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 didn't Fatah congress discuss report on Arafat's death? Fatah's general congress has ended without discussion of an official investigation into late PLO leader Yasser Arafat's death, though the topic had been expected to be included in the meeting's agenda. Palestine
Where do Kurds fit in Syria conflict? The future of the Syrian Kurds hinges on the policies of US President-elect Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin toward Turkey. Syria
Iran hawks lay out their wish list for Trump era Outright repeal is out, sanctions and military pushback are in. United States
US presidential transition adds turmoil to Syria diplomacy As the Syrian regime makes rapid gains to retake rebel-held eastern Aleppo, renewed diplomatic efforts to try to broker a pause in the fighting remain uncertain. Syria
Hifter in Moscow: Russia’s shifting interests in Libya Russia’s interest in Libya evolves as Gen. Khalifa Hifter transforms from a strongman for the army into a politician. Libya
Turkey's shredded Syria policy The fall of Aleppo to Syrian government forces has Ankara recalibrating its options in Syria. Syria
Iranian top brass meet to discuss response to US sanctions The Iranian state body tasked with monitoring the implementation of the nuclear deal convenes in response to the US Congress’ extension of the Iran Sanctions Act. United States
The year Saudi Arabia wants to forget For Saudi Arabia, 2016 has been fraught with many difficulties, including an ongoing war in Yemen, falling oil revenues, souring relations with allies Egypt and Pakistan, and the resurgence of Iran. Saudi Arabia
What's brewing between the Kurds, Syrian regime? The unpredictable winds of war will determine whether the Kurds ever realize their dream of self-government in Syria. Syria
Nubians give Egyptian government deadline Nubians are prepared to seek international intervention to regain their rights to expropriated lands. Egypt
Hamas delegates find welcome at Fatah conference, but not trust Despite the recent civility between Fatah and Hamas, it will take more than a Hamas delegation at Fatah's general conference to repair their nine years of division, as mutual distrust remains strong. Palestine
How this Tunisian commission is fighting corruption Speaking to Al-Monitor, the head of the Tunisian Anti-Corruption Commission, Chawki Tabib, discusses the commission’s plan for the future and steps to fight corruption that hinders the building of a democratic state. Tunisia
