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
Israel, PA discreetly resume security coordination Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas declared at the height of the Temple Mount crisis that he was halting security coordination with Israel; now it seems that contacts between the security services of both sides have been resumed. Palestine
US touts success of Syria cease-fire negotiated with Russia Despite recent sanctions on Russia, the Donald Trump administration sees a path forward for cooperation with Moscow in Syria. Jordan
German interview could cost Turkey’s opposition leader dearly Turkish opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu is under attack by media outlets loyal to the ruling party for allegedly telling a German magazine that German tourists should not visit Turkey. Turkey
Rouhani appoints female VPs, aide amid rising criticism Iran’s president names three women as deputies and aides amid rising criticism over the lack of female ministers. Iran
The real footprint of the IRGC in Iran's economy Given the important footprint of the IRGC in the Iranian economy, the Rouhani administration appears to be confronting the Guards by co-opting them. Iran
Egyptian lawmakers rile Congress with US gun violence jab In a letter to Congress protesting a US travel advisory, an Egyptian parliamentary delegation downplayed the threats to Coptic Christians in the country, comparing the statistics on violence against them to shootings in US cities. Egypt
Gaza’s little chefs have big dreams Zad Al Khair, a local restaurant in Gaza City, launches a culinary arts program for children. Palestine
Young photographers celebrate love, hope in Gaza 'Alleys' exhibit A group of young Palestinian photographers held up a mirror to life in Gaza with an exhibition in the Jabalia refugee camp. Palestine
What is the fate of foreign IS fighters in Iraq? Iraqi security forces arrested dozens of foreign fighters for the Islamic State during the battle of Mosul, but Baghdad must now decide their fate. Iraq
Differing scenarios for a post-Netanyahu government Israeli law would not force an indicted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to resign, but behind the scenes a war of succession is already underway. Israel
Even police investigations don't weaken Bibi's coalition While former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was forced to resign because of police investigations into his affairs, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces no political risk in the near future. Israel
The limits of Egypt's role in the Syria crisis Egypt's cordial relations with many parties to the Syria conflict has made Cairo an ideal location for recent negotiations, but can Egypt play a larger role in bringing about a resolution? Egypt
