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
How Morsi, Brotherhood Lost Egypt Inclusion and civil cohesion must become the cornerstone of Egypt’s transition. Egypt
The Rise of the Iranian Moderates The international community should seize the opportunity by Iran’s turn toward moderation and engagement under President-elect Hassan Rouhani. Iran
Iraqi Provinces Consider More Autonomy in Managing Oil Wealth An Iraqi researcher suggests that provinces across the country producing oil take advantage of the autonomy provided by amendments to the provincial administration laws. Iraq
Would Military Rule Work in Lebanon? The recent clashes with Sheikh Ahmad al-Assir and Egypt's example have renewed Lebanese pride for their military, but it seems unlikely that military rule could be successful in Lebanon. Lebanon
Hamas Isolated After Coup in Egypt The fall of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, the change of leadership in Qatar and the loss of Iranian support have left Hamas isolated. Palestine
Does Rouhani Hold 'Key' to Release Mousavi and Karroubi? Iranian President-elect Hassan Rouhani said during his campaign that it may become possible to allow the release of those under house arrest and imprisoned after the 2009 presidential election. Iran
Saudi Arabia Pleased With Morsi’s Fall Saudi Arabia has a vested interest in the Muslim Brotherhood’s failure in Egypt and the message it sends to sympathetic audiences in the region. Saudi Arabia
Rachel Corrie Remembered By Family of Bulldozed Home The family whose home Rachel Corrie tried to defend a decade ago continues to commemorate her tragic death. Palestine
EU Loses Patience With Israel US Secretary of State John Kerry's statements of "progress" in the peace process are keeping the European Union from taking a more proactive role. Palestine
Egypt’s Military Ousts Morsi, Names Judge as Interim President The Egyptian military deposes President Mohammed Morsi and names Adly Mansour, head of the Supreme Constitutional Court, as interim president, causing Tahrir Square demonstrators to rejoice. Egypt
Atalay Claims Jewish Diaspora Was Behind Gezi Park Protests The Turkish Jewish community is concerned by Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay's claim that the Jewish Diaspora instigated Gezi Park protests. Israel
Egypt's Brotherhood Must Be Assured Part in Politics The opposition must be clear in condemning attacks on the Muslim Brotherhood, and in reassuring the Brotherhood that it will continue to be part of the country's political fabric in the future. Egypt
