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
Allawi: Even Syria interferes in Iraq’s elections Iraqi politican Ayad Allawi spoke with Iran's IR Diplomacy about his complicated relationship with Iran. Iraq
Smuggling of banned pesticides a problem in Gaza Misuse of pesticides in Gaza’s agricultural industry poses a dangerous risk to farmers and consumers of Gazan produce. Palestine
Iraqis defy terrorists to vote in elections The Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission is reporting a 59% voter turnout, despite the threats of violence. Iraq
Hamas won't give up military wing despite agreement Fatah and Hamas have deferred discussion on the fate of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades. Palestine
US terror report details 'price tag' violence by Israeli settlers The State Department's annual report on terrorism includes acts of violence by Israeli settlers along with terrorism by Palestinians. Israel
Former US diplomat warns of possible 'grave mistake' in Syria Ryan Crocker, former US ambassador to Syria, Iraq and Lebanon, warns against a regime change plan that would depose the Alawite power structure in Syria and advises the Obama administration to contain the fighting by backing US regional allies, but not to intervene militarily. Syria
Sinai ignored in Egypt development plans Egypt celebrated the liberation of Sinai from Israeli occupation on April 25, but Sinai locals, who feel neglected by the central government, have little to cheer about. Egypt
In Turkey, how Germany’s president became ‘Germany's imam’ The rampant political paranoia in Turkey is even capable of demonizing German President Joachim Gauck as the “imam” of a treacherous “parallel state.” Turkey
Israeli sanctions on Palestinians could backfire The Israeli assumption that economic pressure will return the Palestinians to "the straight and narrow path," has already proven to be ineffective and might endanger the motivation for successful security cooperation. Palestine
AIDS patients in Gaza face isolation, humiliation Several treatment programs are available to AIDS patients in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, where they are treated as outcasts by society. Palestine
Gazans mock Australia for cattle ban Palestinians are expressing their exasperation with Australia’s decision to ban cattle exports to Gaza because of ill-treatment, while seeming to ignore the treatment of Palestinians under occupation. Palestine
Al-Monitor remembers Bassem Sabry Bassem Sabry's colleagues at Al-Monitor reflect on the mark he left across the region. Egypt
