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
Egyptian pop star croons for potential visitors on Europe tour Egypt’s Culture Ministry is promoting pop star Hakim’s European tour in the hope that he can interest Western tourists in Egyptian culture. Egypt
PA struggles to stop gas smuggling in the West Bank Smuggling adulterated fuel from Israel into the Palestinian territories has been on the rise. Palestine
Russian-backed cease-fire fails to stop shelling in Syria's Eastern Ghouta Despite the cease-fire agreement reached between the Syrian regime and the opposition under Russia’s sponsorship, shelling in Eastern Ghouta has only gotten worse, adding to the residents’ hardships. Syria
At UN, Netanyahu uses Iran threat to sideline Palestinians In a move that seemed coordinated with the White House, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revived the Iranian nuclear threat in Israel and around the world, pushing the Palestinian issue off the international agenda. Palestine
Trump blasts Iran regime at UN Trump said the people of Iran want change in his debut address to the UN, but his advisers insist regime change isn’t on the table. Originals
Lebanon explores potential roles with Russia As Russia works to put the finishing touches on Syrian civil war negotiations, representatives from many Mideast countries are showing up at Putin's door, including Lebanon, which has much to give and gain in the situation. Saudi Arabia
US Air Force says Qatar blockade has 'no impact' on American base The United States is flying more missions out of al-Udeid than before the Saudi-led embargo. Qatar
How Israel's support is swaying Kurdish sentiment ahead of referendum Turkey’s Kurds may have divergent views on Israeli backing for the referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan, but their support for the independence bid remains robust. Iraq
Events in the Middle East force realism on Erdogan After his Islamist-driven expectations fell by the wayside, Erdogan finds he has to cooperate with leaders he would rather not have talked to. Turkey
Israeli right wing takes on Supreme Court The claim by HaBayit HaYehudi leaders that their latest initiative is intended to create a balance of power between the different government branches is nothing but a smoke screen; their real purpose is to undermine the Supreme Court. Israel
Trial begins for Turkish journalists accused of Gulen links The Zaman newspaper trial has opened with 31 journalists accused of membership in the network of preacher Fethullah Gulen. Turkey
How sweet Jewish New Year tradition causes bitter fight in Israel Israeli beekeepers are concerned about shrinking living spaces for bees, the challenges of wild bees and nature preservation activists. Israel
