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
Everything you've ever wanted to know about Fethullah Gulen, Turkey's most controversial cleric Questions remain concerning the future of Fethullah Gulen, a minor preacher who quickly rose to become one of Erdogan's closest allies, only to fall out of favor and remain in self-imposed exile in the US. Turkey
Why the Mosul offensive has yet to succeed Frustrations between the Iraqi army, peshmerga forces and local villagers have presented a major obstacle in the operation that was launched in late March to recapture Mosul from IS. Iraq
How Obama can push the Saudis to talk to Iran As US President Barack Obama is due to visit Saudi Arabia, the UN Security Council should consider acting on its mandate to jump-start dialogue between regional actors on an inclusive security architecture. Saudi Arabia
Clashes between IS, Jabhat al-Nusra spell despair for Yarmouk residents Clashes between Jabhat al-Nusra and Islamic State militants in the Yarmouk refugee camp portend more despair for Palestinian residents, whose situation is already desperate. Syria
Ankara uses water pipeline to drown out opposition in Turkish Cyprus Turkish Cyprus has been plunged into a political crisis in the wake of Ankara’s imposition of a tough water-supply agreement coupled with the suspension of financial aid to the island. Turkey
Gaza's schoolyard exorcisms A video of a teenagers tearfully repenting their sins together at school under the direction of Hamas-affiliated preachers has many Gazans outraged over religious affairs officials' involvement in education. Palestine
Who is really inciting violence in Israel-Palestine conflict? Deputy Palestinian Information Minister Mohammed Khalifa tells Al-Monitor that, while Israel blames them for incitement, right-wing Israelis are responsible for the violence. Palestine
Why a seaport won't solve Gaza's problems Israel cannot simply offer some gestures to improve the situation in Gaza without negotiating a comprehensive solution to end the occupation. Palestine
Congress puts stranglehold on Palestinian aid Key lawmakers are incensed with terrorism support and statehood bid. Palestine
Syria talks pulled back from brink UN Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura looked to the United States and Russia for help after the Syrian opposition said it will pause its participation in formal negotiations but stay in Geneva until it sees progress on strengthening the cease-fire and aid access. Syria
Will drought fuel water conflict between Cairo, Addis Ababa? As drought continues to plague Ethiopia, the longstanding dispute over precious water resources in the Nile Basin is intensifying. Egypt
Iranian-Saudi rivalry claims another victim Jordan recalling its ambassador from Tehran for consultations opens another front in the Iranian-Saudi rivalry, along with conflict over the hajj and oil. Saudi Arabia
