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
Khamenei calls negotiation with US 'lethal poison' Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has again criticized the nuclear deal, saying due to US-made obstacles, there have been no tangible effects for the people of Iran. United States
After massive purge, what’s next for Turkish Armed Forces? The major structural changes the Turkish Armed Forces is facing following the July 15 coup attempt could have big implications for the army’s strategic culture and Turkey's foreign policy. Turkey
Is Erdogan really stronger after failed coup? Contrary to the prevailing view that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has emerged stronger from the failed coup attempt, a seasoned eye can discern signs that Turkey’s strongman feels less powerful. Turkey
Cause or cult? What it means to be a Gulenist What really motivates Fethullah Gulen's movement — tolerance and peace or blind ambition? Turkey
Demand for reform reaches Iraq's electoral commission A group of Iraqi parliamentarians wants to dissolve the Independent High Electoral Commission, but no satisfactory mechanism for selecting a new commission has been offered. Iraq
Why Israeli opposition leader shouldn't rejoice over convention victory The victory of Labor Chair Isaac Herzog over the party primary date has little significance in terms of public support and his chances to become the next prime minister. Israel
Will Bibi bring down Israel's public broadcasting? Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been redoubling his efforts to squash the new public broadcasting corporation before it is even born in his quest to control the media. Israel
Jordan launches battle against Uber The Jordanian government is cracking down on Uber drivers because the company is in violation of public transit laws. Jordan
Bookmobile speed-reads through Gaza neighborhoods In response to the acute shortage of public libraries in the Gaza Strip, the French-German Cultural Center in Ramallah has sent its mobile library on its second mission to encourage Gaza’s children to read. Palestine
Will Egypt hold popular referendum on islands transfer? In an interview with Al-Monitor, former Egyptian presidential candidate and lawyer Khalid Ali discusses the case he brought before the administrative court to challenge Cairo’s decision to transfer ownership of two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
Al-Qaeda affiliate’s desperate 'switch' validates US Syria policy Fear of US and Russian airstrikes on eve of Syrian offensive a sign that Jabhat al-Nusra may be feeling the heat; Turkey’s de-Gulenification campaign in context; retired Saudi general probes Israeli commitment to peace settlement. Saudi Arabia
