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
Iran under fire ahead of deal deadline A look at the Middle East issues Congress will be addressing the week of March 16. Iran
Rouhani wins over Qom, for now President Hassan Rouhani took a surprise trip to Qom to win over the support of senior clerics in Iran's religious capital. Iran
'Big Brother' to move into Erdogan’s palace President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is setting up a massive electronic surveillance center in his palace to monitor the entire county. Turkey
Mosul residents prepare for battle The Islamic State plans to use Mosul's 1.5 million residents as a human shield in its inevitable battle against the Iraqi army and international forces. Iraq
Iranian singers push boundaries, face restrictions Iranian authorities have begun to crack down on female singers and musicians, despite attempts by the culture minister to issue more licenses for performances. Iran
Turkey to support Mosul operation from sidelines Turkey will provide assistance to the forces organizing to retake Mosul from the Islamic State, but will not engage directly in military conflict. Iraq
Maysaa Shuja al-Deen on why she writes Al-Monitor contributor Maysaa Shuja al-Deen shares her thoughts on journalism. Yemen
Tulay Cetingulec on why she writes Al-Monitor contributor Tulay Cetingulec shares her thoughts on journalism. Turkey
Ayah Aman on why she writes Al-Monitor contributor Ayah Aman shares her thoughts on journalism. Egypt
Meretz chairwoman: Herzog will need us to form coalition In an interview with Al-Monitor, Meretz Party Chairwoman Zehava Gal-On calls upon leftist voters not to fall for the Zionist Camp's machinations, which threaten her party and the chances for a left-wing coalition. Israel
Lebanon's creative entrepreneurs Many Lebanese female entrepreneurs and designers have made it internationally, revolutionizing the perception of Lebanon’s fashion. Lebanon
Female DJs find the beat in Beirut Beirut's female DJs are multiplying in the city's clubs, bringing their own unique sounds to a scene once dominated by males. Lebanon
