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
What does de-Baathification mean for Iraq's Kurds? Given the Baath regime crimes against the Kurds, the Kurdish street is angered at the several scandals, including that the KRG did not react to the law to ban the Baath Party. Iraq
Yemeni conflict goes back to square one Yemen’s internationally recognized government and Houthi rebels and their allies continue to engage in divisive efforts rather than attempting to end their conflict. Legacy: Gulf
Knesset plans lobby for return of Palestinians to their villages An effort to create a majority lobby to force the Israeli government to allow Palestinian citizens of Israel to return to their villages is being advocated. Palestine
Is Israel planning all-out war on Hamas? There has been a lot of talk lately about Israel launching one last war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to annihilate the group, and Hamas is preparing for this possibility. Palestine
Israelis split over floating harbor off Gaza Israeli officials announced their opposition to building a floating harbor off the Gaza coast, which Hamas condemned and considered to be another measure to tighten the siege on the Gaza Strip. Palestine
Why are so few Arabs interviewed on Israeli TV? Published ratings tracking the number of Israeli Arab interviewees on Israeli TV has got the media's attention. Israel
Tehran's famed modern art museum goes digital After decades of carefully guarding its treasures, the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art is uploading its priceless collection of contemporary art. Iran
North Sinai students face extremes to reach their dreams As school resumes, dedicated students in volatile North Sinai have more to worry about than homework. Egypt
Post-nuclear deal, Iran looks to expand ties with Latin America Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi discussed Iran’s economic goals in Latin America ahead of a trip by an Iranian delegation to the region. Iran
Is EU giving up on Israel-Palestine conflict? With the US preoccupied by elections, Egypt not committed, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas politically weak and Israel reluctant, the European Union is about to give up on the two-state solution process. Palestine
Why are Turks disposing of $1 bills? The discovery of $1 bills on Turkish soldiers involved in the July 15 putsch suggest the greenback has been used as a secret code of communication. Turkey
Is Turkey abandoning NATO or vice versa? Some Turks view NATO’s aloofness regarding the coup attempt as a sign it is fatigued by Turkey's continual crises. Turkey
