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
Anbar protesters remain defiant despite government threats In spite of calls from the government to postpone the Anbar sit-ins until after parliamentary elections, protesters there say they will not leave until their demands are met. Iraq
Tunisia’s countdown to transition Tunisia’s newly nominated prime minister, Mehdi Jomaa, has been given a two-week period to form an independent and nonpartisan government. Tunisia
Nedim Sener focuses on Cemaat role in Turkey scandal Nedim Sener, an investigative journalist who documented the police misconduct that potentially led to Hrant Dink’s murder, is speaking against the Cemaat. Turkey
Young Knesset member: Pension funds are Israel's time bombs Knesset member Michal Biran warns of the collapsing pension system: "If we don't adopt emergency measures, then everyone who saves up today for their pension will remain without a pension when they get older." Israel
Prominent Palestinian psychiatrist Eyad Sarraj dies Prominent Palestinian psychiatrist and champion of the national cause, Eyad Sarraj, dies at 70. Palestine
Aleppo's bloodiest week An exclusive report from Aleppo, which is facing the worst bombing of Syria's war. Syria
Erdogan criticizes, undermines huge corruption investigation The Turkish government has enacted a flurry of measures to thwart a massive corruption investigation, threatening fundamental norms of democracy. Turkey
Ex-soccer player's resignation a turning point for the AKP The resignation of Istanbul Deputy Hakan Sukur, one of Turkey’s all-time best strikers and a Gulenist, from the AKP seems to have come right in time for the all-out war between the government and Gulen movement. Turkey
Egypt declares Muslim Brotherhood terrorist group Egypt's designation of the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization could cause the Brotherhood problems in other Arab countries. Egypt
Iraqi army fights for control of Anbar The Iraqi army has launched an operation to seal the border with Syria and defeat al-Qaeda in western Iraq. Iraq
Facebook businesses boom in Gaza amid unemployment Given the growing unemployment rate and harsh blockade in Gaza, an increasing number of citizens are turning to Facebook to market products and launch small businesses. Palestine
Lebanese banks face prospects, challenges Political stability and another look at economic policies are needed to save Lebanese banks, which have acted as the national economy’s driving force. Lebanon
