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 Saudi Arabia allow Pakistani general to command military alliance? It remains unclear whether Pakistan's Gen. Raheel Sharif will be offered, or take up, the position of supreme commander of the Saudi-led "Islamic military alliance." Saudi Arabia
Erdogan presses for 1.5 million new jobs ahead of key vote Faced with a worsening economic downturn, Turkey’s president scrambles to achieve some improvement, even if transient, ahead of a critical referendum in April. Turkey
3 alternatives to two-state or one-state solution for Mideast peace Ever since Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had his meeting in Washington, Israeli efforts have intensified to develop alternatives to the single-state or two-state solutions. Palestine
How Trump is already shifting domestic politics in Iran US President Donald Trump’s threats against Iran are quickly morphing from a foreign policy issue to a domestic political football in Tehran. United States
Has the military wing tightened its grip over Hamas? The election of military leader Yahya Sanwar as the head of Hamas’ political bureau in Gaza has raised questions on the movement’s policy at home and abroad and the military wing’s grip over the movement. Palestine
Is Erdogan promising a ghost army in Syria? Erdogan promises to set up a “national army” in the area to be cleansed from the Islamic State in northern Syria, but with the combat assets available to him, never mind a national army, even a force to secure the cleansed area will not be easy. Syria
Interview Will Mosul witness a political battle post-IS? In an interview with Al-Monitor, former governor of Ninevah province Atheel al-Nujaifi discussed post-Islamic State Ninevah, the motives behind the arrest warrants against him and the need for international assistance in the aftermath of the battle of Mosul. Atheel al-Nujaifi Former governor of Iraq's Ninevah province
New documentary highlights life of imprisoned Palestinian leader The producers of "Marwan," a documentary about the life of imprisoned Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti, hope to revive national pride among Palestinians with his story. Palestine
What can memorizing the Quran buy you in Gaza? Gazans who have memorized the Quran can have their weddings paid for through a new, controversial program in Gaza. Palestine
Can economic opportunity bring Turkey, Egypt closer? Turkey and Egypt are making investment overtures toward one another despite lingering political animosity that is unlikely to be resolved. Egypt
Who benefits from the appointment of Abbas’ deputy? Following the choice of Mahmoud al-Aloul as Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' deputy, a disappointed Jibril Rajoub might reunite forces with Abbas’ rival Mohammed Dahlan. Palestine
Trump leaves Israelis, Palestinians to own fate After the first meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump, Israeli leaders are confused about the future of the peace process. Palestine
