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
Islamic State lists conditions to free Lebanese soldiers An anonymous Lebanese government source informed Al-Monitor that negotiations between Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra militants and the Lebanese government are reaping results, though with conditions. Lebanon
Iraq, Turkey strengthen energy relationship The bilateral relationship between Iraq and Turkey is strengthening following recent meetings in which an increased collaboration on oil, natural gas and electric energy production and export was discussed. Iraq
Erdogan stirred, not shaken, by corruption vote AKP mavericks who voted against the party line to impeach four former ministers are facing accusations of treachery and will most likely be weeded out of the party before June elections. Turkey
Europe determined to prevent Israeli settlement policy While the Obama administration is reluctant to finalize its peace negotiations policy before Israeli elections, the European Union has already elaborated punitive measures in response to any future Israeli settlements. Israel
Obama snubs, Netanyahu scores Despite the damage to his relations with President Barack Obama, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coming congressional address is expected to strengthen his status within his Israeli right-wing electoral base. Israel
Win or lose, Turkey's Kurds will advance in June elections Turkey’s main Kurdish-dominated party could deal a serious blow to the ruling Justice and Development Party if its efforts at attracting broad support succeed in helping it surpass the 10% voting threshold in the June general elections. Turkey
Lebanese interior minister warns of 'death triangle' The Islamic State is taking refuge within Lebanon’s borders, where the group appears to be taking advantage of impoverished Lebanese citizens to execute suicide bombings. Lebanon
Congress torn between Europe, Israel on Iran Lawmakers are forced to pick sides after key allies publicly come down on opposite sides of sanctions push. Congress
Obama, Kerry freeze out Bibi over impromptu Hill visit The upcoming meeting to reach an Iran nuclear deal raises tensions between the Obama administration and Israel. Congress
Yemen falls apart The death of Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah and the resignation of Yemen's President makes Yemen the first priority for Saudi's new King Salman. Saudi Arabia
Did the West write Erdogan off for Israel’s sake? The Western media’s anti-Erdogan stance is fueled by Erdogan’s own partisan and ideological rhetoric. Turkey
Why Israel's Hezbollah strike didn't bother Turkey's Islamists The latest Israeli attack on Hezbollah reveals Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s anti-Assad stance is stronger than his anti-Israel rhetoric. Israel
