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
Despite mounting violence, IDF-PA security cooperation unlikely to end While peace negotiations between the Palestinian Authority and Israel keep hitting an impasse, it looks like security cooperation continues as usual. Palestine
Who are the real targets of Russia’s Syria strikes? Russian attacks on opposition forces belie Moscow's alleged purpose for its military intervention in Syria. Syria
Could Bennett threaten Netanyahu's rule over Israeli right? HaBayit HaYehudi leader Naftali Bennett attacks Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over his reactions to the recent security escalation, demanding a firmer hand against terror. Israel
How a small Libyan town insulated itself from surrounding chaos The town of Bani Walid is leading Libyans by example, practicing self-governance and avoiding the armed conflicts that have become common elsewhere in the country. Libya
The real intifada is taking place within Israeli political right IDF personnel estimate that the current spike of terror does not foretell a third intifada and recommend the political echelon restore calm in the West Bank. Palestine
Young guns rule their turf in Turkey Members of the Patriotic Revolutionary Youth Movement, a youth group linked to the PKK, control the streets by force of arms in some parts of southeastern Turkey. Turkey
Senate Democrats hold up arms sales for Saudi war in Yemen The State Department request for a bombs resupply has hit a snag amid a rising death toll. Legacy: Gulf
Gaza's women-only cafe offers more than just coffee Three sisters from Gaza decided to open an all-female cafe that they say allows patrons to be more comfortable and can serve as a venue for cultural events. Palestine
Sisi calls on Arab countries to expand peace with Israel Experts examine Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's proposal to include more Arab countries in peace efforts with Israel. Palestine
Saudi prince alleges capture of Iranian military, Hezbollah in Yemen A grandson of the late Saudi King Faisal and former senior military officer says the time has come for Saudi Arabians “to take care of ourselves” and “lead” the Middle East against regional threats. Saudi Arabia
The end of Abbas, the end of moderation Israeli politicians have labeled Mahmoud Abbas a "non-partner," but they will be hard pressed to find anyone as moderate among the future Palestinian leadership. Palestine
Is Iran's inflation deflating economic recovery? Will the domestic pressures Rouhani is facing force him to abandon his goal of single-digit inflation? Iran
