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
Is Gulf money really a lifesaver for Turkish economy? Despite assertions of impending major Gulf investment in Turkey, Europe continues to provide the bulk of external funds in the country Legacy: Gulf
Will 2017 see the end of Gaza’s siege? In light of the Palestinian government's budget failure to meet the needs of the Gaza Strip, the accumulated crises resulting from the Gaza siege will likely continue to exist despite the partial solutions that may emerge. Palestine
Why are kidnappings on the rise in Baghdad? As the Islamic State is being forced out of Iraq, abductions, robberies and other crimes are on the rise as a result of the proliferation of militias. Iraq
Hamas, PA quarrel over government functions in Gaza Amid the ongoing debate between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority over administration of Gaza, Palestinians' hardships continue. Palestine
Are security passes solution to ending terrorism in Sinai? An Egyptian official suggested the issuance of security passes to northern Sinai residents, who have been complaining about Egyptian security forces' measures. Egypt
Have the Palestinians blocked US Embassy move to Jerusalem? Senior Palestinian officials believe that their restrained diplomatic approach through Jordanian and Egyptian channels helped suspend the relocation of the US Embassy to Jerusalem. Palestine
Sisi’s church donation stirs religious controversy When Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi donated 100,000 Egyptian pounds to build a mosque and a church in the new administrative capital, he stirred a wave of criticism and a religious controversy over Muslims donating to church building. Egypt
Does Trump's 'America First' approach bode ill for Israel? It is unclear whether US President Donald Trump will see in his new isolationist strategy an interest for the United States to mediate between Israel and its neighbors. Palestine
Debate over sterilizing homeless women addicts resurfaces in Iran A proposal to sterilize homeless women who are addicted to drugs has stirred heated debate in Iran again, with conservatives using the issue to attack President Hassan Rouhani's administration. Iran
Will Netanyahu's allies abandon him? For now, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is confident that Likud members and voters support him despite the police investigations, but some are very troubled by the allegations against him. Israel
Egypt's veiled mimes push the boundaries for female artists Pantomime duo raises awareness about crucial issues in the country through street art. Egypt
Syria's new national security force pledges loyalty to Turkey A video of a new police force in Syria trained and equipped by Turkey shows the troops chanting Islamist and nationalist slogans, casting doubt about Ankara's claims that it has no designs on its former Ottoman dominion. Syria
