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
Bogus university graduates clog Iraqi job market Iraqi university graduates are finding it increasingly difficult to get jobs because unrecognized universities are essentially selling advanced degrees. Iraq
Drug use creeps up in Lebanese schools Despite warnings circulating online about a new drug quickly spreading in Lebanese schools, experts say that while the issue deserves attention, drug abuse among students is not as widespread as the rumors suggest. Lebanon
Turkish army enters Syria to evacuate tomb The Turkish army successfully evacuated its soldiers from the Tomb of Suleiman Shah in Syria in coordination with Kurdish forces on the ground. Syria
Can returned extremist fighters be rehabilitated? Participants in a White House summit on countering violent extremism say the most useful aspect was exchanging information on the sidelines of the meetings about how to prevent recruitment of vulnerable youth and rehabilitate foreign fighters returning home from Syria and Iraq. Syria
Should US back UN plan for cease-fire in Aleppo? UN Syria envoy says that "assurances will not be enough" to end fighting; Turkey’s border a "strategic problem" in anti-Islamic State campaign. Syria
Kerry says deal not imminent as Iran, US energy chiefs join talks Iran atomic energy chief Ali Akbar Salehi and US Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz joined Iran nuclear negotiations in Geneva, but US Secretary of State John Kerry tamped down expectations that a deal could be imminent. Iran
Would Iran deal set new nuclear proliferation standard? The nuclear negotiations have entered a critical stage with Iran, which for years has defended its Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) rights, committed to the NPT by providing unprecedented transparency of its nuclear program. Iran
Lawmakers prep defense bill, Kerry defends budget A look at the Middle East issues Congress will be addressing the week of Feb. 23. Qatar
Turkey's perilous security package The Turkish government’s internal security package threatens both the Kurdish settlement process and social peace. Turkey
Turkey’s jailed university students Hundreds of Turkish university students have landed behind bars on such dubious grounds as making press statements, demanding free transport and health care, celebrating Women’s Day and even reading Marx. Turkey
Gaza farmers unable to export produce Agriculture in Gaza is suffering after the Israeli decision to ban vegetable exports from the Strip to the West Bank. Palestine
Iranian teachers protest Rouhani's budget Iranian teachers are protesting President Hassan Rouhani's budget, as their salary increase can't keep up with inflation. Iran
