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
Travel permits aim to manage, not solve, Palestine-Israel conflict Palestinians were granted permits to travel to Israel for the Eid al-Fitr holiday, but larger issues remain. Palestine
Gazan society comes together on stage A recent play in Gaza, produced by a liberal director of modern works and the Hamas-affiliated Palestinian Artists Association, gives hope for a revival of an inclusive theater scene in the Gaza Strip. Palestine
Syrian refugees in Armenia 'stumble from one crisis to another' Syrians of Armenian origin who fled Aleppo are finding it difficult to cope with their new situation in Armenia. Syria
Erdogan’s shift on Islamic State linked to Kurdish gains in Syria Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan finally takes on the Islamic State while attacking PKK bases in northern Iraq; Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu now the only US ally actively opposing Iran deal; Israel faces pressure to forgo demolition of Palestinian village. Palestine
Turkey drawn into vortex of violence A sudden escalation of attacks against police and the military after the Suruc suicide bombing prompts fears that the cease-fire with the Kurds has ended. Turkey
Congress gets extra dose of Iran before summer recess A look at the Middle East issues Congress will be addressing the week of July 27. Iraq
Post deal, can Rouhani deliver on promises of reform? Iranian President Hassan Rouhani must tread lightly to ensure economic prosperity after sanctions relief. Iran
Rape of young girl in Iran met with muted response The incident is raising questions of a double standard media censorship in Iran. Iran
Gaza universities now more accessible, for all the wrong reasons Universities in Gaza are lowering their admissions standards in what appears to be a way to realize profit while disregarding the needs of the market. Palestine
Iraqi Christian militia draws foreign fighters Foreign fighters who have joined Dwekh Nawsha, a Christian military organization fighting the Islamic State in Iraq, are finally seeing combat. Iraq
Saudi-Iranian understanding key to nuclear deal's success The nuclear deal should be a prelude to major coordination between Saudi Arabia and Iran if it is to help bring about peace in the region. Pan Arab
Does Turkey care about cultural diversity? More than 100 countries have endorsed a UN convention on protecting cultural diversity, but a decade after its inception, the convention still awaits ratification by the Turkish parliament. Turkey
