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
Ultra-Orthodox war against Jews ascending Temple Mount Ultra-Orthodox leaders generally agree that Jews should not ascend the Temple Mount, but a growing number of Orthodox-Zionist rabbis support Temple Mount activists in their campaign to ascend, for nationalist reasons. Palestine
A weakened Abbas cannot save Hamas The Hamas movement should have realized long ago — not now that it is too late — that it cannot survive without the rule of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas over both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Palestine
What 'bombshell' will Abbas drop at upcoming UN speech? Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has promised a dramatic declaration at the coming UN General Assembly that some believe will include an ultimatum to Israel: Freeze settlement building or assume responsibility for security throughout the West Bank. Palestine
Senate lays off Iranian banks in latest draft of post-deal bill The latest iteration of Sen. Ben Cardin's pending legislation addresses many — but not all — of its critics' concerns Congress
How Palestinian security forces are cracking down on their own people The Palestinian security forces in the West Bank are often put in an unenviable position when having to suppress their own people, particularly when it comes to protecting Israelis. Palestine
Why do Iranian hawks keep circling over Zarif? With Iran disappointed with US actions in the region following the nuclear deal, prospects for broader dialogue appear dimmed. Iran
Have spies infiltrated Iranian media? Twelve conservative Iranian Parliament members wrote in a statement to the Intelligence Ministry that it must take action against spies that have infiltrated the media. Iran
Soaring bad debts sound alarm in Turkey Political uncertainty and conflict with the PKK are taking their toll on the Turkish economy, with the number and value of bounced checks on the rise, threatening company bankruptcies and fresh woes in the banking sector. Turkey
West Bank wall threatens Palestine’s flora, fauna The wall Israel is building in the West Bank is taking a toll on nature and animals. Palestine
As Turkey's students head back to class, many fear escalating violence Millions of students in Turkey are set to return to school Sept. 28, and their families are deeply concerned that the students will be in danger if clashes worsen between the government and PKK. Turkey
Gazans consider the Strip 'unhabitable' now A UN report has warned that Gaza may become uninhabitable by 2020, yet according to some Gazans the precarious security and living conditions make the coastal strip already unlivable. Palestine
Tourists drawn to hot springs, natural beauty of Egypt's remote Siwa Oasis Located near Egypt's western border with Libya, the Siwa Oasis offers visitors everything from healing hot springs and a nature preserve to archaeological treasures. Egypt
