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
Despite isolation, Gaza drug smuggling continues Even with the closure of most tunnels between Gaza and Egypt, drugs such as Tramadol are still finding their way onto Gaza’s streets. Palestine
In Iran, some conservatives balk at sanctions 'suspension' As the nuclear talks' deadline looms, some Iranian conservatives distrust the US political process and fear a potential temporary and reversible suspension of sanctions. Iran
Sidon: another Lebanese flashpoint Following incidents in Tripoli and Arsal, members of a terrorist cell in Sidon, the capital of the Lebanese south, were arrested by the Lebanese army, thus foiling another attempt to escalate the security situation. Lebanon
Hamas frets over Ennahda’s election loss Hamas is carefully studying Ennahda’s election loss in Tunisia amid concerns that Hamas may suffer a similar result if elections were soon held in Palestine. Palestine
Lapid finally steps up to the plate Finance Minister Yair Lapid has apparently cut a deal with Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman, enabling him to promote his flagship bill proposal over a zero-VAT for housing. Israel
Israeli security officials view Abbas as key to stability Despite the latest terror attacks in the Etzion settlement and at the center of Tel Aviv, Israeli security sources say that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is committed to security cooperation with Israel and will work to defuse tension. Palestine
Israel investigates B'Tselem claims on shooting Palestinians In an interview with Al-Monitor, B'Tselem Director Hagai El-Ad defends the organization's unequivocal, yet unpopular stance against Israeli policies: ''The moral image of the state is important for many Israelis and not just for B’Tselem activists.'' Palestine
Politics strain Turkey's first Kurdish-language institute Turkey’s first Kurdish-language institute has been torn between the government and the Kurdish movement, while attracting scholars from all four parts of Kurdistan. Turkey
Returning Congress gives Iran a pass — for now Key lawmakers kept an open mind on a potential extension of nuclear talks with Iran on their first day back after midterm elections. Iran
Jabhat al-Nusra eyes Idlib for Islamic emirate After routing Syrian rebels from Idlib, Jabhat al-Nusra hopes to create an Islamic emirate to rival the Islamic State’s caliphate. Syria
Sistani welcomes Iraqi politicians Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani's welcoming of the Iraqi president and prime minister is not a sign that he is backtracking on steering clear of politics, but that he wants the political arena to succeed in implementing reforms, thereby protecting Iraq's religious and cultural diversity. Iraq
Syrian authorities arrest opposition leader Louay Hussein, leader of the opposition Building the Syrian State movement, has been arrested Nov. 12 by regime forces on the Syrian-Lebanese border. Syria
