversy Iranian authorities stir controversy by allowing Syrian women to attend a soccer World Cup qualifier while refusing to let in Iranian women. Syria
Why Turkey's brides are doing disappearing act In the process of increasing visibility of Islamization, wedding invitations become contested territory in Turkey. Turkey
Ankara must go through US, Russia to get to YPG Recent developments on the ground suggest that any new Syria incursion by Turkey could encounter unexpected obstacles. Syria
Israel’s new chief justice — the right person at the right time Newly elected Chief of the Supreme Court Esther Hayut is the right person at the right time to withstand the aggressive forces on the political right in the battle threatening the independence of the court and Israel’s democratic values. Israel
Noose of investigations tightens around Netanyahu New developments in the investigations directly or indirectly involving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggest that indictments might be in his future. Israel
Erdogan goes after Morocco’s Gulenists Several Turks affiliated with the Gulen movement have been arrested in Morocco, raising questions about the kingdom’s independence in its decisions. Turkey
Lack of public schools in Ramallah fuels boom in private education A lack of government schools in Ramallah is forcing residents to pay for private education, while the government makes plans to resolve the problem if the necessary budget becomes available. Palestine
