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
Thousands of teens enroll in Hamas summer camps Al-Qassam Brigades and Hamas have set up camps across the Gaza Strip where future generations of Palestinians can receive training on the Palestinian cause, the proper use of firearms and fighting Israel. Palestine
Not one student in 349 Jordanian schools passed critical exam The high failure rates of the General Secondary Educational Certification Exam, or Tawjihi, raised a debate in Jordan about the efficiency of the Education Ministry, the unqualified teachers and the high number of Syrian children attending Jordanian schools. Jordan
Now Erdogan is cooking up a coup to overthrow himself Erdogan has been promoting his “presidential system” as the way for Turkey. Now, without any amendment in the constitution, he is declaring it as a “de facto reality.” Turkey
Turkey's Temple of Apollo may decode gray mysteries of antiquity Recent restoration efforts at the Temple of Apollo in western Turkey seek to answer questions about the history of this ancient structure. Turkey
Israel must wake up and 'recognize reality' of Iran deal The crisis in Israeli-US ties following the Iranian nuclear agreement demands a fundamental shift in Israeli policy, including Israeli recognition of the deal and an immediate change in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s relationship with the White House. Israel
In bid to foster Iranian nationalism, Tehran launches first-ever Kurdish language program This fall, Kurdish language studies will officially be offered to university students in Iran, a move many see as the long overdue fulfillment of a constitutional right. Iran
Sisi sails into Suez on swanky yacht Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi sailed al-Mahrousa to inaugurate the expansion of the Suez Canal, making the historic craft the first to officially cross the waterway. Egypt
Israel increasingly isolated as Iran opens up to region Following its nuclear deal with world powers, Iran seems to be opening up to the world, including to its regional nemesis, Saudi Arabia, while Israel stands alone in the world in its opposition to the agreement. Legacy: Gulf
Yazidi infighting, disputes over Sinjar stall battle against Islamic State Kurdish political parties have formed various armed forces that are fighting for control of Sinjar, which is still not out of danger from the Islamic State. Iraq
When does the concept of reality set in for Israeli children? Israeli puppeteers are divided over when children understand the difference between reality and make-believe. Israel
Israel to spend over $14 billion on defense in 2015, but where's it going? One Israeli MK vows to keep pressing for answers In an interview with Al-Monitor, Knesset member Karin Elharrar, chair of the Knesset’s State Control Committee, says she's not intimidated by the country’s leading generals and vows to continue inspecting the defense budget and demanding more transparency and efficiency. Israel
Moscow's revolving door of Arab monarchs, Syrian opposition Russia continues to navigate the complex process of tackling the Syria crisis, slating Damascus as a hopeful ally against the Islamic State. Syria
