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
Syrian opposition defends eastern Ghouta situation In an interview, Jaish al-Islam spokesman Capt. Islam Alloush told Al-Monitor that the group is confident its goals will be achieved in besieged eastern Ghouta as it is transforming its "militia into a real army." Syria
Jordanians protest Israeli gas deal Jordanians continue to oppose the natural gas deal struck with Israel, arguing that it threatens the country’s economic and political independence. Israel
Existential threats don't diminish Israeli happiness Although confronted with security threats, unemployment, high cost of living, discrimination against minorities and increased crime, Israelis' warm family and social ties make them feel happy. Israel
Reformist media welcomes rare appearance of Hajjarian The presence of Saeed Hajjarian, the main Reformist theoretician, has energized Reformist media. Iran
Turkey restricts academic research on Syrian refugees Turkey's Interior Ministry now requires academics to get prior approval before conducting research on the country's 2 million Syrian refugees. Syria
Netanyahu caves, hands Elkin Jerusalem portfolio After assigning the Strategic Affairs portfolio to Gilad Erdan, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu compensated Immigration and Absorption Minister Zeev Elkin by handing him the delicate Ministry of Jerusalem Affairs. Israel
Center trains Ethiopian-Israelis for high-tech careers A technology training center for Ethiopian-Israelis trains dozens of students every year for high-tech professions, but many graduates feel disappointed in a state that still sees them as manual laborers. Israel
Netanyahu zigzags on two-state solution Throughout his political career, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has battled the 1993 Oslo Accord, backed it, objected to the two-state solution and then supported it again. Palestine
What's behind Taliban's trip to Tehran? A visit to Tehran by a Taliban delegation has sparked wild speculation, especially since administration officials were unable to confirm the event. Iran
Lebanon hopes for return of kidnapped soldiers As Lebanese media outlets report a deal with Jabhat al-Nusra for the release of 16 Lebanese soldiers kidnapped during the battle of Arsal in August, questions remain about support for the terrorist organization in Lebanese territory. Lebanon
No promises in Netanyahu's offer to negotiate settlement annexation The Israeli prime minister’s overtures to discuss settlements to be annexed to Israel under a peace agreement is an effort to legitimize the settlements in the guise of a concession without making any commitments to the Palestinians. Palestine
Egypt’s disabled seek fair representation in parliament In accordance with the 2014 constitution, the disabled in Egypt are granted representation in parliament, which the Egyptian movement to empower people with disabilities is seeking to achieve through its We love Egypt list. Egypt
