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
Are Hezbollah, Israel heading for a third war? As talk of a third war breaking out between Lebanon's Hezbollah and Israel is increasing, some analysts say it is highly unlikely given the costs both sides would have to bear. Israel
Palestinians lament FIFA's delayed decision on settlement teams FIFA’s failure to make a decision about its own members' not honoring its statutes reflects the tremendous political pressure that is constantly exerted by Israel on various world bodies. Palestine
Hamas cracks down on Gaza journalists The security services in Gaza arrested 17 journalists last month in a crackdown against what it called “propagandists” who are alleged to be publishing false news and rumors. Palestine
Tomato ban reveals lingering problems between Russia, Turkey Russia is continuing its tomato ban, but its problems with Turkey are rooted elsewhere. Turkey
Polls put Rouhani in lead with one week to go Two new polls show incumbent Hassan Rouhani ahead of his five opponents with less than a week to go until first-round voting in Iran's presidential elections. Iran
What Saudi leaders expect from Trump’s visit Saudi officials see an opportunity to gain influence in the Middle East when US President Donald Trump visits their country later this week. Saudi Arabia
Southern front lines stalled for weeks in west Mosul Car bomb attacks have diminished as Iraqi forces are narrowing in on the remaining areas under Islamic State control in the city, but suicide bombers and snipers continue to claim victims among Iraqi forces holding defensive positions. Iraq
Gazans hope high-rise reconstruction can boost economy The Ministry of Public Works and Housing signed a series of contracts related to the Italian grant for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, including the reconstruction of the Italian complex that will house, once again, businesses and NGOs. Palestine
US continues buildup of Iraqi Kurdish forces The United States is supporting the Kurdistan Region by developing its military forces, but the support is a balancing act with Baghdad as they oppose building an independent Kurdish army. Iraq
Egypt registers its Jewish artifacts Egyptian authorities have begun a process to register and protect Jewish cemeteries and synagogues after decades of neglecting them. Culture & Society
Will Trump launch Mideast shuttle diplomacy? Palestinian leadership hopes that US President Donald Trump’s upcoming regional visit will advance the launching of a peace process based on the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative. Palestine
Congress OK with Saudi missile defense sale amid warming Israel-Gulf ties Israel seems fine with Saudi Arabia getting an anti-ballistic missile system, as does Capitol Hill. Saudi Arabia
