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
White House warning meant to deter Syria chemical attack The Donald Trump administration made it clear to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s forces that it will not allow another gas attack. Syria
Turkey increasingly vocal against YPG’s foreign recruits Turkey is growing increasingly angry because foreign individuals, including some from the United States, are joining the ranks of Kurdish forces in Syria. Syria
Moscow carefully assessing international energy scene Russia’s long-term energy plan relies heavily on gas sectors in the Middle East and Eurasia as it struggles with low prices and sanctions. Saudi Arabia
Saudi foreign policy pushes Iran, Turkey closer Saudi Arabia’s blockade of Qatar appears to open space for Iranian efforts to engage in regional diplomacy and cooperation. Saudi Arabia
Rouhani faces unprecedented attack by Iranian hard-liners Iranian hard-liners step up their attacks on recently re-elected moderate President Hassan Rouhani. Iran
Turks on both sides split over extending state of emergency Turkey's state of emergency is set to expire next month, and political voices both in the government and in the opposition are split over its renewal. Turkey
Netanyahu’s unexpected confrontation with US Jews It is unclear why Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided now of all times to confront US Jews. Israel
The collapse of Turkish army’s health and education system Food poisoning incidents at military barracks in Turkey shed light on the far-reaching effects of the Turkish army’s loss of deep-rooted health and education institutions in the wake of last year’s attempted coup. Turkey
Turkey, EU can't seem to walk away from each other The fact that Turkey sits on the most strategic real estate in the world ensures that the EU can’t put its ties with Ankara at risk, regardless of objections to Turkey's politics. Turkey
Abbas looks to new Saudi crown prince for Mideast initiative The Palestinians are hoping to engage Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to help in making their case to the Donald Trump administration. Saudi Arabia
Gaza's child laborers find their way back to school The Future Hope Center in Gaza helps children return to school and graduate. Palestine
Israel's center-left needs the ultra-Orthodox Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to suspend the plan for a Western Wall pluralistic prayer space must be condemned, but harnessing the ultra-Orthodox into efforts to topple Netanyahu is more important. Israel
