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
Radiation danger raises concern, controversy in Iraq In light of an apparent increase in the amount and impact of radioactive contamination in some areas of Iraq, and the inability of the Iraqi government to deal with this matter, Iraq needs international financial and technical support to deal with pollution caused by the remnants of war. Iraq
Trump nominee’s support for Israeli settlement draws scrutiny David Friedman has played a key role in supporting Bet El near Ramallah. Palestine
Male belly dancers break taboos in Egypt While being shunned by conservative Egyptian society, male belly dancers are claiming their right to participate in the art form. Egypt
Russia’s strategic vision for Israel Russia considers itself a potential major partner to Israel and a key player in bringing stabilization to the Middle East. Palestine
Erdogan caught between Trump, Putin in Syria war The Turkish government's spokesman says al-Bab will be the last stop of the Turkish army in Syria, while President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Turkish forces will march on to Raqqa. Syria
Turkey wants safe zone, but can it maintain one? The US president is listening to Turkey’s continuing calls for a "safe zone" in northern Syria, but resistance to it is still strong, as all is not quiet in the areas already under Turkish control. Syria
Iran's Zarif criticizes hard-liners for leaks on nuclear talks In an exclusive interview, Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator criticized those attacking the nuclear deal. United States
The collapse of Turkish academia The Turkish government’s clampdown on the academic community has reached the country’s top faculties and scholars. Turkey
How Iran may have just won a second Oscar Iranian film director Asghar Farhadi’s boycott of the upcoming Academy Awards may conversely help him fetch a second Oscar. Iran
Coming soon: Erdogan 'The Chief' A hagiographic biopic on the life and times of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is scheduled for release during the runup to the constitutional amendment that could expand his authority and entrench him in power. Turkey
Livni's UN gig a win-win for everyone, even Netanyahu Zionist Camp co-leader Tzipi Livni has been offered the position of UN undersecretary-general as part of a deal to appoint former Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad the head of the UN mission to Libya — and she's found support from all corners. Israel
Why is Jordan shifting its Syria strategy? Jordan has joined the Astana process and is signaling a change in its position toward Damascus. Jordan
