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
Three reasons Iran should worry over Russia’s Syria plans Despite successful cooperation with Moscow to help retake Aleppo, Tehran is likely to remain suspicious of Russian intentions and maneuvering in Syria. Syria
Wary Saudis silent as Trump's Israel position takes shape US President-elect Donald Trump's choice for ambassador to Israel is a sign that he still intends to move the US Embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv, a major shakeup in American policy if the plan is followed through. Saudi Arabia
Obama’s Aleppo defense US President Barack Obama says the brutality in Aleppo is solely the fault of "the Assad regime and its allies Russia and Iran." Does Israel benefit from Russia’s role in Syria? Bombings in Turkey spur an anti-Kurdish frenzy. Syria
Egyptian startup fights depression online Shezlong secures a $150,000 grant to further develop the online platform that was launched in 2015 to provide mental health care to the millions of Egyptians who seek psychological help. Egypt
Turkish families cope with aftermath of failed coup With their fathers in jail following the failed July 15 coup in Turkey, these children struggle to convince others of their fathers' innocence. Turkey
Egypt's parliament under fire for controversial child custody bill A proposed bill in Egypt’s parliament that would implement sweeping changes to laws concerning women has sparked outrage as women’s rights activists are calling for its immediate withdrawal. Egypt
Kremlin dilemma: Regain Palmyra or advance on Idlib? Victories in the war on the Islamic State are tempered by setbacks that call for a careful examination of how to proceed. Syria
Do minorities have role in Iraqi national reconciliation? Iraqi minorities and civil society complain that the recently announced national reconciliation project does not include their voices and neglects their demands. Iraq
Can Iraq's parliament regulate the country's tribes? The Iraqi parliament has discussed the proposal of the law on the Council of Tribes and Clans, which will be voted on in early 2017. Iraq
Christmas comes to Bethlehem Following a busy tourist season this year, Bethlehem is preparing for the Christmas holiday that has bringing more foreign visitors this year in addition to Christian and Muslim Palestinians to the city. Palestine
Rouhani to Sunnis: Iran not seeking 'Shiite crescent' In a speech before the Islamic Unity Conference in Tehran, President Hassan Rouhani sought to send a message of reassurance to the Arab world that Iran is not seeking a "Shiite crescent." Iran
Iran balks at 'new' British policy toward Persian Gulf region The UK prime minister’s apparent signaling of a shift in policy toward the Persian Gulf region has met harsh criticism from Iran. Legacy: Gulf
