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
Democracy in Morocco will require collective effort Morocco’s deep state is worming its way into pre-election machinations. Morocco
How Egypt's state TV is trying to soothe popular anger Egyptian state TV is running political advertisements in the hope of spreading optimism among citizens, but some argue the ads are meant to promote a second term for President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Egypt
Meet the likely successor of Islamic State’s Baghdadi After IS spokesman and second-in-command Abu Mohamed al-Adnani was killed in an airstrike last month, there are indications that Bahraini citizen Turki al-Binali may replace him. Saudi Arabia
Is Turkey backpedaling on expulsions following mass purges? Turkish officials have admitted that innocent people could have been victimized in the massive purges since the July 15 coup attempt. Turkey
Crushed under restrictions, young Turkish journalists find freedom in print media A new brand of literary magazines that present thinly veiled messages of popular resistance against increasing social, cultural and political pressure from the government have so far evaded censorship and are delighting more readers every day. Turkey
Iranian commander offers rare advice The special military adviser to Iran’s supreme leader has called for Tehran to strengthen ties with the Gulf states and avoid increasing tensions with Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
Political accusations fly in Iraq's Kurdistan region The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan is witnessing a sharp division that could affect the regional government's ability to address Kurdish issues. Iraq
Israel dangles Gazan operatives, but Hamas won't negotiate Despite multiple offers by Israel, Hamas refuses to make a deal for the release of three Israelis before Israel releases 50 prisoners it recaptured in 2014. Palestine
Shimon Peres, the last Israeli giant The era of former president Shimon Peres, the last Israeli who was “there” — when Israel was established — is coming to its end. Israel
How Iran’s Ahmadinejad plans to propel political comeback In addition to opposition from the public and the Reformists, former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad faces antagonism within his own Principlist camp. Iran
Rise of Iran-backed militias jeopardizes US aid to Iraq US law prohibits military assistance unless Baghdad reins in PMU. Iraq
Is Egypt-Saudi love affair on the rocks? While some in Saudi Arabia are furious after the grand imam of Egypt’s Al-Azhar spoke at a Chechen conference that condemned Riyadh, others argue that ties between the two are stronger than ever. Saudi Arabia
