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
Lebanon's rocket scientists Although Lebanon is a small country, many of its citizens have gained prominence throughout the world as scientists and inventors. Lebanon
Egypt’s photojournalists exhibit 'scars' from revolution Photojournalists in Egypt take part in an exhibit that displays images conveying the harsh conditions they work under, and the emotional burden in their personal and professional lives. Egypt
Special tribunal may foreshadow agreement on Lebanon government Various domestic and regional developments, most notably the first session of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon to be held this week, could be the necessary spark for Lebanese factions to finally agree on a government. Lebanon
Israel in search of a leader Israeli Defense Minister Moshe "Bogie" Ya’alon tries, and fails, to pick up the mantle of Sharon. Israel
Legal teams battle over evidence in Morsi trial As the trial of former Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi continues, his defense team argues that much of the state's evidence is inadmissible. Egypt
Hakim launches political initiative to resolve Anbar crisis A new initiative by Ammar al-Hakim may succeed in solving the Anbar crises because it relies on more than security measures. Iraq
Israel should reach out to separatist Syrian Kurds Israel should consider the Kurdish achievement of establishing an autonomous region in Syria and reach out to those groups which fight extremist Islamic powers in the country. Israel
Rule of law casualty of AKP-Gulen conflict Measures by the AKP government to expunge the Gulen movement’s strength in the judiciary are endangering Turkey’s qualifications as a state of law and order. Turkey
Contacts between the Vatican, Beirut increase ahead of elections There have been increased contacts between Lebanese Christian figures and officials from the Vatican, reflecting the latter’s growing concern for the upcoming presidential elections in Lebanon. Lebanon
Unemployed Gazans turn to Facebook for income Young, unemployed Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have found ways to make money off Facebook. Palestine
Elif Shafak: 'Turkey is a country of collective amnesia' In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, acclaimed novelist Elif Shafak discusses her new book, literature, politics and identity in Turkey. Turkey
Netanyahu's puzzling settlement strategy Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to publish construction tenders, whether real or not, is likely to frustrate US policy-makers. Palestine
