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
Report on Nile River Basin bolsters Egypt A new report indicates that, despite claims to the contrary, Egypt is not receiving an inflated share of the Nile's waters. Egypt
Arab societies must build 'citizen-states' The Arab state system needs to better apply to concepts of civil society. Egypt
Iranians slam France on nuclear talks Iranian media, politicians and citizens have reacted harshly to what they perceive as French obstructionism in the nuclear negotiations. Saudi Arabia
Turkey returns to balance in Baghdad, KRG ties Turkey is flirting with Baghdad while dancing with Erbil. Iraq
Syrian Alawites hope for change in Turkey Syrian Alawite refugees face discrimination and hardship in Turkey. Syria
Iraq's Jaafari law would violate human rights A draft law that would impose the principles of Jaafari jurisprudence on Shiite marriages would violate many human rights protected under Iraq's civil code. Iraq
Iraqi elections will be about Maliki Iraqi electoral coalitions are expected to fragment before the upcoming general election in April 2014. Iraq
Palestinians play resignation card to protest Israeli settlements Unable to break off the talks, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has decided to reshuffle his negotiating team to send a message to Israel. Palestine
Turks visit Ataturk’s mausoleum in record numbers More than a million Turks visited Anitkabir on Nov. 10, marking the 75th anniversary of the death of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founding father of modern-day Turkey, in protest of the current Islamist-based government. Turkey
Liberman to Rebuild US-Israel Ties Returning Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman intends to rebuild his ministry as a focal point for diplomatic negotiations and a political platform for his path to the premiership. Israel
Netanyahu government 'Israelizes' east Jerusalem While the idea of two capitals for two states is being discussed between the Israeli and Palestinian delegations, Jerusalem's mayor and the government promote building plans in east Jerusalem. Palestine
Disaster response team boosts Israel's image abroad A Home Front Command unit that spent the past few years providing assistance in disaster areas around the world has become the most effective tool in the battle over Israel’s image worldwide. Israel
