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
Israeli musical giant Arik Einstein mourned by Israel Singer Arik Einstein symbolized to Israelis all that was and is beautiful, pure, modest and creative in the country. Israel
Singer Arik Einstein: a synonym for all things Israeli Israelis grieve the sudden passing away of singer Arik Einstein, an indispensable part of Israel's music heritage; "Einstein is dead and something has also died in each and every one of us." Israel
Former Israeli intel minister says US-Israel ties critical in dealing with Iran In an interview with Al-Monitor, former Minister of Intelligence and Atomic Energy Dan Meridor says Israel should join the global campaign against Iran rather than attacking the first-step agreement. Israel
Turkey rebuilds ties to Russia on regional issues Turkey reconsiders its relations with Russia, testing a more pragmatic approach to the region. Turkey
Egypt’s new protest law provokes demonstrations, backlash Egyptian police use water canons and tear gas to disperse protests. Egypt
Netanyahu plays the Iran card in Israeli politics Can Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu adjust to the possible change offered by the agreement with Iran? Israel
Israeli Bedouin on strike against relocation bill Israeli Bedouin reject the Prawer Plan, aimed at regularizing their illegally constructed localities in the south of Israel by tearing down homes and relocating them in crowded ''Bedouin towns.'' Israel
Netanyahu's alarm about Iran balanced by military chiefs Contrary to the alarmist stance of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, past and present chiefs of Israel's Defense Establishment do not reject the agreement signed with Iran. Israel
Turkey’s AKP-Gulen conflict in context The row over private tutoring halls between the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Gulen community is just a smoke screen in their power struggle over controlling the state. Turkey
Iran nuclear accord requires secular 'reset' of Turkey's foreign policy In the aftermath of Iran's nuclear accord, Turkey can only play an effective regional role if it adopts a secular foreign policy. Saudi Arabia
Lebanese independence from 1943 pact to Baabda Declaration In Lebanon’s 70th year as an independent republic, the series of treaties and agreements to overcome internal disputes can all contribute to a more comprehensive solution to the question of national unity. Lebanon
Turkey rethinks state-run Kurdish paramilitary force If the peace process with the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) gains traction, the status of the state-backed Kurdish village guards will be brought into question. Turkey
