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
Beirut close to striking deal with Jabhat al-Nusra for release of servicemen A source confirmed to Al-Monitor that Lebanon might be holding negotiations with al-Qaeda-affiliated Jabhat al-Nusra over the possible release of Lebanese prisoners in exchange for financial compensation. Lebanon
Sisi left without a prayer in Egyptian mosques The Egyptian Ministry of Religious Endowments has prohibited praying for President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in mosques. Egypt
US plays politics with Patriot missile removal Patriot batteries deployed in Turkey against possible air and missile threats from Syria are being withdrawn in controversy. Syria
After Israeli settlers left, these Gazans planted more than eggplants Since Israeli settlers withdrew in 2005 from south Gaza, the Palestinian government allowed investments in these lands that turned into crops that generate considerable profit despite the water crisis. Palestine
Gazans lighten up with laughter In light of the ongoing crises facing the Gaza Strip, some have turned to satire as a way of mitigating their suffering. Palestine
XXX trumps IS as Iraqi lawmakers focus on eradicating Internet porn A number of Iraqi parliamentarians recently signed a draft bill to block pornographic sites in the country, an effort some call a narrow approach to a complex issue. Iraq
Abbas must accept Gaza, West Bank will not unite A long-term truce between Israel and Hamas could perpetuate Gaza's separation from the West Bank, but that might be the price of dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians toward a future comprehensive agreement. Palestine
Israel's natural gas cartel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's adamance in pursuing a deal for exploiting Israel's natural gas, despite it being roundly criticized by regulators, appears to have tentacles to casino mogul Sheldon Adelson and the US-Israel Business Initiative. Israel
Historic Yemeni city struggles to survive war, corruption The ancient city of Zabid, located in Yemen’s western coastal plains, is threatened by the ongoing fighting in the country and the corruption of local officials. Yemen
Iraq's child soldiers Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units are following in the footsteps of Iran’s Basij in their recruitment and use of child soldiers. Iraq
Netanyahu playing chess, not checkers on Iran deal Behind closed doors, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu concedes that he can't muster the required congressional majority to override a presidential veto on the Iranian nuclear deal and is therefore aiming for a "resounding moral majority." Israel
Even without sanctions, Iranian aviation faces turbulent future Iranian aviation is faced with multiple challenges, even in the aftermath of long-sought sanctions relief. Iran
