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
Palestinians say Interpol bid on hold, not defeated The Palestinian application to join Interpol has been suspended in what Israel is claiming as a diplomatic victory, but the Palestinians are undeterred by the setback. Palestine
Militias make use of Iraqi universities to spread their influence Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units finds that universities provide a perfect recruitment platform. Iraq
Iran, Turkey fight over Tal Afar As the predominantly Shiite Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), with the support of Iran, expand their control over the recently liberated area of Tal Afar, which has a Turkmen majority, the tension between the PMU and Turkey has increased. Iraq
Why Hamas rejected amendments to local electoral law The Palestinian government is seeking to amend the current electoral system, while Hamas claims that such changes will strengthen Fatah’s grip on the Palestinian local scene. Palestine
Gaza fishermen not permitted beyond 6-mile zone any time soon As Israel keeps delaying the decision to allow Gazan fishermen to go further into the sea, they are left with a small nautical area where fish are scarce. Palestine
Israel moves forward with banning calls to prayer A proposed Israeli law would ban the use of loudspeakers to amplify calls to prayer in mosques in Jerusalem and within the Green Line. Palestine
Will Trump's win prompt EU to adopt independent Mideast policy? Given US President-elect Donald Trump's past declarations regarding the two-state solution, the European Union is now exploring a more independent regional policy as a basis for international consensus. Palestine
Jerusalem mayor plays with fire in threat to Palestinian homes The mayor of Jerusalem has threatened to demolish Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem if the Amona settlement is evacuated. Palestine
Can this Egyptian scientist shake up political scene? An Egyptian space scientist says Egypt needs to invest in education and a new system of governance. Egypt
US firms join international air show in Iran While the US House is attempting to halt Western aircraft manufacturers’ recent deals with Iran, American companies are participating in Iran’s International Air Show. Iran
Will Iraq's Sinjar become new base for PKK? While the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and Kurdistan Democratic Party are competing over Sinjar, the Yazidis dismiss fears of the PKK making it a "second Qandil." Iraq
News of arrests of YPG-linked Czechs shocks Turkey Turkish authorities arrested two Czechs who allegedly confessed to working with the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units. Syria
