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
Hamas looks to Algeria Algeria’s approval to open a Hamas office in the country may prompt regional and international pressure against it. Palestine
Internally displaced Syrians find shelter, but few friends, in Latakia Internally displaced Syrians share their journey from Idlib province, where they suffered under the opposition's siege, to Latakia, where they found refuge but also hostility. Syria
Cairo calls for austerity while ministers make money grab The Egyptian government has made more calls for austerity measures, but simultaneous proposals to raise government salaries have left citizens unmoved. Egypt
Why did Iraq ask Riyadh to change its ambassador? Baghdad has asked Riyadh to replace its ambassador over his interference in Iraq's internal affairs, stirring a new crisis between the two countries. Saudi Arabia
Six years after it was first proposed, will Iraq form top policy council? Iraqi political leaders have reintroduced the idea of a Supreme Strategic Policy Council, and a law calling for its formation now has the support of most parliamentary blocs. Iraq
Did Rouhani just nip Tehran mayor’s presidential challenge in the bud? In Iran, leaks indicating massive corruption are surfacing one after another in an apparent factional fight ahead of the country’s May 2017 presidential election. Iran
Will Popular Mobilization Units participate in Iraqi elections? The Independent High Electoral Commission has prohibited PMU factions from participating in elections, although they might be able to participate through the political parties they are affiliated with. Iraq
Netanyahu continues to tune out voice of retired Israeli brass A long list of retired Israeli generals is consistently calling to end the occupation, but now that he's gotten what he wanted from them, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is unmoved by their criticism. Israel
Egypt documenting Jewish artifacts Cairo is seeking the world’s help to catalog historical records of Jewish antiquities. Egypt
Turkey expands assault on independent media The Erdogan government’s crackdown on "enemy within" includes free press; Iran and Russia may gain from strains in US-Turkey ties; Aleppo key to "undivided Syria"; Iran likely to deepen ties with Russia over Syria. Syria
Egypt installs prepaid electric meters for mosques Houses of worship in Egypt will need to be more watchful about their electricity consumption as the Egyptian Ministry of Electricity installs prepaid meters to ensure that the bills gets paid. Egypt
To the delight of Americans, a taste of Turkey now sold close by Specialty stores selling fresh lokum, or Turkish delight, are opening across the US, serving a variety of options for health-conscious candy lovers. Turkey
