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
Lebanese Shiites fear Salafist terrorism during Ashoura This year, the Salafist practice of targeting Shiite Ashoura processions in Iraq may spread to Lebanon. Lebanon
Iraqi debate over Baghdad as Arab cultural capital As events to recognize Baghdad as the Arab Capital of Culture for 2013 get underway, Iraqis artists and creative producers express their discontent with the Ministry of Culture . Iraq
Iraqi children face poverty, violence, exploitation Iraq's children are the victims of widespread poverty, political dysfunction and sectarian violence. Iraq
Expectations low for Gaza Tamarod protest Hamas and political analysts do not expect significant demonstrations on Nov. 11 as Tamarod tones down its rhetoric ahead of the protest. Palestine
Another Egyptian president on trial A dangerous and profound rift in Egypt will not be healed soon. Egypt
Morsi's trial escalates split in Egypt The violent reactions to the beginning of former President Morsi's trial show that Egypt is in need of a speedy reconciliation. Egypt
The return of Turkey’s 'zero problems' policy Turkey rebuilds ties to Iran and Iraq and faces the realization that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad will likely be part of the transition in Syria. Iraq
Iraqi checkpoints provide little security In the ever-volatile Iraqi capital, many citizens fail to feel reassured by the hundreds of security checkpoints that mostly slow down daily life around the city. Iraq
Turkey mostly mum on chemicals seized on Syria border The latest chemical-seizure incident is drawing attention to lax control of Turkey’s border. Syria
The water threat in Iran Water scarcity is becoming a source of popular frustration with the government in parts of Iran. Originals
Levant Christians consider threats to their communities During a gathering of Christian representatives from various Near East countries in Beirut, participants were divided when it came to determining their main enemy and strategies for the future. Yemen
Hamas reconciles with Gaza Salafists After years of tension, Hamas has reached an understanding with local Salafists that will allow them limited activity if they cease conducting operations independent of Gaza's armed factions. Palestine
