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 much leverage does Russia have in Syria? While the United States and Russia set aside differences to pass a UN Security Council resolution on a political process in Syria, questions remain concerning Moscow's ability to persuade Damascus to accept any future agreement. Syria
Why are so many staying silent on the Kurdish conflict? Kurds and Turks in the western provinces of Turkey are reluctant to raise their voices about the prolonged Kurdish conflict. Turkey
Why Bennett is siding with the Shin Bet HaBayit HaYehudi Chair Naftali Bennett has expressed his unequivocal support for the Shin Bet in the face of claims that it tortured the suspected murderers of the Dawabsha family. Israel
Netanyahu's five-pronged strategy to delay a two-state solution Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has a multi-element, comprehensive plan to thwart the threat of negotiations toward a two-state solution. Palestine
How Bibi's wife may be his downfall Israeli police intend to investigate Sara Netanyahu over her spending and management of the prime minister's official residence and the couple's private household. Israel
Will the next US president scrap the Iran deal? All the candidates in the US presidential election are hawkish on Iran, but leading Democrats support the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Iran
UN hopes to hit 'moving target' of Syria talks by late January UN Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura hopes to hold the first talks between representatives of the Syrian regime and opposition in almost two years in Geneva by the end of January. Syria
Why did Iranian TV censor interview with Zarif? After a highly anticipated interview with Iran's foreign minister was canceled, many accused state television of siding with conservatives in the country. Iran
What's Saudi's new Islamic coalition really up to? Not a lot is known about Saudi Arabia's newly announced Islamic Military Alliance, leaving observers to ponder its prospects. Saudi Arabia
How Turkey’s foreign affairs 'strongman' left his mark Sources say Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s close circle is keen to develop the relationship with Israel in terms of the energy dimension in the wake of the crisis with Russia. Israel
Did Erdogan give up Gaza in return for Israeli gas? Erdogan’s ambition for a presidential system keeps him from dropping the Gaza precondition for the settlement of sour relations with Israel, but this does not stop the two sides from cooperating on natural gas. Palestine
If it ain't broke, don't fix it: Why Turkey and Iran's 376 years of peace will continue Despite increasing tensions over Syria, Iraq and Yemen, Iran and Turkey are unlikely to allow verbal confrontations to turn physical. Yemen
