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
Erdogan confronts allies, rivals alike over Syria Foreign policy experts say Erdogan may dream of leading the Sunni world but Ankara has painted itself into a corner by insisting on misguided policies. Syria
Israel, Poland remember but also rebuild Israeli President Reuven Rivlin took part in the inauguration of a new museum in Warsaw dedicated to 1,000 years of Jewish history, which reflects Poland's desire not only to remember the Holocaust but also to rebuild relations with Israel. Israel
Dane in Lebanon arrested for being alleged IS fighter Araby Ibrahim, a Lebanese man holding a Danish passport, was arrested in Lebanon on suspicion of fighting alongside the Islamic State in Syria. Lebanon
Iran media faces backlash over acid attacks coverage Iranian authorities have criticized domestic and international media organizations for suggesting the crimes may have been connected to veiling enforcement. Iran
Fatah’s Revolutionary Council grapples with growing issues At its last meeting, Fatah’s Revolutionary Council discussed relations with Hamas, negotiations with Israel and internal disputes with Mohammed Dahlan’s movement. Palestine
Islamic State fears hang over Baghdad The Islamic State’s advance toward Baghdad is causing stress and confusion among residents, though government forces are maintaining a tight grip on the capital. Iraq
Syrian youth worry about draft Many Syrian youth are considering fleeing the country to avoid being forced to join the army as "backup" forces. Syria
Meretz hopes to restore Israeli left to its glory days The growth of the Meretz Party in the polls has become a draw for young people who want to return the left to its glory days: “We will not apologize for our agenda. We are standing up against the right,” says Uri Zaki, who is responsible for the party’s reorganization efforts. Israel
Will European ambassadors return to Syria? According to one Syrian official, European ambassadors might be returning to resume their functions in Syria, as the West has started to realize that the Syrian army is the only one able to fight terrorism. Lebanon
World-famous Turkish pianist blocked from Ankara orchestra Internationally renowned Turkish pianist Fazil Say faces an embargo in his own country as the government continues its censorship in the arts. Turkey
Al-Aqsa’s women resist Palestinian women have taken it upon themselves to protect the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound from the trespasses of Israeli extremists. Palestine
Israel should protect 'old front' with Jordan To maintain the special Israeli-Jordanian ties, Israel should be sensitive to the internal pressures facing the Hashemite kingdom and promote a real diplomatic process with the Palestinians. Palestine
