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
Congress wants return on $1.5 billion investment in Israel missile shield US taxpayers fork over millions of dollars every year for Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system. As worldwide threats grow, Congress wants deployed US troops to reap the benefits. Israel
As tensions flare with Iran, Israel embraces Russia Russian President Vladimir Putin’s role as mediator between Israel and Tehran is gaining importance as turmoil threatens to boil over in Syria. Israel
Ankara vows to help resist US sanctions on Iran Turkey has reacted to the promised US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal with outrage, though some analysts believe the US withdrawal offers Turkey opportunities. Turkey
Turkey stands to suffer under new US sanctions on Iran Turkey might have a tough time dealing with pending US penalties against Ankara's trading partner Iran. Turkey
Israel’s Liberman advances ‘Pay to Slay’ bill Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman promotes the ‘Pay to Slay’ bill, deducting payouts to families of assailants from tax revenues of the Palestinian Authority. Palestine
Who is really driving the slump of the Turkish lira? Though the flight of foreign investors is often cited as the main factor behind the slump of the Turkish lira, official data indicate that growing distrust in the currency stems largely from domestic actors. Business
Iraqi air force targets IS sites in Syria ahead of elections Despite earlier opposition to any Iraqi military intervention in Syria, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi ordered the air force to strike Islamic State sites in Syria for the second time this year. Iraq
Will Iraqi elections avoid traditional sectarian divides? While the May 12 elections include Shiite candidates running in predominantly Sunni areas and vice versa, Iraqis are divided over whether or not this represents a step toward overcoming sectarian divides. Iraq
Iran’s housing sector keeps building Iran’s housing sector is on track to escape its yearslong stagnancy, yet Iranian tenants are still squeezed by rising rents. Iran
Iranian media claim Syrian, not Iranian, rockets struck Golan Officials in Tehran have not yet responded to allegations that Iran was behind the attack on the Golan, while Iranian media are asserting that it was a Syrian strike. Israel
Ancient city of Mardin gets big dose of contemporary art Contemporary artworks at the 4th Mardin Biennial pay homage to the heritage of Mardin, a multicultural city with a strong Assyrian, Arabic and Armenian past. Turkey
Will Abbas seek rival's arrest through Interpol? During the PNC meeting April 30, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas indicated that figures will be repatriated via Interpol, which pointed to the possibility that dismissed Fatah leader Mohammed Dahlan may be among them and raises questions as to whether the Palestinian Authority will succeed in prosecuting fugitives abroad. Palestine
