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
Six years later, film on January 25 Revolution reaches Egypt's masses A film focusing on the January 25 Revolution produced in 2011, which was never screened in Egypt, is now stirring controversy after appearing online. Egypt
Egypt selling off state-owned companies for first time in 12 years The Egyptian government has announced the start of its initial public offering of some state-run companies during the next two months, a step allegedly aimed at bolstering the country’s stock exchange. Egypt
Iran FM says Trump trying to undermine nuclear deal Iran Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says the Trump administration seems to have come to the realization that scrapping the deal outright would isolate the United States globally. United States
Sinai initiative targets tribal weddings with push for official documents Egypt’s National Council for Women is taking steps to replace tribal weddings with civil marriage in the Sinai Peninsula by helping women get the proper birth and marriage certificates. Egypt
Turkey wanted thousands of US troops for Raqqa offensive As the US-led coalition fights to liberate Raqqa, Turkey continues to complain about the inclusion of Syrian Kurdish fighters, arguing the United States should have committed enough troops. Syria
Turkey’s economic dilemma: Win Qatar or lose the Gulf? By backing Qatar, Turkey faces economic losses in the Gulf but improved economic ties with Iran Legacy: Gulf
Trump reluctantly certifies Iran’s compliance with nuclear deal The Trump administration told Congress on Monday that Iran was violating the "spirit" of the deal and made the case for a thorough renegotiation. Congress
Fighting revives refugees' hopes of returning to Aleppo After well more than a year living under wretched conditions in refugee camps, thousands of displaced residents from northern Aleppo province hope to return home soon as the Free Syrian Army fights to reclaim towns from the Syrian Democratic Forces. Syria
Activists push Rouhani to appoint women ministers Iranian President Hassan Rouhani is under pressure to appoint women ministers after having focused on addressing the demands of female voters during his campaign for re-election. Iran
Iran military warns against IRGC sanctions The chief of staff of Iran's armed forces has warned that US sanctions against the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps would make American bases in the Middle East unsafe. United States
'Refugees Got Talent' showcases Syrian performers in Egypt The UNHCR hosted a talent show for refugees in Alexandria, offering displaced Syrians and others a rare chance to perform onstage. Egypt
Expansion plan for Palestinian town a power test for Liberman The battle over Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman’s plan to expand the Palestinian town of Qalqilya reflects division within the right-wing camp, ahead of the next elections. Palestine
