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
Military setbacks don't ensure Islamic State's demise The Islamic State's loss of territory in Iraq and Syria is accompanied by opponents' cheers of a military victory — but is it really victory? Iraq
The story of a Turkish intellectual’s escape from prison After years of controversy and trials, Armenian intellectual Sevan Nisanyan dropped a bombshell on Twitter, announcing his escape from a prison in Turkey. Turkey
Young Iraqi filmmakers break taboos Iraq is witnessing the growth of a new generation of young filmmakers, but they face serious challenges from society over the content of the films. Iraq
Palestinians, Israelis disappointed over US envoy's talks The Palestinian leadership believes that much of the Trump administration’s efforts on the Israeli-Palestinian issue are focused on economic confidence-building measures, not advancing the two-state solution. Palestine
If Iran has its way, Abadi won't see a second term in Iraq Iran is seeking to preserve its influence in Iraq and hopes Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who it believes is undermining its efforts there, will not lead the next government. Iraq
Iranians pushing boundaries in 'private sphere' debate Debate over the extent and nature of the private versus the public heats up again in Iran, highlighting the continued evolution of demands for social freedoms. Iran
Fatah officials defy Abbas on Temple Mount crisis With Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ visiting China, senior Fatah leaders and activists moved to escalate the crisis on the Temple Mount. Palestine
For a two-state solution, Israel must say bye-bye to Bibi Only if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is indicted and steps down from his position will the two-state solution have a chance at becoming reality. Palestine
Jordan, Israel trade barbs as tension over Al-Aqsa continues While Jordan and Israel are keen to preserve the peace treaty and maintain top intelligence and security coordination, the issue of Al-Aqsa Mosque remains a potential deal breaker. Palestine
Palestinian town in Israel shaken by Jerusalem killings The three Palestinian citizens of Israel who were killed by Israeli police following their attack against Al-Aqsa Mosque that left two Israeli soldiers dead hail from a Muslim-majority town where relatives and the community are trying to preserve the relative calm. Palestine
Hezbollah not concerned about cease-fire deal in Syria The cease-fire brokered by the United States, Russia and Jordan in south Syria does not seem to worry the Lebanese Hezbollah movement, which is widely involved in the Syrian war, like it worries its archenemy Israel. Israel
Turkey’s state news agency exposes US positions in Syria A Turkish state news agency revealed US troops' positions in Syria in what US officials see as further Turkish hostility over the US alliance with the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units. Syria
