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 Curriculum Draws Criticism In East Jerusalem Schools The addition of the Israeli curriculum to five schools in east Jerusalem has been heavily criticized by Palestinian officials. Palestine
Erdogan Wants the Olympics Troubled at home and abroad, Turkey’s prime minister hopes for an Olympic win for Istanbul that can provide a much-needed antidote to his political woes. Turkey
Is This the End ForEgypt's Muslim Brotherhood? There are three options for the Muslim Brotherhood to reverse its fortunes. Egypt
Iran Pleased With US Pause On Syria Strike Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif had been stressing the need for cooperation and consultation on Syria. Syria
Syria's Rebels Not Unified On US Strike Syria's rebels are cautious about attacks that they believe may benefit Israel, and not aid them in defeating President Bashar al-Assad. Syria
Factional Politics Limit Effectiveness of Lebanon Army The Lebanese Armed Forces are well trained and armed, but handicapped by Lebanese politics. Lebanon
Turkey’s Stairway to A Democratic Heaven The crumbling, concrete street stairs in an Istanbul alley have become the latest battleground for the colorful pluralism of society and the “gray” authoritarianism of politicians in Turkey. Turkey
Veteran Journalist, AKP Official Clash Over Egypt The former managing editor of daily newspaper Hurriyet clashes with Huseyin Celik, deputy chairman of the AKP, over Egypt. Egypt
Turkey's Role Limited In Syria Crisis Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu justify their tough approach to Syria, but may not have much of a role in de-escalating the crisis. Syria
Delay in Action Against Syria Could Help Geneva II Track Bad memories of the Iraq invasion should lead to negotiations to end the Syrian conflict. Iraq
Sinai's Suicide Attack:An Eyewitness Account A suicide bombing and overall violence has led to fear among Sinai residents of what comes next. Egypt
