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
Gaza IT industry bypasses economic crisis Despite the high unemployment rate in the Gaza Strip, IT freelancing and outsourcing to foreign companies is insulating the industry from the siege and economic crisis. Palestine
Women prominent in coming Iraqi elections Unlike in past elections, many female candidates are running in the Iraqi parliamentary elections scheduled for the end of this month. Iraq
KRG trench divides Syrian, Iraqi Kurds The ditch dug by the Kurdistan Regional Government at Rojava, separating Syrian and Iraqi Kurds, adds another layer of complexity to the regional conflict. Iraq
Meretz leader justifies Abbas applications to UN treaties In an interview with Al-Monitor, Meretz Party leader Zehava Gal-On defends the application of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to 15 international treaties, claiming that this move could constitute a framework for continuing negotiations. Palestine
Ahmadinejad’s return may be boost for Rouhani The former Iranian president seeks to capitalize on the frustration of conservatives with Rouhani’s economic and foreign policies. Iran
Lebanon needs a model president Lebanon currently faces crises that only a unifying president can address. Lebanon
Hard choices for Erdogan as he mulls candidacy for president Turkey is heading to uncharted territory of first direct presidential elections. Turkey
Israel takes strategic alliance with US for granted Israel’s neutrality toward the crisis in Ukraine is a dangerous precedent in Israel's relations with the US, when taking into account that it can exist without Russia’s help, but not without American support. Palestine
Social media help young Iranian fashion designers Iranian fashion designers use word of mouth and social media to promote their work to middle-class women. Iran
Israel's military revolution The changes in the Middle East have triggered a comprehensive transformation within the IDF, including its strategic doctrine, its battalion layout and the application of intelligence in combat operations. Israel
Electoral race heats up among Iraq's Sunni factions While the Iraqi parliamentary elections scheduled for the end of this month approach, competition is fierce among Sunni blocs. Iraq
Israel launches first cooperative supermarket The cooperative supermarket, together with the social bank, are first steps in a long-term plan by Israeli social justice activists to make the public into "educated consumers." Israel
