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
Facebook use among the seminary in Qom Facebook use in Qom seminary poses a potential threat to the traditional status of some religious leaders in Iran. Iran
Unregulated hunting threatens Iraqi bird populations While Iraq has long enjoyed a rich heritage of hunting, modern techniques and a lack of regulation are severely diminishing certain native species and harming the environment. Iraq
Turkey: What to expect in 2014 Al-Monitor presents an in-depth look ahead at the key political dynamics and events likely to define Turkey in the coming year. Turkey
Was Thursday’s Beirut blast linked to Sidon attack? A security source said that Thursday’s explosion in Beirut may have been prepared in a hurry and may be linked to the attack on a Lebanese army checkpoint in Sidon on Dec. 15, 2013. Saudi Arabia
Chatah's assassination marks rise of extremism In Lebanon, Syria and Iraq, the forces of moderation are being displaced by the forces of extremism. Saudi Arabia
Egyptian school curriculums dictated by ruling powers Throughout the ever-changing dynamic of regimes in power in modern Egypt, the nation’s school curriculum has always been the most ideologically affected. Egypt
Despite rockets, Israel-Hamas confrontation unlikely Despite the potential for renewed violence between Israel and Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip, Hamas claims it is waiting to be better prepared for a larger future conflict. Palestine
Ahrar movement claims military rule never stopped in Egypt The Ahrar movement claims that none of the goals of Egypt’s January 25 Revolution have been achieved and vows to continue the struggle. Egypt
Suicide bombers disguised as pilgrims infiltrate Iraq The suicide bombers who have been striking Iraqi pilgrims are motivated by jihadist ideology. Iraq
Basra governor speaks about corruption, security challenges In an interview with Al-Monitor, Basra governor Majid al-Nasrawi spoke about corruption and said the city has hired a British security consulting firm to advise it on contracts. Iraq
Lebanese Shiite cleric calls for building inclusive state In an interview with Al-Monitor, Lebanese Shiite cleric Hani Fahs said that the region must work toward peace, and citizens should work to build inclusive states. Iraq
Israel's march of folly to the Jordan Valley The Jordan Valley is the key to solving the refugee issue and to building a future Palestinian airport, thus the Israeli bill proposing to annex this region is the de facto end to a peace agreement. Israel
