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
Will West Bank annexation harm US-Jordan security cooperation? There is too much at stake for Jordan to jeopardize its relations with the United States over Israel's plans to annex parts of the West Bank and the Jordan Valley. Jordan
Pro-Iran militias in Iraq wage 'fake news' campaign against US Several pro-Iran militias have lately claimed responsibility for attacking US forces in Iraq, but examining their media activities indicates they are probably fake groups created by existing militias to show strength without taking the risk of ramifications. Iraq
Temple Mount reopens amid growing tensions in Jerusalem After the killing of Palestinian Iyad al-Hallak by an Israeli police officer, authorities fear conflict is brewing on the Temple Mount. Palestine
New coronavirus clusters in Lebanon's marginalized communities For many who have been dealing with the effects of Lebanon’s ongoing economic crisis or have been marginalized by their refugee status, the pandemic has not been a priority. Lebanon
Fourth Iranian tanker reaches Venezuela as US ups pressure A State Department official said it is warning companies about doing oil-related business with Venezuela as the ships continue to arrive. United States
Reports: Children among the dead after Syrian rebels clash in Turkish-held Afrin Clashes between Syrian rebel groups in the northern city of Afrin left at least two children dead Thursday. Syria
Turkey's assault against Syrian Kurds leaves trail of misery and spin Was a burn victim hit by white phosphorus during Turkey's invasion of Ras al-Ain in October? Whatever the reason, he and many others are still suffering. Syria
Greece to allow tourists from Israel, Lebanon The European country will open up for tourists from Israel, Lebanon and several other European countries in June. Israel
Iraq registers dramatic jump in COVID-19 cases There were 416 new confirmed infections of the novel coronavirus in Iraq today. Iraq
Libya cease-fire 'failed completely,' says Russian Foreign Ministry A spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry blamed foreign interference for the prolonged conflict in Libya. Libya
What does Libya’s ‘Syrianization’ scenario mean for key actors? Turkey may have gotten kudos for tipping the balance in Libya, but Russian countermoves raise the prospect of Turkish collaboration with Russia in the North African country, which is not to the liking of countries that have been giving plaudits to Ankara. Syria
Intel: State Department approves $1.4 billion upgrade for Kuwait’s missile defenses The US State Department approved Kuwait’s request for $1.425 billion in upgrades for the Gulf country’s Patriot missile defense systems. Kuwait
![A British Royal Air Force Harrier GR7 groundcrew member cycles along the apron infront of a Patriot Missile defence system on his base in Kuwait April 6, 2003. [U.S. troops have a tight control on Baghdad airport and will move out from there in all directions, Jim Wilkinson, a spokesman for U.S. commander General Tommy Franks, said on Sunday.] - PBEAHUOQIBA](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2020/05/RTXLWAK.jpg/RTXLWAK.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=Rlh7RZgw)
