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
Are Turkey, Saudi Arabia working together against Iran? Analysts fear that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is being dragged into Saudi Arabia's anti-Iran Sunni bloc. Saudi Arabia
Parliamentary presence sticking point for Lebanon's women Although Lebanon is considered a pioneer country in terms of female empowerment, women are still timidly represented in politics, as these usually access parliament following the death of their relatives. Lebanon
Hamas focuses on rebuilding tunnels as Gazans suffer Hamas' focus on reconstructing its tunnel infrastructure and rearming, while ignoring the lack of housing in Gaza and the general misery of Gaza residents, points to the military wing's dominance in the organization. Palestine
Former Iran VP speaks on interreligious outreach In an interview with Al-Monitor, former Iranian Vice President Mohammad Ali Abtahi talks about the challenges of his work in interreligious outreach. Iran
The 'Red Lips High Heels' movement In an interview with Al-Monitor, Pamela Chrabieh, holder of a doctorate in theology-sciences of religion, talks about her passion for work and the steps she has taken throughout her life to change how men view women in the workplace. Lebanon
Will Nadine Moussa be Lebanon's next president? Lawyer and activist Nadine Moussa, the first woman in Lebanon to submit her candidacy for the presidential elections, tells Al-Monitor that women are still struggling to break the political traditions of a patriarchal country. Lebanon
Israeli students juggle schoolwork, circus training The Move to Circus Academy offers an alternative form of education for students having troubling adjusting to traditional schools and others interested in the circus arts. Israel
Democrats slam brakes on Iran action Forget about voting on anything before March 24 deadline, House and Senate Democrats warn. Israel
Enas Hamed on why she writes Al-Monitor contributor Enas Hamed shares her thoughts on journalism. Egypt
Retired Israeli general combats stereotypes In an interview with Al-Monitor, retired Brig. Gen. Israela Oron emphasizes that contrary to traditional Israeli perception, men have no superiority over women in matters of security. Israel
Riada Asimovic Akyol on why she writes Al-Monitor contributor Riada Asimovic Akyol shares her thoughts on journalism. Culture & Society
Amberin Zaman on why she writes Al-Monitor columnist Amberin Zaman shares her thoughts on journalism. Syria
