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
Who threatens Rumi’s heritage? The decision by the Konya Provincial Culture Directorate to remove a 1,000-year-old pool from the Mevlana Museum's garden is an assault on Rumi’s heritage. Turkey
Turkey’s LGBT community draws hope from Harvey Milk Turks who identify with the LGBT community face discrimination in every aspect of their lives and have no legal protection at all, but increasing awareness from the public and support mainly from the opposition parties brings hope. Turkey
Rise of Islamic Front a disaster for Syria The ascendance of the Islamic Front threatens a political transition in Syria; Lebanon paralyzed by Syria conflict; Farea al-Muslimi named FP Leading Global Thinker. Saudi Arabia
US, Turkey to rethink Syria policies For starters, the United States and Turkey need to change their approaches to the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party. Saudi Arabia
Person of the Year, pope for our era As Time magazine's Person of the Year, Pope Francis has defined his mission of reform, rehabilitation and healing. Lebanon
PFLP seeks return to prominence in Palestinian affairs In an unprecedented move in Palestinian politics, the PFLP's leadership has resigned to pave the way for younger activists to rejuvenate the party. Palestine
Syria war brings al-Qaeda threat to Iraqi Kurdistan The Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq seeks to prevent the spillover of the war inside its borders. Iraq
Egypt's legitimacy test Instead of voting on the constitution, Egyptians will most likely vote on the legitimacy and direction of the military-backed interim government and their confidence in the road map presented by Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Egypt
Qatar resets its Syria policy Doha tilts away from regime change in Syria and opens up a channel to Hezbollah. Qatar
Yemen’s harrowing transition External influences are threatening to further weaken an already fragile transition in Yemen. Yemen
Latest chapter in battle over Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia The ancient aspiration of Turkish Islamism to transform Hagia Sophia from a museum to a mosque is back on the agenda. Turkey
Iranian factions claim Mandela's legacy Iranians of different political persuasions have sought to view Mandela through their own political views and wants. Iran
