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
France charm offensive alienates Palestinians French President Francois Hollande's much publicized support for Israel will ensure the Palestinians keep France away from US-led peace talks. Palestine
Time to close deal with Iran An agreement with Iran would be a win, if not a breakthrough, for US interests and allies in the Middle East. (Updated) Syria
Egypt’s Ultras: Revolutionaries to villains? The Ultras, decisively active during the protests, are now being blamed by some in the media for contributing to chaos in the country. Egypt
Will Bulent Arinc, founding father of AKP, depart over dispute with Erdogan? Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey Bulent Arinc, a voice of reason in Turkish politics, has signaled that he may retire after a very public dispute with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkey
Of Greek fathers and Turkish sons The racist comments of a senior opposition MP draw reactions from Turkey’s Greek minority, raising questions on how long the party’s neo-nationalists and true social democrats can coexist. Turkey
Netanyahu tweet a low point in international discourse The Israeli prime minister's insulting of Iran on Twitter shouldn't derail the Iran nuclear talks in Geneva. Israel
What surprises can we expect from Avigdor Liberman? The pragmatic character of Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman might surprise those who catalogued him in the right wing of Israel's political map. Israel
Syrian tragedy plays out on Jordan's streets The majority of Jordan's 550,000 Syrian refugees live in urban areas, not camps. Jordan
Despite despair, no signs of third Palestinian intifada The youth of the West Bank are tired of occupation, economic crisis and corruption, but with no charismatic leadership, they do not envisage a third intifada. Palestine
Diyarbakir is ready for the historic visit Diyarbakir is ready for the visits of Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government President Massoud Barzani and Kurdish singer in exile Shivan Perwer, upon Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s invitation. Iraq
Is Turkey experiencing the autumn of the patriarch? The Justice and Development Party's well-nurtured image as a unified political force is taking hits. Turkey
Israeli technology expert: information revolution at heart of Arab Spring Israeli defense technology adviser Haim Assa explains in his book on Marx, Nietzsche and Tahrir Square that cyberspace has enabled the masses to understand their force and ability to topple leaders, in a democracy building process that may last for a decade. Egypt
