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
Will Trump bring Egypt, Israel closer? Observers wait to see what role, if any, the Trump administration might play in a rapprochement between Israel and Egypt. Egypt
Is Turkey at the end of its EU adventure? The European Parliament’s call to freeze membership talks with Turkey may not be binding for EU leaders, but still marks a grim milestone with far-reaching political and economic implications for Turkey. Turkey
Meet Gaza’s top businesswoman Mona Adnan Ghalayini, Gaza’s top businesswoman, talks to Al-Monitor about her journey to reach the position she currently occupies despite the social restrictions. Palestine
Will new law restrict Egyptian NGOs' activities? The Egyptian parliament has approved a new law to regulate the activities of civil society organizations and monitor their sources of funding, although some view this as going against the Egyptian Constitution. Egypt
Has political crisis in Iraq's Anbar reached a dead end? As the political crisis continues in Anbar province, the upcoming council election has been postponed and the displaced do not receive enough support from the local government to return to their homeland. Iraq
Iran's political paranoia includes children of foreign fathers Iran’s civil code excludes children born to Iranian mothers and foreign fathers from Iranian citizenship, leaving tens of thousands of children in limbo. Iran
Ultra-Orthodox soldiers in Israel rejected by their own Ultra-Orthodox soldiers whose families and communities rejected them for enlisting are finding solace in a new organization of Israelis who have pledged to support them. Israel
Saudi-Egypt crisis leaves Israel concerned Two arms deals recently inked by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has Israel baffled and worried. Saudi Arabia
Erdogan’s Syria policy hits dead end in Aleppo Ankara anticipates worst-case scenario as Syrian government forces appear close to victory in decisive battle. Syria
Who in the GCC wants a union? Gulf Cooperation Council states consider transforming into a union to arm themselves against Iran’s increasing dominance and the growing instability in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia
Drama surrounds Trump transition The spectacle of President-elect Donald Trump picking his Cabinet has turned into America's next reality TV program. United States
Deadly fire in religious girls dorm shakes Turkey Tragedies similar to the deadly fire in a religious girls dorm in Turkey will continue until the mindset that causes them changes. Turkey
