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
How Netanyahu sows fear among Israelis Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas talks with Israeli journalists and writers, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu uses rhetoric of fear, and keeps pointing an accusing finger at the Palestinians. Palestine
Former IS captive: Calling it a genocide is not enough Women who spoke to Al-Monitor about their experience being captured and held by the Islamic State say that genocide is not a strong enough label for the terror group's crimes. Iraq
Should they stay or should they go? Turkey leaves foreign investors at odds Short-term foreign investors staged their biggest flight from Turkey last year, while foreign direct investments shot up to a seven-year high. Turkey
Who opposes Syrian Kurdish self-rule? Five years into the Syrian war, Syrian Kurds declare a federal region in the north of the country, which was quickly rejected by Assad’s regime and the Syrian opposition. Syria
Will PA continue enforcement of Israeli products ban? The Palestinian government officially and for the first time ever decided to ban the entry of five Israeli companies' products into the West Bank, which will bolster the Palestinian economy. Palestine
Why Iran wants Hamas to apologize Hamas representatives remain busy trying to repair relations with Egypt and Iran while not offending anyone in the Gulf. Legacy: Gulf
What it will cost to rebuild Iraq The city of Ramadi recaptured from the Islamic State requires international reconstruction efforts and aid, so that its displaced residents may return and rebuild their lives. Iraq
Why Netanyahu humiliated his defense minister Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is willing to pay a steep price, both politically and security-wise, as long as he is not seen losing to HaBayit HaYehudi leader Naftali Bennett in the fight over the hearts of right-wing voters. Israel
What sours Israel-EU relations Israeli officials mistakenly believe that the world is coming closer to Israel in policy and values in the aftermath of the Brussels terror attacks. Palestine
Will Egyptian parliament cut into the military's profit margin? The Egyptian army’s strength may hinder any attempt at limiting its economic activities. Egypt
Will the Russians be able to help Lebanon get a new president? Russia’s withdrawal from Syria and the goodwill it generated in Arab circles, may allow it to play the role of mediator in Geneva and to help Lebanon fill its presidential vacuum. Saudi Arabia
Turkey's Erdogan openly embraces his naked ambition President Erdogan tells potential military leaders about his goal of becoming a functioning — not symbolic — commander-in-chief. Turkey
