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
Tupac Shakur: Hero of Israeli-Ethiopian musicians Young Israeli-Ethiopians who suffer from discrimination reject local Israeli music, preferring to relate to African-American rap artists like Tupac Shakur. Israel
Controversy engulfs multiple Iran's female lawmakers It has only been three weeks since Iran held landmark parliamentary elections, yet several controversies involving elected female representatives have already arisen. Iran
How the PKK is entering energy wars The PKK has stepped up attacks on oil and gas pipelines in Turkey. Turkey
Is Putin trying to pressure Assad to negotiate? Since Russia announced its partial withdrawal of troops from Syria, Iranian commentators have been scrambling to explain the "surprising" decision. Russia
Islamic State's Sinai branch shifts its strategy The Egyptian military's crackdown on terrorist operations in the Sinai Peninsula force the Islamic State's Wilayat Sinai to shift some of its focus from military targets to the civilian population and local businesses. Egypt
Why is Hariri back in Lebanon? There is much speculation about why Saad Hariri has returned to Lebanon, including that he plans to help elect a president so he can head a new Cabinet and save himself politically and economically. Saudi Arabia
Can Israel influence the 'day after' in Syria? Israeli experts fear that the Russian pullout of Syria will provide Hezbollah with influence along the border of the Golan Heights. Israel
How Kurds treat Islamic State prisoners In the Kurdish-controlled areas of Syria, special courts prosecute the Islamic State fighters captured during the battles between the organization and the People's Protection Units. Syria
How terror attacks drive politics in Ankara Turkey is increasingly becoming the scene of Rojava-inspired Kurdish resistance. Syria
Iraq's dysfunctional government by proxy With a dysfunctional parliament unable to approve political and military appointments, the prime minister has been unilaterally filling government positions with acting officials. Iraq
Despite stigma, adoptions are on the rise in Gaza Gazan society seems to be breaking some taboos and prohibitions since families are starting to adopt children of unknown parentage despite all legal and social impediments. Palestine
Why Abbas turned Biden down Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas refused US Vice President Joe Biden's offer to reopen talks with Israel, convinced that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has no real intention of negotiating. Palestine
