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 submarine deal sink Netanyahu's ship? A scandal over a submarine deal has focused the public's attention and that of Israel's attorney general on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s relations with two of his lawyers. Israel
How Iran's religious singers help frame the war in Syria In addition to assuming more clout in Iranian politics, religious singers are expanding their presence on the battlefield in Syria. Syria
Cairo looks to Egyptians abroad to boost economy Nabila Makram, Egypt's minister of immigration and expatriate affairs, discusses her recent trip to Australia and New Zealand, where she sought to get Egyptian expatriates to invest in certificates that will help the Egyptian economy. Egypt
Would Trump back Turkish military escalation in Iraq, Syria? Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan weighs risks and benefits of military interventions as Donald Trump transition signals possible Turkish tilt; Will Iraq's Baathists return after liberation of Mosul? Iraq
Trump’s transition off to rough start Donald Trump’s administration is turning out to be the year of the white male. Egypt
Will Egypt's parliament toughen punishment for rape? Egypt's parliament will soon vote on a bill that would allow the death penalty for rape. Egypt
Are Shiites substituting Arbaeen for hajj? Even though Arbaeen is attracting an increasing number of Shiite pilgrims, the annual pilgrimage is still overshadowed by the hajj in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
How Russia views Turkey’s role in Syria To Russia, tumultuous Turkey is a work in progress on a journey of self-discovery. Turkey
Ankara-PKK divisions could have major impact on Raqqa battle As the operation to clear Raqqa from IS continues, tensions are rising in the al-Bab region to the north of Aleppo, where a clash between Free Syrian Army forces supported by Turkey and local fighters backed by the People's Protection Units is becoming more likely. Syria
How Erdogan can rule Turkey until 2029 A presidential system that could keep Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in power for 27 years will be a political experience that gives euphoria to its supporters and fear to its dissidents. Turkey
Is Netanyahu-Liberman power couple making comeback? Of all the ministers, it was actually Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's long-year foe, who defended the prime minister on the submarine affair and who stated clearly that the Amona settlement will be evacuated. Israel
Declaration of Independence barely remembered in Palestine The 28th anniversary of the Palestinian Declaration of Independence came and went without fanfare. Palestine
