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
What's Behind the Sectarian Tensions in Yemen? Tensions between Yemen's two warring sects mean the country is still in danger of a civil war erupting. Yemen
Has Erdogan Overstayed His Welcome? Most countries set term limits for top officials to avoid antagonizing the population and to inject new energy into government; Turkey should do the same. Turkey
Abbas Turns to Europe The appointment of European-oriented Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah could be aimed at getting Europe more involved in talks with Israel. Palestine
The Mideast in Venice Nine Middle Eastern countries are represented at the Venice Biennale, including a piece aptly called "Resistance" from a Turkish artist. United Arab Emirates
American University Graduates Students From Across Iraq The American University of Iraq in Sulaimaniyah brings together Iraq’s various religious and ethnic groups, providing education away from the country's sectarian divide. Iraq
Tunisia's Ruling Ennahda Confronts an Islamist Rival Exploring the conflict within the Islamist constituency in Tunisia between Ennahda and the Salafists — and why it was inevitable. Lebanon
Assad Toys With Erdogan Over Riots Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is losing the high ground in his response to protests. Syria
Gaza Youth Flee Harsh Life To Israel Sneaking into Israel is becoming a more attractive option for Gaza’s unemployed youth as living conditions in the besieged enclave continue to deteriorate. Palestine
Iraqi Kurds Criticize Growing Turkish Influence The KRG’s drive for autonomy and stability via Turkey is revealing the gaps between Kurdish economic and political aims and between KRG elites and local populations. Iraq
Black Friday: A Turning Point In Turkey’s History? May 31, 2013, may become one of those turning points for Turkey. Turkey
Erdogan Blames Foreign HandIn Protests Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused foreign intelligence services of being behind the street demonstrations in Turkey. Turkey
The Fight Over Israel's Natural Gas Despite what tycoons and the government might want, Israelis seek a just division of future revenues from natural gas reserves. Israel
