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
Iranian rescuers find missing plane after two days of searching Iranian rescuers find the wreckage of a missing passenger plane after two days of searching. Iran
Six factors driving Iran’s sudden currency devaluation A confluence of political, economic and psychological factors appears to be behind the recent plunge in the Iranian currency’s value on the free market. Iran
'Black Friday' of Turkish democracy Three events from Feb. 16. — a deal to release a Turkish-German journalist, the verdict against three prominent journalists and censorship in the trial of a prominent Turkish-Kurdish politician — demonstrate how Turkey's democracy is being undermined. Turkey
Despite progress on paper, Turkey, US still leagues apart US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s visit may have averted a major clash, but the volatile situation in Syria will ensure that ties between Ankara and Washington remain fragile. Syria
Russia calls on Jordan to help stabilize Syrian 'safe' zones Jordan has been moving closer to Russia since Moscow gave it a growing role in Syria, a role that could include acting as a buffer there between Iran and Israel. Jordan
Hamas’ grip on Gaza weakens With smaller militant groups threatening Hamas' position in the Gaza Strip, the movement might decide to launch a military operation against Israel. Palestine
Iranian film on Tehran's role in Syria war creates controversy The first Iranian film depicting Tehran’s fight against Islamic State terrorists divides observers into two camps: those who think it is a great film by a great director and those who think it is just a cliche. Iran
Jordanians protest price hikes but in surprisingly small numbers Although few people have been taking part in protests against price hikes in Jordan, analysts believe the public movement could still make a difference. Jordan
Egyptian women say their time is coming in presidential races Despite their historical absence in contests for president, Egyptian women believe one of their own will run for president someday soon. Egypt
Egypt steps up military operations in Sinai ahead of elections The timing of an anti-terror military operation launched in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula has raised questions about President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s motives ahead of the presidential elections scheduled for March. Egypt
Najaf’s wax statues kindle meltdown for conservative Iraqi clerics The exhibition of wax sculptures in a museum in Najaf, a conservative Shiite city, marks a major reformist development and a cultural breakthrough. Iraq
Netanyahu’s real crime: Plundering land for settlers Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might be indicted for receiving gifts from businessmen, but he will not be indicted for giving the gift of Palestinian land to settlers. Palestine
