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
To woo Trump, will Kremlin show restraint in Syria? Russian officials do not expect President-elect Donald Trump to roll over for President Vladimir Putin and are pondering a wide range of options the new US leader will present on the Middle East. Russia
Does a UAE-Turkish rapprochement worry Egypt? The UAE has grown closer to Turkey in the past month on policies related to Iran and Syria. Legacy: Gulf
How Egyptian women are working to counter rising prices Egypt’s consumers are fighting massive price increases by exchanging used goods on social media. Egypt
Rouhani inaugurates production at new oil fields Officially inaugurating production at three new oil fields, Iran’s president announced that the country is seeking to attract foreign investors to increase its oil output and benefit from the lifting of international sanctions. Iran
Turkish airstrikes resume as allied Syrians take position near al-Bab Determined to head off further expansion of a contiguous Kurdish-run zone along its borders, Turkey is counting on the rebels it's backing in Syria to take al-Bab. Syria
Why Israel's right has its doubts about Trump The euphoria that swept the Israeli right following Donald Trump’s electoral victory is swiftly fading as the world begins the tense wait to learn whether his campaign promises will become realities. Israel
The West Bank outpost champion By advancing the regularization bill for legalizing West Bank outposts, HaBayit HaYehudi Chair Naftali Bennett shows the settlers that he is fighting for their cause. Palestine
What's next for hundreds of companies seized by Turkish government? Turkey has a plan for handling almost 600 companies seized by the state for allegedly having ties to the Gulen movement, as the government looks to earn money for the Treasury. Turkey
Poverty, 'civil death' looms for victims of emergency rule The severe economic and social penalties imposed on thousands of Turks after the July coup attempt mean that nearly 1 million people, including family members, have been condemned to “civil death.” Turkey
Syrians compete in sports event despite siege Despite the siege, the first sports festival in five years recently took place in Eastern Ghouta, in an attempt to engage youth and adults in sports activities. Syria
Erdogan’s new grand 'National Front' The entire Turkish right, consisting of Islamists, conservatives and Turkish nationalists, appears to be united under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkey
How Abbas handpicks his ambassadors Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas selects ambassadors based on their loyalty to him rather than their interest in furthering the Palestinian cause. Palestine
