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
Tehran courts Kurds as Washington amps up rhetoric against Iran Iranian Kurdish opposition groups and Iran are conducting talks in Oslo, in what some see as an Iranian bid to safeguard against Kurdish collaboration with the United States. Iraqi-Kurdistan
Turkey removes Arabic shop signs as refugee problem simmers Arabic shopfronts have fallen prey to growing popular resentment over Syrian refugees in Turkey, fueled by the country’s economic downturn and cultural wars. Syria
Ilhan Omar seizes spotlight to push pro-BDS resolution Rep. Ilhan Omar plans to introduce a pro-BDS resolution days after President Donald Trump invoked Israel to defend his racist tweets that put her in the national spotlight. Israel
EU downgrades diplomatic ties, funding with Turkey over Cyprus gas drilling Ankara remains undeterred as EU imposes punitive measures on Turkey over controversial gas drilling activities near Cyprus. Turkey
Will Liberman save Israel’s democracy? Whatever his motives, this coming September Yisrael Beitenu leader Avigdor Liberman could secure his place in history as the politician who successfully saved Israel from extreme religiosity and separated a criminal suspect from the prime minister’s seat. Israel
Will Israel's religious right stand for conversion therapy for gays? The statement by United Right party head Rafi Peretz on conversion therapy for gays generated harsh reactions also from within his own political camp. Israel
Despite Netanyahu's blitz, Liberman grows stronger Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expended great efforts to hurt Yisreal Beiteinu leader Avigdor Liberman in a battle for his Russian voters, but Liberman continues to make gains in the polls. Israel
Russia, UN take another stab at forming Syria’s constitutional committee Despite real progress on the formation of a constitutional committee for Syria, challenges remain ahead of a new round of Astana talks. Syria
Zarif advises US against war, says dialogue still possible Iran's foreign minister is in New York for a high-level UN meeting, where he is engaging in his characteristic public diplomacy efforts despite the US government's strict curbs on his movement in the city. Originals
Meet the 'fast and furious' of Lebanon Leila Nasrallah developed a passion for cars and driving at the age of 13 and today has helped assemble a community of fellow enthusiasts who meet every day to talk cars, race each other and drift. Lebanon
Sunnis accuse Shiites of expanding influence in Mosul Sunnis in the city of Mosul are disappointed about the growing Shiite influence in the city following the liberation from the Islamic State. Iraq
Gaza constructors to work in Arab countries The Palestinian Contractors Union has convinced Arab markets to employ Palestinian contractors, amid the regressing construction sector in the Gaza Strip. Palestine
