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
Najaf seminaries maintain traditional teaching methods Unlike some religious schools in Iran and Lebanon, the seminaries in Najaf have maintained traditional teaching methods that allow students flexibility in choosing their course of study. Iraq
ISIS suicide attacks target Syrian Kurdish capital The Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) is increasing its terror campaign against Kurds in northern Syria. Syria
Iraqi campaign failing in struggle against illiteracy The Iraqi government and UNESCO launched an ambitious campaign to fight illiteracy in the country, but it has not been fully implemented. Iraq
What is Sistani's position on the Iraqi elections? Iraq’s top Shiite religious authority is not endorsing any political party in the upcoming elections and urges voters not to vote for corruption and past failure. Iraq
Israeli parents protest sexy Purim costumes for kids Israeli parents' complaints against the growing phenomenon of sexy Purim carnival costumes for children have driven manufacturers to change the language of their newspaper ads. Israel
The AKP’s failed urban strategy The Justice and Development Party’s municipal strategy emphasizing large-scale construction projects and urban transformation may be clashing with its focus on conservative values. Turkey
Economic chaos at Iraq's Anbar border crossings The security situation in Iraq's Anbar province has pushed security forces to close the border crossings on several occasions, impeding the movement of trucks transporting goods into the country and inflicting losses on traders. Iraq
Lebanon's March 14 bloc takes stock on ninth anniversary As the ninth anniversary of the March 14, 2005, demonstrations in Lebanon approach, the March 14 movement is faced with both challenges and opportunities. Lebanon
No reconciliation so far with Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood As both the Muslim Brotherhood and much of the Egyptian public seem opposed to a reconciliation between the Brotherhood and the current regime, questions arise concerning the future of the group. Egypt
Cab drivers in Baghdad driving under the influence In Baghdad, some taxi drivers drink alcohol while driving at night, with security officers often turning a blind eye. Iraq
Egypt fears backlash if it cuts ties with Qatar Egypt is hesitating to join the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and cut ties with Qatar, because the government fears the repercussions such a step would have for the many Egyptians working in Qatar. Saudi Arabia
What lies behind ultra-Orthodox embrace of Labor leader? Shas Party Chairman Aryeh Deri’s announcement of support for Isaac Herzog in his run for prime minister may be just spin, but it does reflect the deep political shifts underway among the ultra-Orthodox. Israel
