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
Ongoing violence, curfews keep doctors from tending to sick in southeast Turkey Alarm bells are ringing for the health sector in Turkey’s conflict-ridden southeast as draconian security measures and simmering violence disrupt medical services and lead to civilian deaths. Turkey
Syrian regime displaces Zabadani residents Syria’s Madaya is under siege and suffering from an influx of people displaced by the regime's attacks on Zabadani. Syria
US sanctions Hamas leaders, but why now? Hamas suspects the United States is trying — but failing — to undermine the movement's truce efforts by designating three Hamas leaders as terrorists. Palestine
Opposition-regime swap deal in Syria frozen until further notice A Lebanese official told Al-Monitor that the swap deal discussed between the Syrian army and Hezbollah and the opposition fighters concerning Zabadani and two Shiite villages in Idlib province has been postponed until the outcome of King Salman’s visit to the United States unfolds. Lebanon
One migrant’s encounter with death As people in Libya try to make their way out of the country, mainly through illegal means, they are realizing the danger involved in the smuggling operations. Libya
Double victory for Palestine in FIFA qualifying match The qualifying soccer match between Palestine and the United Arab Emirates ended in a draw; both sides considered it a victory for Palestine for being able to host a home game on Palestinian territory. Legacy: Gulf
'Guests of God' pay high price Has the commercialization of the pilgrimage to Mecca overshadowed the Saudi leadership’s goal of serving Muslims? Saudi Arabia
Zarif testifies before parliament’s nuclear deal committee Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif testified before parliament's special committee to review the final comprehensive nuclear deal. Iran
Is Turkey ignoring Islamic State threats against Christians? Turkey’s tiny Protestant community has received recent threats believed to be from the Islamic State, but as in the past, state authorities have failed to take measures to protect the community. Turkey
Syria's new capital … Istanbul While Europe panics over 224,000 refugees, displaced Syrians have reached 330,000 in Istanbul alone. Syria
Turkey, PKK clashes continue, but will there be a winner? The spiral of violence that engulfed Turkey on July 20 is worsening by the day. Turkey
Did Jabhat al-Nusra kill 'allied' FSA Commander Radoon? Responsibility for the assassination of Free Syrian Army Cmdr. Jamil Radoon Aug. 26 remains unclaimed, raising suspicions whether Jabhat al-Nusra could be behind this act. Syria
