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
Turkey calls on Russia, Iran to get Syrian army under control The Syrian army's attacks against armed groups at Idlib could ignite tensions between Russia and Turkey. Syria
A new refugee flow to Europe: Turkish refugees The mass arrests in Turkey after the failed coup in July 2016 have prompted many Turks to flee their country for Europe. Turkey
Will Israel cut Palestinian budget for terror payouts? Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman and other Israeli politicians claim that the stipends paid to Palestinian prisoners in Israel and their families constitute incitement to terror. Palestine
Gas deal haunts Netanyahu again amid strip club recording scandal The scandalous audiotape of Yair Netanyahu must be examined by the legal authorities to see if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acted wrongfully when authorizing the 2015 natural gas deal. Israel
Iran's aid to militant groups not going anywhere despite protests Although groups funded by Iran throughout the region have refrained from expressing a stance on Iran’s protests, it's believed that Iran is unlikely to cut or halt such aid even as protesters demand ending the support. Palestine
Palestinian artist draws vivid picture of women's suffering, rage Palestinian artist Hanaa Hamash pays homage through her artworks to the Palestinian women living under occupation. Palestine
Palestinian leadership faces monumental decisions The Palestinian Central Council faces some tough choices when it meets in Ramallah, but it is unclear what consensus can be reached on. Palestine
Women’s organizations in northern Syria have come a long way Although women’s organizations are successfully raising awareness about women’s rights and the need to fight sexual violence and crimes in north Syria, challenges represented by a patriarchal society remain. Syria
Palestinian national dish fuels Al-Aqsa protests Maqluba, the beloved Palestinian dish, has become a tradition of the protests in Jerusalem and elsewhere, reinforcing Palestinian community and solidarity. Palestine
US sanctions hinder Iranian protesters’ ability to organize online As the Iranian protests die down, hawkish lawmakers and dovish advocates are united in their concern that US sanctions are inhibiting protesters’ ability to organize. United States
Do improved ties with France, Germany signal end to Turkey’s EU bid? Turkish liberals lament the state of Ankara-EU relations, but pro-government analysts believe developing practical ties with key European powers is better than waiting at the EU’s door. Turkey
Russia, Iran must 'stop the regime' in Idlib, pleads Turkish FM Turkey’s Foreign Ministry has ramped up diplomatic efforts to get the Syrian government to halt its offensive in Idlib. Syria
