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
Turkish pragmatism at Sochi Olympics Turkey puts aside Caucasus issue in relations with Russia in participating in the Sochi Winter Olympics. Turkey
Neutrality, reform needed to rescue Lebanon’s economy Lebanon’s economy is collapsing and the only thing that can save it is a new government that keeps Lebanon neutral in the Syrian war and implements economic and administrative reforms. Lebanon
Egypt's one safe path: reach out to revolutionary forces Egyptian Defense Minister Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi should not run for president to safeguard the role of the military institution and keep the country on the path to democracy. Egypt
Gulenists likely losers in Turkish power struggle Standing strong against corruption accusations, the AKP appears poised to rule Turkey for another decade as the Gulenists are likely to lose their political clout soon and the opposition remains weak. Turkey
Russia's Syria policy gains traction As Russia maintains a steady course on Syria, Moscow's influence on Damascus may be less than some believe. Syria
The beginnings of an Israel-Iran reset? Israel may be reassessing the Iranian threat, as Iran shows its reach in Palestinian politics. Palestine
Lebanon has historic chance to regain neutrality The conflict between the Sunnis and Shiites in Lebanon is an opportunity for Christians to revive the Baabda Declaration, which calls for Lebanon’s neutrality, a historic Christian principle. Lebanon
Former Shin Bet chief says Bibi needs back channel to Abbas Avi Dichter, former Shin Bet chief and minister, tells Al-Monitor that although Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has solid standing, he is not the last Palestinian leader who will be able to sign an agreement with Israel. Palestine
Israel 'National Singer' tainted by sex scandal Israeli police has decided not to press any charges against singer Eyal Golan, but revelation of his conduct leave many of his admirers disheartened. Israel
Human Rights Watch condemns situation in Iraq Despite Iraq having numerous governmental and nongovernmental human rights groups, the state of human rights in the country is dismal, according to Human Rights Watch. Iraq
Kerry lets Europe play the boycott card with Israel The United States and Europe are playing good cop-bad cop in the negotiations with Israel. Palestine
Egyptian government introduces unified Friday prayer guidelines In an effort to root out Muslim Brotherhood influence from Egypt’s 150,000 mosques, the Egyptian Ministry of Religious Endowments is imposing a unified Friday sermon for mosques throughout Egypt. Egypt
