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
At 70, Israel sits atop a volcano Israel’s army holds a definitive advantage over the rest of the region, but the 70-year-old country is confronted by multiple enemies and points of conflict. Palestine
Will Netanyahu's quest to limit high court's authority stifle democracy? A battle championed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a law prohibiting the Supreme Court from overturning legislation might succeed, despite warnings that it would effectively destroy democracy in Israel. Israel
IDF prepares response to Gaza Nakba Day protests The Israeli army estimates that Hamas plans to continue with the protests along the Gaza border long after their original deadline of Nakba Day, on May 15. Palestine
Strikes raise threat to US troops in Syria The Pentagon announced plans to increase the protection level for the 2,000 American troops in Syria after US-led strikes this weekend, highlighting risks to US troops on the ground. Syria
Jailed US pastor finally appears in Turkish court American Pastor Andrew Brunson, who has become a political football between the United States and Turkey, finally got a chance this week to address a Turkish court. Turkey
Erdogan ally calls for early elections President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and head of the Nationalist Action Party Devlet Bahceli will meet tomorrow to discuss the latter's call for early elections. Turkey
Will Ankara’s support for Syria strikes impact Turkish-Russian ties? Turkey’s enthusiastic support for US-led strikes targeting Assad’s military assets prompts questions about Ankara’s erratic approach to the Syrian crisis. Syria
Despite emphatic past denials, Erdogan calls for early elections By moving presidential elections up by over a year, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has everything to gain. Turkey
Iran’s deputy environment chief resigns amid mounting pressure from hard-liners The sudden resignation of the young deputy head of Iran's Department of Environment, who had moved back to Iran from the UK to take the position, has stirred controversy. Iran
Iraqi musicians fight to revive ancient art of maqam A handful of enthusiasts are trying to save Iraq's age-old melodic system known as maqam, which was placed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008. Iraq
Electronic vote counting sparks controversy ahead of Iraqi polls Despite the advantages offered by electronic counting and sorting devices in the Iraqi elections, fears remain that the results will be falsified. Iraq
Ahmadinejad mired in clash with judiciary, IRGC Pressure is piling up on former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as two of his key aides are detained. Iran
