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
Once again, disputes delay Lebanese elections Unless Lebanese politicians overcome their differences — or at least ignore them long enough to hold elections — the country could face another legislative vacuum. Lebanon
Can Iran's conservatives agree on candidate for upcoming vote? In Iran, the Principlist camp remains torn by internal strife and continues to fail to agree on a consensus candidate to run against President Hassan Rouhani. Yet, it is too soon to tell whether Rouhani will secure a second term. Iran
Ahead of presidential vote, Khamenei attacks Rouhani’s economy During Iranian New Year speeches, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Hassan Rouhani painted starkly different pictures of the Iranian economy, which is turning out to be a weak spot for the president’s re-election campaign. Iran
What role will Crimean Tatars play in Russian-Turkish relations? Observers wonder just how far Turkey is willing to stick out its neck to support Crimean Tatars during its quest to further reconcile with Russia. Turkey
Congress reintroduces Syria sanctions The House Foreign Affairs panel is expected to take up the bill promptly, but its fate is uncertain in the Senate. Syria
Iraq’s Sunnis eye post-IS future under regional cover Under Arab and international sponsorship, Iraq’s Sunni leaders recently attended a conference in Turkey to discuss the future of Sunnis in post-IS Iraq, with the conference sparking Shiite outrage and dissent among other Sunni officials opposed to the Turkish role in Iraq. Iraq
How TV series can create new reality for traumatized Turks Riding the populist wave of patriotism, Turkey’s entertainment sector has tuned to stories of bravery on the battlefield. Turkey
Does Turkey's Erdogan expect more gain than pain from ditching EU? As the April 16 referendum approaches, Turkey's president is trying to whip his supporters into a frenzy by lashing out at Europe, spewing epithets and pledging to reinstate the death penalty. Turkey
The upcoming Iranian elections you haven’t heard about As Iran is about to hold city council elections, conservatives are bracing themselves for a fierce competition with Reformists and moderates. Iran
Ankara's Syrian plan falters as Moscow sets up in Afrin Turkey's move to enlist the Russians against the Syrian Kurds is not working out, as both the United States and Russia deepen their ties with the Syrian Kurds and Operation Euphrates Shield appears to have reached the limits of its expansion. Syria
Free Syrian Army getting backup from Turkish-trained police Turkey is shoring up the FSA's — and perhaps Ankara's — clout in Syria by providing newly schooled policemen to Aleppo province. Syria
Is Hamas prepping for a 'State of Gaza'? Hamas’ announcement of the formation of an administrative committee to manage Gaza's governmental affairs has some wondering if it is paving the way for dissociating Gaza from the West Bank. Palestine
