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
Is there any role left for PLO in determining future Palestinian-Israeli relations? Questions arise about the PLO’s ability to implement the decisions of its Central Committee to end the security coordination with Israel. Palestine
Is Israel isolating itself? Israel is too focused on promoting its struggle against the Arab world to formulate a foreign policy toward peace and regional integration. Israel
Will G-20 summit improve Erdogan’s international image? Europe’s need for Turkey’s cooperation in the refugee crisis is forcing EU leaders to moderate their tone against Erdogan’s undemocratic ways. Syria
Infighting overshadows Iran press exhibition Boycotts and accusations against media close to the administration have overshadowed Iran's 21st Press Exhibition. Iran
Kurds in postelection Turkey: Silver lining or tough times? The Kurdish peace process, which Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan once described as frozen but not dead, is not likely to thaw soon. Syria
Why was Hamas interested in the Turkish elections? Hamas leaders were among the first to congratulate the AKP for its victory in the Turkish elections, as Turkey has always supported the Palestinian cause. Palestine
Are Israelis ready for compromise on Jerusalem? Strategic adviser Moshe Gaon claims that much like in the days of the 2000 Camp David summit, Israelis are ready for significant compromises on the condition that they bring an end to the conflict with the Palestinians. Palestine
Why Iran and Russia aren't as closely aligned on Syria as you might think Despite the shared short-term goals that have currently united them on Syria, Iran and Russia's differences over Syria's future are bound to lead them into conflict. Syria
Jerusalem and Hebron: A tale of two cities East Jerusalem and Hebron are bound by familial ties and shared solidarity from their experiences under Israeli occupation. Palestine
Will Washington put more boots on the ground in Iraq? The recent operation in Hawija led by the United States to release Islamic State hostages raised a debate in Iraq about the government’s powers and sovereignty over its territory. Iraq
How Egyptian revolutionaries rocked the vote In an interview with Al-Monitor, Mohamed Badran, the young head of the Nation's Future Party, explains why his new party performed so strongly in the first round of Egypt’s legislative elections. Egypt
Obama's unfinished business Barack Obama may become the first US president since Lyndon Johnson not to leave his signature on an advancement in the peace process. Palestine
