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
Settlers pressure Netanyahu to reject Palestinian building plan Settler leaders rebuke Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman's already approved plan for 14,000 housing units to be built at the West Bank Palestinian Qalqilya refugee camp. Palestine
Egyptian court hands down surprise victory for press freedom Egypt's Supreme Constitutional Court has struck down a restriction on launching newspapers, but a replacement law that parliament is considering is an unknown entity. Egypt
Lebanon's civil society groups gear up for 2018 elections After Lebanon’s long-awaited electoral law was ratified, civil society movements and members are getting ready to join the elections that are scheduled to be held May 2018. Lebanon
Egypt's legislature thumbs nose at court, approves islands deal Egypt’s parliament shoved through approval of a deal to transfer Tiran and Sanafir islands to Saudi Arabia, but experts say the move violates the constitution and is likely to fuel public resentment. Saudi Arabia
IDF prepares for future of war in region After conducting military exercises in Cyprus, the Israel Defense Forces are trying to anticipate all possibilities of warfare on Israel's borders, including a ground confrontation in Lebanon with Hezbollah. Israel
Iran seizes high ground in Saudi-Qatar dispute Iran probably can’t believe its luck; is it time for a second look at the Aleppo “narrative”? Legacy: Gulf
Russia takes parliamentary diplomacy to Middle East As Russia’s participation in Mideast policymaking grows, its legislature is assuming a greater role in diplomacy there. Syria
Gaza's ticking sewage bomb Israeli expert and professor Eilon Adar warns that the electricity crisis in Gaza could provoke an ecological disaster both in the Strip and in Israel. Palestine
Turkey's Altay tank project not ready to roll after all Now that Turkey's government has rejected Otokar's bid for the Altay tank contract, other companies will participate in the tender, including BMC — a Turkish/Qatari partnership whose chairman is a close friend of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkey
Iranians rally behind soccer player suspended over wife’s modeling The suspension of an Iranian soccer player over his wife’s modeling has led to a public and media outcry. Iran
Netanyahu critic wins prestigious literary award Winner of the 2017 Man Booker International Prize, Israeli writer David Grossman has battled the occupation for decades. Palestine
Despite US strikes, Moscow still wants to work with Washington on Syria Though the Russians continue to protest US strikes on Syrian government forces and pro-government paramilitaries, the Kremlin is unlikely to respond as long as it remains focused on cooperation with Washington. Syria
