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
Sudanese refugees hunted in Egypt Sudanese refugees in Egypt refuse to go back to Sudan, where they fear the National Intelligence and Security Service could be waiting around the corner to harm them or their families. Egypt
Fatah still shuns violence — for most part Fatah doesn't seem inclined to return to violence against Israel as long as President Mahmoud Abbas is in charge, though some members of the faction want to keep the option open. Palestine
Is Iran setting up new military forces in West Bank? Israeli security recently dismantled a cell in the West Bank, claiming it works in the interests of Iran — an announcement some Palestinians questioned in light of the ongoing regional developments. Palestine
Abbas' diplomatic turn puts Washington in the rear-view mirror The Palestinian leadership appears to have decided to direct its diplomatic efforts toward the United Nations and The Hague now that the United States has openly displayed its bias in favor of Israel. Israel
Humanitarian disaster looms in northern Idlib Tens of thousands of Syrians displaced to northern Idlib by the latest Syrian regime offensives are in need of urgent assistance. Syria
Hamas shifts West Bank strategy Desperate Hamas has changed its strategy and is now increasing its involvement in planning terror attacks against Israelis in the West Bank. Palestine
Iraq's Islamists dump religion for upcoming elections Islamist parties in Iraq are shedding their religious platforms to focus on reform in the campaign for upcoming elections and are also allying with secular parties. Iraq
Jerusalem community center offers new tune to ultra-Orthodox Abiya Beit Midrash community center opens new perspectives for ultra-Orthodox young people who are curious about what goes on beyond their sector. Israel
Democrats draw red line on Trump’s new Syria policy Congressional Democrats are fuming over the Donald Trump administration’s plan to use US military forces in Syria as a curb on President Bashar al-Assad and Iran. Syria
Tunisian protesters get seven-year itch The austerity measures announced by the Tunisian government as part of this year's budget seem to be targeting the most vulnerable groups in society, including the middle class and the poor. Tunisia
Russian jury still out on Turkey's Afrin offensive Though reports in Turkey suggest the Russians have greenlit plans for an operation in Afrin, Turkey’s top military and intelligence brass emerged from talks in Moscow today looking glum. Syria
Rouhani doubles down on Iran's conservatives with 'digital economy' plan Unlike conservatives, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani sees opportunities rather than threats in the expansion of the country's cyberspace. Iran
