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
Why this Iranian conservative-turned-moderate will succeed Rafsanjani Conservative-turned-moderate Iranian parliament Speaker Ali Larijani increasingly appears the most suited figure to assume the influential role that was played by Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani. United States
Khamenei thanks Trump for 'revealing real face of US' Iran’s supreme leader on Feb. 7 thanked President Donald Trump for revealing “the real face of the US.” Meanwhile, the Iranian foreign minister stated that the international community will not accept a renegotiation of the nuclear deal. United States
How embracing 'Ottomania' may backfire on Turkey's ruling party As the April referendum approaches, the pro-Erdogan camp’s calculation to benefit from the Ottoman dream is shattered with a member of the dynasty demanding reparations and the throne. Turkey
Nile River project seeks 'Africa without borders' The African Union Steering Committee announced that the massive Nile River navigation project will be complete by 2024, but challenges lie ahead. Egypt
Nablus' only oud maker keeps city in tune Through a long career dedicated to the oud, Ali Hassanein has a unique perspective of the ancient and treasured Arab musical instrument. Palestine
Why king’s visit to Washington was essential for Jordan King Abdullah’s visit to the United States, where he met with President Donald Trump, helped reassure Jordanians that US military and economic support for the kingdom will continue. Palestine
Hamas leader: Gaza won't harbor individuals who 'aim to harm Egypt' Deputy head of Hamas’ political bureau Mousa Abu Marzouk told Al-Monitor that Hamas does "not interfere in Egypt's security affairs" and said some countries had contacted the movement to discuss a prisoner swap deal with Israel. Palestine
Egyptian film battles IS with comedy Egyptians are turning out in droves to see a new Egyptian movie satirizing the Islamic State, which aims to target the terrorist group and extremism from a different perspective. Egypt
What Jordan's king told Trump The Palestinian leadership has failed thus far to establish direct channels of communication with the White House, but Jordan’s King Abdullah II may have succeeded in transmitting at least one of its messages to President Donald Trump. Palestine
Israeli peace camp should use language Trump understands: Private property With President Donald Trump in the White House, the Israeli peace camp should focus its strategy on highlighting the theft of Palestinian lands for settlement construction. Palestine
Can new Russian Consulate boost tourism in Egypt's Hurghada? The Egyptian tourism sector is looking to Russia to boost the industry after a major decline following a Russian plane crash in 2015. Egypt
Ottoman princess stumps for Erdogan Support for the constitutional amendment meant to clear Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s path to an executive presidency is weakening in the polls, and the descendant of an Ottoman emperor is helping finesse nostalgia for the empire's glory days. Turkey
