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
Is it time for a surge in Syria? A group of current and former US officials concludes that current US policy toward the Islamic State is not working, and that more needs to be done in both the diplomatic and military spheres to end the Syrian civil war. Iraq
Will Palestinians choose all-out war? The Palestinian leadership is contemplating a return to the "1948 strategy" of all-out confrontation with Israel. Palestine
Terror in Turkey Unless Turkey changes priorities, it will be more vulnerable to Islamic State attacks. Turkey
Iran’s careful balancing act As Iran gives final approval to move forward with implementing the Iran nuclear deal, it is holding back for now on expanding contacts with the United States to discuss regional crises, wary of US influence and seeking to preserve internal balance. Iran
Will Rouhani end the $15 monthly handout to citizens? Five years after its initiation, monthly cash handouts to citizens continue to burden the Iranian government. Will Rouhani finally end this program? Iran
Russia rising From its new international stage in Syria, Russia is examining its options to determine which could bring it closest to securing a place as a political powerhouse. Syria
Zarif calls for talks with Saudi Arabia Speaking with Arab media, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said that Iran and Saudi Arabia have the same interests and challenges and should work together. Legacy: Gulf
Is Israel violating the Geneva Convention? In light of the recent security escalation in Jerusalem, Israel has resumed its house demolition policy, violating international law. Palestine
Israelis fear violence on soccer fields Despite much-publicized attacks on soccer fields, experts insist that the number of such incidents has actually diminished to the point that more women and children are attending matches. Israel
Why some in Egypt are banning campaign photos of female candidates The Nour Party is being criticized for banning campaign photos of female Coptic candidates running on its parliamentary electoral lists. Egypt
The failure of Palestinian leadership in Israel Once the rising star of Arab politics in Israel, over the past few days Knesset member Ayman Odeh has shown that he lacks real leadership, choosing to follow the voices that call for violence. Palestine
Neglect eats away historical Iraqi city of Uruk The historical city of Uruk in Iraq has been neglected by the government, as its monuments and artifacts are threatened by thieves and looting activities. Iraq
