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
Saudi prince's endorsement of MEK angers Iranian officials Prince Turki bin Faisal Al Saud’s attendance at the annual meeting of the People’s Mujahedeen of Iran has angered Iranian officials and media. Saudi Arabia
What Turkey fails to understand about IS Conspiracy theories keep Turkey’s new ruling class in a bubble of self-delusion, blinding them to the bitter and complex realities that Turkey faces. Turkey
Turkey's artists face growing government pressure Freedom of expression in the arts and entertainment have been under mounting government pressure to toe the AKP's conservative line or face sanctions. Turkey
Following reconciliation with Israel, will Turkey revive ties with Cairo next? While Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim expressed the desire for his country and Egypt to become closer politically and economically, Egyptian officials have reservations in this regard. Egypt
How the IRGC is trying to tighten its grip on Rouhani A controversial bill on eligibility for appointment to “sensitive" positions would give the IRGC's Intelligence Organization vetting authority parallel with that of Iran's Intelligence Ministry. Iran
Why Israeli watermelons are making headlines in Gaza As local watermelon supplies dwindle, the Ministry of Agriculture in Gaza has allowed the import of watermelons from Israel and lifted an eight-year ban to cover the daily consumption of nearly 600 tons. Palestine
Will US funders shell out for new political party in Israel? Former Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon has begun laying the groundwork for his own party to offer a more moderate alternative to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel
Netanyahu distracts public, buys time with Egypt talks Facing another police probe, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is directing the public's attention to a possible summit in Cairo with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Palestine
What do recent attacks mean for future of Egypt's Christians? Sectarian attacks against Christians in Egypt have increased recently, with the police downplaying these incidents that go largely unreported in the mainstream media. Egypt
Jabhat al-Nusra 'al-Qaeda's largest formal affiliate in history' Testimony by US official comes as Amnesty International report documents “abduction, torture and summary killings” committed by Jabhat al-Nusra and allied Syrian armed groups. Egypt
Is Egypt’s Sisi hoping for Trump win? Although Donald Trump's stance on the Muslim Brotherhood is in line with that of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the presumptive Republican nominee's statements on Muslims in general have decreased his popularity in Egypt. Egypt
Iraqis look to get ahead on keffiyeh fashion The headdress worn by Iraqi men has become the embodiment of Arab prestige and a status symbol worn not only by ordinary citizens, but also by politicians and dignitaries who use it to profess their political and social standing. Iraq
