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
There is no room left for Erdogan in Sudan turmoil Sudan’s international failures have provided Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan several opportunities, but now some of the moves are likely to generate significant costs for Turkey. Legacy: Gulf
Baghdad cabbies struggle with change as Green Zone opens up Baghdad's taxi drivers face new challenges with the reopening of the Green Zone having to compete with ride share apps and helicopter and river transport services. Iraq
Baalbek: symbol of power or living city? The “Baalbek: Archives of an Eternity” exhibition collected an unprecedented number of objects from the ancient Lebanese city, exploring the interplay of power and people through the millennia. Lebanon
Celebrating Afcon: Exhibit highlights Egypt’s sports through ages An exhibition of Egypt's sports heritage in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo shows that sports was clearly for all in Egypt — from rulers to women. Egypt
How Israel, Hamas reached a truce Hamas leaders realized that Gaza residents won’t put up with Israeli punitive measures such as blocking fuel exports and limiting the fishing zone much longer. Palestine
Why Israeli liberals should consider partnering with Netanyahu Ahead of the September elections, Israel's Blue and White Party should seriously consider forming a national unity government under a rotation agreement with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel
Trump blames Obama for Turkey’s purchase of Russian weapons The US president said his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been treated unfairly over his decision to buy Russian-made missiles that may jeopardize NATO security. But he stopped short of saying they have a deal to spare Turkey economic sanctions once it acquires the antiaircraft system. Turkey
Why did UAE foreign minister go to Russia following his meeting with Pompeo? Russia appreciated that the United Arab Emirates took part in discussions about exercising restraint when it comes to US-Iran tensions. Originals
The Art of the Deal: Trump turns to Putin on Iran ‘A diplomatic way out’; Iran’s patience runs out; Trump has ‘all the time in the world’; Oil for Food 2.0?; Iraq, Afghanistan and prisoners: Steps in the right direction? Iraq
Egyptian activists arrested as Cairo cracks down on critics Egyptian authorities arrested activists and lawyers in predawn raids June 25, claiming the men were part of a Muslim Brotherhood conspiracy to stoke violence against the state. Egypt
Intel: Where candidates came down on Iran in Democratic debates In a debate where foreign policy received very little airtime, Iran disproportionately dominated the national security discussion among Democratic presidential hopefuls this week. United States
Bryant Harris talks 2020 candidates' views on US policy towards the Middle East Bryant Harris, Al-Monitor's congressional correspondent and author of the US Elections 2020 project, discusses the democratic candidates Middle East policy views in a webinar recorded on June 28, 2019. Originals
