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
Erdogan renews threats over Kurdish oil Turkey's president has renewed threats to disrupt the exportation of Iraqi Kurdish oil and invoked Russian cooperation in doing so, despite Russian claims of non-interference. Iraq
What Talabani's death means for future of Iraq The future doesn't look well for Iraq and the region in the wake of former President Jalal Talabani's death. Iraq
How did haircuts, nail polish become part of Iran's Shiite mourning rituals? Traditional Shiite mourning rituals for the holy month of Muharram are being altered in Iran by what some see as superficialiity and a lack of religious principle. Iran
How Turkey's nuclear plant could curb KRG ambitions Turkey's decision to strengthen its energy ties with Russia through agreements for the Turkish Stream and the Akkuyu nuclear power plant may put a brake on the Kurdistan Regional Government. Iraq
Explosions, heartbreak rock ancient Turkish site as dam moves forward More than 60 years in the making, Turkey's Ilisu Dam project is set to finally flood 12,000-year-old Hasankeyf and all its relics. Turkey
Hamas’ weapons risk could kill Palestinian reconciliation Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has set new conditions for reconciling with Hamas that some say could hinder the process, though others are more optimistic. Palestine
Erdogan's Iran visit sparks talk of Iraqi Kurdistan as 'new Israel' Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan traveled to Tehran to discuss the Kurdish independence referendum in northern Iraqi and expanding economic relations. Turkey
How Sinai tribes are helping Cairo fight IS Musa al-Dalah, the spokesman for the Tarabin tribe and one of the most prominent participants in the Sinai tribes’ battle against extremism, speaks to Al-Monitor about the tribal gains and losses in this battle. Palestine
Palestinians get helping hand as olive harvest begins Several international bodies and local groups have launched campaigns aimed at helping Palestinians harvest olives at West Bank farms that are under threat of attacks by Israeli settlers. Palestine
Can Israel live with Lebanon-inspired Palestinian state? Israel fears that a Palestinian unity government would actually allow Hamas to preserve its armed forces. Palestine
Moneyed interests blocking path to peace in Mideast As in the United States, money in politics is fueling violence and hijacking democracy in Israel. Palestine
Congress takes aim at Lebanese politicians with Hezbollah bill The US House of Representatives is expected to vote this month on legislation requiring the president to publicly report on Hezbollah allies’ net worth. Lebanon
