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
Israelis support Netanyahu, but also two-state solution A new poll confirms that while Israelis support Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his right-wing government, they also support the two-state solution. Israel
Turkey trial seeks to account for six critical hours during coup As the trial of key Turkish military officers allegedly involved in the failed coup enters its second week, the public awaits answers to questions that have lingered since the July 15 event. Turkey
Questions about Zarif as Rouhani’s second term agenda emerges Major questions remain about Iranian President Hassan Rouhani’s foreign policy approach for the next four years. United States
Iranian judiciary chief attacks Rouhani over promise to free opposition leaders Iran’s judiciary chief attacks the president over his campaign promise to free the leaders of the Green Movement. Iran
Iran blames Turkey for PKK-affiliate clash on border An Iranian Kurdish militia's attack on Iranian border guards has further muddled the often contradictory actions of Turkey, Iran and their respective proxies and enemies who occasionally double up as both. Turkey
In wake of Trump visit, Saudi-led Sunni bloc already splintering Less than two weeks after Trump's summit in Saudi Arabia, "Arab NATO" is showing signs of division due to fears of widening the regional political divide and doubts over Washington's reliability. Saudi Arabia
Defying Erdogan’s calls, Turks rush for dollars A significant amount of loan money, released as incentives for the Turkish business community, appears to have ended up in high-yield bank deposits and foreign currency, reflecting widespread mistrust in the future of the Turkish economy. Turkey
Residents of Iraqi Kurdistan stock up on spirits as Ramadan kicks off Due to the Kurdish region's policy of closing liquor shops during the fasting month of Ramadan, the prices of alcohol on the black market go up, raising the question, especially by Christians, why they have to be penalized by a secular government. Iraq
Trump risks repeating Obama's Mideast mistakes Like his predecessors, President Donald Trump is about to discover that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposes the only possible deal to end the conflict with the Palestinians. Palestine
Future uncertain as jihadis begin to leave Damascus' Yarmouk camp Fighters from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a former al-Qaeda affiliate, are leaving Syria’s largest Palestinian refugee camp as per a deal with the regime, although the residents do not seem so enthusiastic. Palestine
Egyptians seek psychological support online In light of exacerbating social and economic pressure, Egyptians are seeking psychotherapy online, but what are the pros and cons of this online service? Egypt
Trump makes no promises during Bethlehem whistle-stop US President Donald Trump hit most of the right notes on his visit to Palestine, but what Palestinians need from a peace process is likely not on Trump’s agenda. Palestine
