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
Despite cease-fire, shelling continues in Eastern Ghouta Civilians in Syria's Eastern Ghouta hoped for a full implementation of the cease-fire and access to humanitarian aid, but regime forces have continued missile strikes under the pretext that extremist groups remain. Syria
Iraqi Kurdistan’s risky independence referendum Iraqi Kurdistan President Massoud Barzani may seek leverage from Sunni Arabs to balance opposition from Baghdad, Tehran and Ankara. Iraq
Rouhani uses inauguration to send message of moderation Endorsed by Iran's supreme leader and sworn in at the parliament, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani begins his second term with a message of moderation and continued focus on constructive engagement with the world. Iran
Saudi Arabia engages Iraq after a quarter century A resurgence of Saudi diplomacy with Iraq is aimed at keeping Iranian regional power in check. Saudi Arabia
Fate of Russian detainees in Turkey still unclear Turkish officials have yet to decide the future of three Russians — including a toddler — who were intercepted as they were allegedly traveling to Syria to join the Islamic State. Syria
Cash-strapped young Egyptians forgo popular wedding traditions As their cost of living gets higher, Egyptian couples are being forced to go without the traditional, more expensive wedding festivities. Egypt
KRG not concerned by Turkey's reactions to independence vote Although Kurdistan Regional Government officials are optimistic about the Turkish government's ultimate position on the independence referendum, the Turkish president's recent remarks say differently. Iraq
Why Erdogan fired Turkey’s top cleric The departure of Mehmet Gormez, who headed Turkey's Directorate of Religious Affairs (Diyanet), had many wondering if he was not loyal enough to the Turkish president. Turkey
Sit-in in Morocco’s south still going strong as it enters its seventh year After six years of an uninterrupted sit-in, the inhabitants of Imider in southeast Morocco march to reaffirm their demands. Morocco
Abbas' last stand Israel is punishing Palestinian Authority officials in the hope that they will exert sufficient pressure on President Mahmoud Abbas to renew security coordination with Israel. Palestine
Palestinians warn Abbas could dismantle PA in 2018 Palestinians warn that President Mahmoud Abbas might decide at the beginning of 2018 to dismantle the Palestinian Authority and cancel the Oslo Accord. Palestine
How long can Gaza survive with no water? A water shortage has led citizens to dig expensive water wells to meet their basic needs despite the dangerous impact of over-extraction on the Gaza Strip aquifer. Palestine
