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
Tribute band carries legacy of Egyptian-Italian icon Egyptian band Monde Dalida rises to the task of passing on the legacy of the Egyptian-born singer to the next generation. Egypt
Another general 'testing the waters' of Egypt's presidential race Gen. Sami Anan has reportedly announced his candidacy in the upcoming Egyptian presidential elections, but there is some doubt being cast about his intention to run. Egypt
Defiant Palestinians boycott US projects, products US President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel has prompted various Palestinian boycotts of US-funded projects and programs. Palestine
IS families lose their homes in Syria’s Akhtarin The local council of Akhtarin, in the Aleppo countryside, is confiscating the properties of former IS and regime fighters to benefit victims of the war. Syria
Who will run against Sisi in Egypt’s elections? Would-be candidates for the Egyptian presidential elections will most likely be unable to ensure enough support to participate in the race. Egypt
Iraq backs off plans to double number of US-trained counterterrorism forces With all of Iraq now liberated from the Islamic State, the elite Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service is shifting its focus away from large-scale battles. Iraq
Erdogan vows to 'destroy all terror nests' in Syria Turkey's president has sworn to "destroy" terror groups in Syria in an outburst likely triggered in part by the US-led coalition training a new Syrian border security force that will include YPG fighters. Syria
Questions persist as Canal Istanbul construction begins We have to hope Ankara has developed contingency plans for the potential political, economic, environmental and especially geostrategic consequences of the Canal Istanbul project. Turkey
Why protests won’t change Iran’s foreign policy The recent wave of unrest in Iran is unlikely to change the calculations that underpin the Islamic Republic’s foreign policy. Russia
Confrontation between Rouhani, hard-line clerics heats up Hard-line clerics rail against Iran’s moderate president over his remarks in favor of freedom of speech. Iran
Experts examine Erdogan's continuing escalation in Syria Decoding the Turkish president's harsh rhetoric on Syria is becoming increasingly difficult as he alienates almost all parties working to end the war. Syria
Saudi Arabia, Turkey watch Iran-Iraq oil rapprochement warily The oil swap deal between Iran and Iraq represents an opportunity to counterbalance Saudi-Iraq ties. Saudi Arabia
