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 gives nod to Russia with new national holiday Israel, seeking to keep Russian ties close, realizes little things do matter. Israel
Most Israelis, Palestinians are tired of fighting Israeli right-wing legislators do all they can to keep the two-state solution at a distance, yet a majority of Israelis still support it. Palestine
Israeli centrist looks to profit from Netanyahu’s troubles Yesh Atid Chairman Yair Lapid is looking to collect Knesset seats on the right as police investigations close in on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel
Where do Al-Aqsa protests leave the Islamic Movement in Israel? The Islamic Movement in Israel has tried to keep a low profile in recent weeks after three men connected to its base, Umm al-Fahm, killed two Israeli police officers, sparking deadly protests. Palestine
Lebanese society on edge with Arsal raid, battle Activists and lawyers defending Syrian refugees in Lebanon and uncovering human rights violations committed against them are receiving threats and are banned from expressing their opinion. Lebanon
Egypt cuts cultivation of water-intensive crops In anticipation of a water crisis following the construction of the Renaissance Dam, Egypt’s government is preparing a draft law to impose harsher sanctions on the cultivation of water-intensive crops, but some say farmers must first be offered alternatives. Egypt
Tourism report signals wider issues for women in Turkey Turks are angry about Forbes magazine's story that listed Turkey as being a dangerous destination for women traveling alone, but do they have cause? Turkey
Iran-Saudi handshake offers glimmer of hope for talks Iranian media welcome the Iranian and Saudi foreign ministers’ handshake in Istanbul, viewing it as a possible beginning of talks between Tehran and Riyadh. Saudi Arabia
Heads roll at top of Turkey's military The Turkish government reshuffled the top echelons of the military as the trial of more than 500 alleged coup plotters got underway. Turkey
Saudi engagement with Iraqi Shiites stirs talk of opening with Iran Saudi Arabia’s engagement with Iraqi Shiite figures gives rise to speculation about a potential opening between Tehran and Riyadh. Saudi Arabia
Iraq eager to get back antiquities smuggled to US Iraq is diligently working to recover relics from the United States that were looted from Iraqi archaeological sites. Iraq
