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
Will Trump split the Israeli right? Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman are using their US allies as strategic assets in their battles against Education Minister Naftali Bennett. Israel
Gulf countries take back seat on Syria route It seems Saudi Arabia is more interested in Yemen than in Syria these days, which explains dwindling Gulf support for Syrian rebels. Saudi Arabia
Why Iraq’s law on Popular Mobilization Units isn't all that popular A law outlining the future of the Popular Mobilization Units in Iraq was passed months ago but has yet to be enacted as opposing forces continue their debates. Iraq
Why is IS targeting Copts in Sinai? In a change of strategy in the area, Wilayat Sinai, the Islamic State affiliate in Egypt, has stepped up its attacks against Coptic Christians in the Sinai Peninsula, specifically in el-Arish. Egypt
Are pro-Erdogan groups buying arms to prep for potential coup? A relative of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has set up a group called the "Stay as Brothers, Turkey” against a possible new coup attempt. Turkey
Can Congress compromise on bipartisan Iran sanctions law? Senate Foreign Relations Committee leaders say they're getting closer to an agreement on non-nuclear sanctions. Congress
Erdogan’s domestic agenda leaves Turkey facing new foreign crises Ankara is furious as European countries ban rallies by Turkish ministers aimed at getting support of expatriate Turks for Erdogan’s executive presidency. Turkey
Turkey, US, Russia military chiefs meet to discuss anti-IS strategy Turkey, Russia and the United States met today in Antalya, Turkey, in an attempt to find common ground in the battle against the Islamic State in Syria, but they disagree in regard to which groups in the Syrian war are terrorists. Syria
Is spotlight on Trump’s Russia ties slowing US-Russia cooperation in Syria? Intense scrutiny and investigations of possible ties between Trump associates and Russia may complicate prospects for US-Russian cooperation in the fight against IS and in Syria. It may happen anyway. Syria
Polish artists turn Cairo's City of the Dead into gallery Colorful graffiti breathes life into the City of the Dead. Egypt
Allure of riches draws young Iranians to network marketing Network marketing is growing increasingly popular among young Iranians looking for new ways to make a quick buck. Iran
Iran’s Rouhani moves to form campaign headquarters In a move to perhaps end rumors of his reluctance to run in Iran’s upcoming presidential vote, incumbent Hassan Rouhani has set up a formal campaign headquarters. Iran
