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
Leading Israeli bank involved in nuclear missiles industry While many countries and companies avoid investing in companies that develop weapons of mass destruction, a Dutch organization reveals the funding sources of the global nuclear weapons industry. Israel
Egypt’s 'Muslim Sisterhood' moves from social work to politics Following the ouster of President Mohammed Morsi and the arrest of Egyptian Brotherhood leaders, the "Muslim Sisterhood," the female branch of the Brotherhood, has taken on a more prominent political role. Egypt
The social politics of weddings in Yemen The phenomenon of mass weddings is spreading in Yemen. Yemen
Lebanon in crisis from spillover of Syria conflict Difficulty accommodating the exorbitant numbers of Syrian refugees pouring into the country, as well as growing sectarian tensions between Sunni and Shiite Muslims, highlight Lebanon’s dire situation. Lebanon
USAID halts key project in Gaza The US Agency for International Development has phased out a crucial $100 million project in Gaza that helped many poor Palestinians make ends meet. Palestine
Gazans want electricity, not Hamas military parades Hamas' show of force on the streets of Gaza is not resonating with a population enduring a severe electricity and economic crisis. Palestine
Senate holds off on new Iran sanctions US President Barack Obama’s meeting with congressional leaders offers a reprieve from the Senate moving ahead with sanctions legislation on Iran, at least until December. Iran
Young Egyptians reclaim Tahrir Square, trash monument Young Egyptian revolutionaries express their frustration with Egypt’s past and present rulers. Egypt
Egypt marks another grim anniversary under military rule Egyptian activists lament the lack of progress since the clashes of November 2011. Egypt
Iran Embassy bombing: Repeat of Iraqi model in Lebanon? The suicide bombing targeting the Iranian Embassy in Beirut on Nov. 19 shows that al-Qaeda has established both tactical and ideological cells in Lebanon. Lebanon
Lebanon enters 'third stage' of suicide bombings Tuesday’s suicide attack on the Iranian Embassy in Beirut represents a new stage of violence in Lebanon, with Lebanese citizens targeting their compatriots at home. Israel
Subdued Ashoura in Iran's holy city of Mashhad This year there appeared to be a more subdued Ashoura to commemorate Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, in Iran's holy city of Mashhad. Iran
