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
Why the IDF is targeting yeshiva dropouts Through Facebook and other means, the IDF is tracking ultra-Orthodox youths who lie about their enrollment in rabbinical colleges to avoid conscription. Israel
Is Congress paving the way for a Christian safe zone in Iraq? A bipartisan effort to denounce an ongoing genocide is picking up steam. That's just the first step. Iraq
Amid worsening relations, Saudi Arabia executes three Iranians Iran's Foreign Ministry is accused of ignoring regional issues after three Iranians inside Saudi Arabia were executed for drug trafficking. Saudi Arabia
Turkey's alcohol restrictions spark boost in bootleg booze The Turkish government’s hefty taxes on alcohol have led to bootleg liquor production, which has claimed at least 26 lives over the past month. Turkey
Battle against Bibi's natural gas plan fails to garner public support Unlike their strong interest in issues such as housing prices or banking reform, Israelis are not engaged with the battle against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's natural gas plan. Israel
The IDF's Hebron dilemma The IDF must face a shift in the current violence wave, where Hebron takes the lead alongside East Jerusalem, as both have a high level of daily friction between Jews and Palestinians and constant religious tension. Palestine
Netanyahu finds chilly welcome on US visit Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in the United States with a long military aid list, but the Obama administration was not inclined to forget his antagonistic behavior. Israel
The child soldiers fighting to stop the Islamic State Iraqis are divided between supporters and opponents of the participation of young people in the war against the Islamic State. Iraq
Egypt electoral law a step toward justice for women In an interview with Al-Monitor, veteran diplomat Mervat Tallawy talks about women in the Egyptian parliament and the long road that they still have ahead to reach equitable leadership positions. Egypt
Will Hebron become 'the capital of the intifada'? Hebron, the largest West Bank city, might be just a few steps away from conducting armed confrontations against the Israeli army. Palestine
Iran sets its sights on Armenia Competition between US, Iran in Caucuses heats up as Iran identifies a new trade partner. Iran
Officials say new Israeli rules slow aid to Palestinians New restrictions on importing lumber jeopardize temporary housing for Palestinians who lost their homes in the 2014 war with Israel and aid agencies report delays in other imports to Gaza and the West Bank. Palestine
