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
Shimon Peres outlines his vision for Israel, the region in 2048 Former President Shimon Peres argues that despite the current dire situation, Israel's future is not bleak. Palestine
Netanyahu, Cabel battle over natural gas outline In an interview with Al-Monitor, Zionist Camp Knesset member Eitan Cabel said he will fight to ensure that any deal to exploit Israel's offshore natural gas will be in the public's best interest. Palestine
Who has 'boots on the ground' in fight against IS? A mismatch in priorities between the United States and its Sunni allies is obliging the Obama administration to rely more on Iran-backed forces to fight the group that calls itself the Islamic State. Iraq
Iran MP defends trip to Finland to 'promote Islam' Conservative Iranian MP Hamid Rasaei has been criticized for once again traveling to Europe. Iran
Fatah-Hamas score settling holds unity government hostage Amid ongoing disputes between Fatah and Hamas, the fate of a new government still hangs in the balance. Palestine
Is Israel using Sinai attack as wedge between Hamas, Egypt? Opinions differ on whether the latest attack by IS affiliates Wilayat Sinai, who attempted to cripple the Egyptian army, would negatively impact the relationship between Hamas and Egypt. Palestine
Sunnis, Shiites show unity in Najaf While the news headlines scream of sectarian violence, many everyday Iraqis tell a different story of cohesion and solidarity in cities where the displaced have gathered. Iraq
Turkey shuts down smugglers by shooting mules The tension in villages of Uludere in Turkey that lost 34 people in an airstrike by the Turkish air force three years ago persists and frequently develops into confrontations with Turkish soldiers. Iraq
Turkey’s lively Ramadan tables The fast-breaking Ramadan dinner in Turkey is a crowded affair where people come together to share and socialize, entertain themselves and even make political statements. Turkey
Iranian negotiators determined to reach nuclear deal Iranian diplomats have said they will continue talking until an agreement is reached or it becomes absolutely clear that one is not possible. Iran
South Beirut clashes spark deja vu The recent fighting between young pro-Future Movement Sunni men and pro-Hezbollah Shiite youth raised fears about the eruption of sectarian clashes in Lebanon, as happened on May 7, 2008. Lebanon
Is IDF gearing up to fight the Islamic State? Israeli military personnel disagree on whether a decision to unite commando units into a single brigade is driven by the Islamic State threat or the need to adapt to the changing reality of the battlefield. Near East
