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 militias aspire to be like Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Iraqi Popular Mobilization Units consider themselves as an "alternative" state institution, like the IRGC; Russia-Turkey "reset" stumbles on Syria; United States and Russia need to conclude agreement on Syria. Iraq
What's behind meeting between Italian ambassador, prominent leader of Iraq's PMU? The Italian ambassador to Baghdad official meets with the secretary-general of the League of the Righteous movement, Qais al-Khazali, which reads as clear support for Shiite militias in Iraq. Iraq
Three years on, wounds of Egypt's deadly sit-in dispersals linger Many protesters who had participated in the Rabaa al-Adawiya Square sit-in continue to suffer emotionally and physically following the violent dispersal by the police on July 3, 2013. Egypt
US elections 2016: Why we shouldn’t count Trump out Here’s what happened on the campaign trail the week of Aug. 15. United States
Egypt’s state TV under fire after suspending anchorwomen until they shed pounds Despite once being a victim of discrimination herself, the head of an Egyptian broadcasters' union has forced eight female public employees off the air, demanding they lose weight. Egypt
Can Turkey-Russia trade reach $100 billion target? The two countries have been after this target since 2013, but until now have only reached $38 billion. Turkey
Gentrification glitter fades into dust in Istanbul’s heart Istanbul’s most famous avenue falling into urban decay is a sign of economic hardship awaiting Turkey in the near future. Turkey
Saudis expect little from next US leader As the regional security situation deteriorates around them, the Saudis are not optimistic about either candidate for the US presidency, with Hillary Clinton likely to continue current policies and Donald Trump a frightening wild card. Saudi Arabia
Why some think this former Israeli PM is planning a comeback Accusations by former Prime Minister Ehud Barak against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might be part of Barak's political comeback strategy. Israel
11 years on, have Gazans failed to invest in liberated areas? More than a decade after Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip, the liberated lands remain mostly empty, with analysts urging the Palestinian Land Authority to optimize the use and cultivation of these lands. Palestine
Gaza takes pineapple test Gaza's Union of Agricultural Work Committees announced that it will try to grow pineapples for the first time in Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip, within the scope of the project to promote sustainable development through the most profitable crops. Palestine
Iraq sinks further into debt Despite nominal moves to diversify its sources of revenue, the Iraqi government's dependence on falling oil prices and the cost of its war against the Islamic State mean the Iraqi economy is drowning in debt. Iraq
