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
Kurdish cantons in northern Syria already linked One of the most heated issues of the Syrian war has been the possibility of Kurdish cantons connecting, overcoming Turkey’s threatening objections. And now, with the Aleppo road open, Kurdish cantons are connected for the first time in four years. Iraq
Despite deadly border clash, Iran-PKK war unlikely Though attributed to the PJAK, the recent deadly border clash along Iran’s border with Turkey involved the PKK and is unlikely to escalate. Turkey
Ultra-Orthodox party risks shakeup as Israel's interior minister investigated The criminal investigation into Interior Minister Aryeh Deri's finances could send the Shas Party he heads into another battle over its leadership. Israel
Syrians in Egypt demand clearer work regulations Syrians who fled their country and settled in Egypt have so far contributed to the Egyptian economy with more than $800 million, but they have yet to get their papers in order. Egypt
In eye of regional storm, Hamas pushed closer to Tehran Iran has recently welcomed the election of Hamas’ new leadership, which raises questions about Hamas’ next step in forming and mending its regional relations. Palestine
Palestinians call Israeli economic offer too little, too late While Israeli Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon made a dramatic visit to Ramallah to announce a package of economic concessions, the Palestinians were less than impressed. Palestine
Iraqi Kurdistan faces many obstacles to independence referendum Amid a strong regional disagreement, Iraqi Kurdistan is insisting on holding a referendum on independence in the fall. Iraq
Egyptian film about revolutions soon in cinemas Egyptians disagree over whether or not there is sufficient documentation available to produce a film depicting the political conflicts that led to the January 25 Revolution and the ousting of President Mohammed Morsi following the June 30, 2013, protests. Egypt
Syrian NGO begins rebuilding war-torn Idlib The relative calm prevailing in northern Syria’s opposition-controlled areas, specifically in Idlib province, is inspiring relief organizations to launch reconstruction projects aimed at infusing life back into the devastated areas. Syria
Egypt launches initiative to keep farmers from bailing on their land Many of Egypt's farmers are abandoning agriculture and moving to the cities to find employment, but an initiative by the Union of Producers and Exporters of Horticultural Crops is trying to encourage farmers to stay put. Egypt
Bahrainis' shrinking political space The Bahraini government is sending a message about loyalty to its population by removing the organizations representing its Shiite and secular opposition from the political arena. Legacy: Gulf
US, Russia hold secret talks over south Syria safe zone US and Russian officials are quietly negotiating a deal over a proposed "de-escalation" zone near the border with Jordan. Syria
