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
Israel loses its last champion of political integrity Late Meretz leader Yossi Sarid was a scholar familiar with both world literature and Jewish texts, cherishing notions of integrity, peace and coexistence. Israel
Will Lebanon finally get a new president? After 32 tries failed to produce a winner in Lebanon's long quest for a president, observers hope the 33rd time's a charm. Saudi Arabia
America's 'Made in Israel' policy that you've probably never heard of Much has been said about the EU's new guidelines for labeling Israeli settlement goods, but the US has had similar rules for decades. Palestine
Egypt's revolutionary women get their own online museum A new online museum showcases stories of Egyptian women from all walks of life who played a part in the January 25 Revolution. Egypt
Rouhani challenges Guardian Council...again Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has once again raised the issue of the Guardian Council's role in the elections. Iran
How to get Iran's drifting economy back on track Following Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s call for a "command headquarters" for the economy in the post-sanctions era, there is increasing debate in Iran about the need for clear guidance of the economy. Iran
Is this Palestine's Arab Spring? As the wide unrest continues in Palestine, many wonder if this uprising could be a belated Palestinian Arab Spring that will bring about change in the entire region. Palestine
Arab-Kurd conflict heats up after Tuz Khormato incidents Factions in Iraq seem more worried about staking claims to territory and power than in fighting the Islamic State, and the result could be a prolonged civil war. Iraq
Turkey sticks its neck out again, this time in Iraq Ankara’s unusually loud public acknowledgement of sending reinforcement soldiers into Iraq shows Turkey hopes to establish its own territory there. Iraq
Is Gollum good? Turkish judge consults 'TV expert' to find out A simple meme posted over social media has spawned an official Turkish investigation into the legendary fictional character "Gollum" from "The Lord of the Rings." Turkey
Yossi Sarid, voice of Israel's left, leaves behind unfinished business Former Meretz leader and Minister Yossi Sarid, who passed away Dec. 4, was an honest politician who dared to tell the truth, even in tough times for the Israeli peace camp. Israel
Palestinian peace activist speaks out on son's arrest Palestinian peace activist Ziad Abed Sabateen recounts how his son was arrested by IDF soldiers in the middle of the night. Palestine
