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
Hard-liners rage against Rafsanjani as elections near Ayatollah Rafsanjani's announcement that he intends to run in the upcoming Assembly of Experts elections prompts hard-liners to launch a wave of attacks. Iran
Will Jordan agree to set up a 'safe zone' on Syrian border? Jordan is considering the option of establishing a safe zone along its border with Syria, amid lack of US support for Turkey’s attempts to do the same on its southern border. Jordan
Egypt's Nubians refuse to allow heritage to fall through cracks of history Faced with threats from damming projects, Arabization and marginalization, Nubian communities in Egypt and abroad are exerting efforts to preserve their language and unique cultural heritage. Egypt
Will US sanctions disrupt Iran-Russia economic ties? Washington’s concerns about Russian actions, including its relations with Iran, and Moscow’s diminishing interest in accommodating them seem set to heighten competition and tensions in the Middle East. Russia
Exploring the 'other Syria' Syria’s regime-controlled cities defy the image that outside observers paint of the country and the Assad government. Syria
Israelis mesmerized by bridge demolition The spectacle surrounding the demolition of the Maariv Bridge reflects Israeli society today: hedonistic, mesmerized by TV shows and hooked on grand media events, escaping the harsh realities of threats from Syria and Gaza. Israel
Fighting returns to Zabadani after truce fails After negotiations in Turkey failed, Syrian regime forces and Hezbollah have resumed their attacks in Zabadani while opposition factions, mainly Ahrar al-Sham, have resumed military operations in al-Fawaa and Kefraya. Syria
Weak security plagues Egypt’s archaeological sites Security is tight in Egypt’s state institutions, but neglect is slowly destroying the country’s rich heritage as archaeological sites lack trained and armed security guards to protect them from terrorists and looting. Egypt
Bombings, terror threats don't keep Copts away from Egyptian churches During the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, Egyptian Copts and Muslims both visit churches across Egypt, ignoring the high temperatures and terror attacks sweeping the country. Egypt
IRGC head warns Rouhani President Hassan Rouhani drew the ire of the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for criticizing the Guardian Council's role in approving candidates for the elections. Iran
Why are so many young Gazans jumping off roofs? Despite the dangers, some Gazan youth are finding outlets for their energy by taking up sports like parkour and Okinawan kobudo. Palestine
Moroccan cartoonists fight for their right to express themselves It doesn’t seem like Morocco is the perfect place to be for daring caricaturists and satirical writers, but despite restrictions, some are still fighting for freedom of expression. Morocco
