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
Iran reacts to death of 'pillar' of Islamic Revolution Moderate Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, known for his efforts to reduce tension between Iran and the West, dies. Iran
Is Rouhani repeating Ahmadinejad’s tricks in currency market? In Iran, the Central Bank and the government are coming under fire for allegedly letting the currency devalue in order to make up for budget deficits. Iran
Iran loses flawed champion of renewed ties with US A powerful and pragmatic political figure both before and long after his term as Iranian president, Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani has died of a heart attack at age 82, leaving the task of safeguarding the nuclear agreement and outreach to Washington to President Hassan Rouhani and others he groomed over the years. United States
Contentious debate opens on Turkish presidential system Although a constitutional amendment to switch the Turkish government to a presidential system looks likely to pass parliament, the outcome of a referendum on the measure is anyone's guess. Turkey
Who's fighting whom in Iraq's Sinjar? After KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani warned that the KRG may resort to force to expel the Kurdistan Workers Party from Sinjar, tensions rose in the region. Iraq
How Netanyahu failed IDF battle of ethics While IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot defended the verdict against the soldier who shot a wounded Palestinian assailant, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered only feeble support of the army’s leader. Palestine
Why Turkish government pushes 'global conspiracy' narrative Fueled by conspiracies and fake news, Turkey’s ruling elite want to portray all hostile acts in the country as controlled by a Western “mastermind." Turkey
Jerusalem terror: Palestinian intifada or Islamic State attack? The truck attack in Jerusalem indicates that the Palestinian intifada has no rules, framework or commanding hierarchy. Palestine
Jordanians question timing, messages of top military brass The Dec. 30 BBC interview with Lt. Gen. Mahmoud Freihat, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, raised eyebrows in Amman and prompted local commentators to speculate about the purpose and meaning of Freihat’s statements. Iraq
Egypt's political, religious leaders push for family planning Egypt's Ministry of Awqaf is working to promote family planning as a solution to the overpopulated country's economic crisis. Egypt
Iran, Iraq seek to send a message with joint naval exercises In a clear message to the Gulf countries of the Iranian influence, Iraqi forces with Iranian support are conducting military maneuvers in the Persian Gulf and the Iraqi land border with the Saudi. Legacy: Gulf
Sports champion provides artificial limbs near Aleppo In the thick of the Syrian war, an athlete channels his skills to help amputees receive prosthetics. Syria
