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
Breaking the Silence must speak about one of its own It is in the Israeli public's interest to know whether a spokesman from an anti-occupation organization assaulted a Palestinian while serving as a soldier in Hebron. Palestine
Egypt supplying fuel to rescue Palestinians Egypt has come to the aid of the energy-starved Gaza Strip by delivering diesel fuel to operate the Strip's sole power plant at partial capacity. Palestine
Israel's controversial citizenship law persists With the extension of the Citizenship and Entry into Israel Law for the 14th year in a row, Palestinians in the West Bank will continue to be blocked from reunifying with family members in Israel. Palestine
Congress threatens to cut payments to Iraqi Kurds if they break with Baghdad The House defense bill makes continued peshmerga funding contingent on participation in a “unified Iraq.” Iraq
Treasury borrowing aggravates Turkey’s interest rate woes Ankara’s pressure on banks to lower interest rates has taken a menacing tone, but few seem to acknowledge the government’s own role in the increase of the rates. Turkey
Revival of 'Muslim ban' stirs outrage in Iran The US Supreme Court’s partial revival of President Donald Trump’s ban on citizens of six Muslim-majority countries, including Iran, triggers harsh condemnation by Tehran. United States
AKP frets as Turkish opposition's Justice March grows Turkey’s main opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu is leading a march of thousands from Ankara to Istanbul to protest the policies of the ruling Justice and Development Party, and the ruling party has reason to worry. Turkey
Israel's Ethiopian Jews keep ancient language alive in prayer For Israel's Ethiopian immigrants, the liturgical Ge’ez language is a fading memory used only in religious settings. Israel
Mosul residents divided over 'burqa ban' First the Islamic State and now security restrictions on wearing the full face veil, or niqab, have women and others in Mosul reassessing their perceptions of the practice. Iraq
Syrians brave dangers, mines to escape IS grip While fleeing the Islamic State, Syria’s Deir ez-Zor residents embark on a journey risking their lives while walking in minefields. Syria
Regional developments accelerate Hamas-Hezbollah reconciliation Hamas and Hezbollah leaders have recently held meetings in Beirut, suggesting an end to their cold dispute over the Syrian war, as the Gulf-Qatari crisis continues. Legacy: Gulf
Former Israeli PM making surprise comeback At 75, after leaving politics twice, former Prime Minister Ehud Barak still scares Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel
