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
Vital Palestinian private sector not getting necessary foreign aid A recent study found that despite the significant role foreign aid plays in the Palestinian economy, the private sector is not receiving the support it deserves. Palestine
How Gaza’s plastic factories are betting on recycling Plastic factories in the Gaza Strip seek to develop the local production of products through recycling, and break the reliance on imported goods. Palestine
Who will liberate Raqqa? The United States says a military operation to isolate the Islamic State stronghold of Raqqa needs to get underway within weeks, but Turkey as well as Washington’s Syrian Arab allies oppose any plan to use Kurdish forces to take the city. Iraq
Two Americans detained in tense Tunisia border town Matters got interesting after two American brothers in their early 30s traveled to a Tunisian town near the Algerian border. Tunisia
How Egyptians are responding to soaring costs A campaign to lower food prices for Egyptians has good intentions, but economic experts say it will have no lasting impact. Egypt
Why Reformists have no choice but to back Rouhani Despite the discontent among his key Reformist backers, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani seems set for another term — if only because of a lack of options. Iran
The main reason Rouhani replaced three of his ministers There are many reasons for the Iranian president’s decision to reshuffle his Cabinet, but none outweigh his drive to cement his chances for a second term in next year’s election. Iran
Will Iran allow the EU to open shop in Tehran? Iranian politicians are divided on the new EU Parliament resolution that favors normalization of ties with Iran. Iran
Diyarbakir protests timid as Kurds wary of post-coup crackdown Furious over the arrest of their co-mayors, the Kurds of Diyarbakir are protesting by the thousands, but the crowds would be larger if the population weren't exhausted by the ongoing conflict with the Turkish government and afraid of being targeted. Turkey
Risk indicators growing for Turkish economy Turkey’s growing economic, political and geopolitical risks have caused significant losses in foreign capital inflows, on which the country’s economic growth relies. Turkey
Is new imam answered prayer or impending doom for Hagia Sophia? While many Turks applaud the appointment of an imam inside the Hagia Sophia, others worry President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is claiming the national and historical treasure to build his case for an imperial presidency. Turkey
Israeli far-right activist betrayed by his own Last year, far-right activist, journalist and former Knesset member Sharon Gal launched hate campaigns against those defending democracy and freedom of expression, only to become a victim of the monster he created. Israel
