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
Turkmens unite against Kurdish designs on Kirkuk Iraq's Turkmens hope opposition to the recent Kurdish independence referendum will help them strengthen their political presence and keep the Kurds from annexing Kirkuk. Iraq
Lebanon’s new wines step on stage Old and new vineyards show off their wines and present them to local and international buyers at Beirut's Vinifest. Lebanon
Saudis could seek Russian bailout in Yemen Saudi Arabia is eager to put an end to the Yemeni conflict, and Russian mediation is looking like its best option. Saudi Arabia
Turkey, US keep finding ways to vex each other Amid allegations and at least one arrest, a series of retaliatory moves between Turkey and the United States affected Turkey's currency and raised concern about the countries' relations. Turkey
How Salman’s Moscow visit will impact regional agenda The historic visit of Saudi King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud to Russia was largely symbolic, as his son, who has increasingly taken over the Russia file, stayed home to look after the kingdom. Saudi Arabia
Can Putin stop Erdogan from shutting down Iraqi Kurdish pipeline? In a visit to Tehran, Turkish president coordinates next steps with Iranian leaders; Cengiz Candar on the loss of former Iraqi President Jalal Talabani; Al-Monitor receives prestigious Online Journalism Award for explanatory reporting. Iraq
Turkey, Iran could unite to overcome their Kurdish worries The emerging Iran-Turkey rapprochement, driven by their mutual desire to contain the Kurds, has led to agreements on military cooperation, but the odds appear to be against a formal military alliance. Iraq
The story behind first permanent US base in Israel The United States has inaugurated its first military base in Israel, housing a powerful US provided and operated radar system. Israel
Can UAE be a bridge between the US, Sudan? The UAE has persuaded the United States to lift sanctions against Sudan given Sudan’s efforts to counter Iran’s expanding and consolidating regional influence. United Arab Emirates
US missile defense sale to Saudis seen as effort to thwart Russia The Donald Trump administration OK’d a $15 billion sale of anti-missile technology to Saudi Arabia after Riyadh moved to buy a rival Russian system. Saudi Arabia
US Air Force ‘stretched’ by Islamic State fight in Iraq, Syria Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson said the service suffers from a lack of planes and pilots as well as ongoing budgetary uncertainty as it flies an increased number of missions against the Islamic State. Iraq
Turkey’s post-referendum fury exposes armed ‘volunteers’ Turkey’s nationalist opposition leader has warned of 5,000 volunteers ready to fight for the Turkmens in Kirkuk, but Turkey’s own Kurds seem to be the actual target of the threat. Turkey
