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
Women in Lebanon still threatened by sexism, violence Several cases of kidnapping, violence and other acts against women indicate that Lebanon still has a long way to go in ensuring gender equality. Lebanon
Salafists rally against Valentine's Day in Gaza Salafists in the Gaza Strip have tried to halt Valentine's Day celebrations, condemning them as a forbidden Christian holiday. Palestine
Underage marriages growing in Iraqi cities "Uneven" and underage marriage in Iraq, a long-standing tradition among rural communities, is now spreading to the cities and is accepted by many. Iraq
Lebanon between Obama and Hollande Similar to the convergence between the United States and France over Lebanon in 2005, one between Presidents Barack Obama and Francois Hollande may soon help Lebanon gain a new government and president. Lebanon
Liberman's secret plan to storm the Likud Party Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman considers registering thousands of his supporters in the Likud Party, which will enable him to take control of it on his way to the premier's seat. Palestine
Syrian Kurds recruit regime loyalists to fight jihadists The Democratic Union Party (PYD) has reportedly established Arab brigades made up of regime loyalists. Syria
Downfall of Israel's Hadassah hospital sign of deeper crisis The collapse of the Hadassah hospital demonstrates that as long as the government avoids dealing with powerful interest groups that control the economy and threaten politicians, the next fiasco is just a matter of time. Israel
Iraqi media also characterized by political, sectarian bias Media outlets in Iraq have become widely recognized as platforms for propaganda to garner political support. Iraq
Hariri, Nasrallah speeches will shape next steps in Lebanon Two speeches, one by Saad Hariri on Feb. 14 and one by Hassan Nasrallah on Feb. 16, will decide whether a new Lebanese government is formed. Lebanon
Turkey’s media manipulation: from denial to 'so what?' All Turkish actors, from the government to the media to religious groups, need to recognize their limits to avoid the trend toward an illiberal society. Turkey
Iraqi politicians split on third term for Maliki There are indications that Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki will run for a third term despite criticism and opposition from various political parties. Iraq
Gaza's cancer patients suffer due to siege, division The political division between Gaza and Ramallah, in addition to the Israeli-Egyptian blockade, is leaving cancer patients in the Gaza Strip without adequate medical care. Palestine
