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
The challenges of covering Syria Italian freelance journalist Andrea Glioti has covered Syria since the uprising began three years ago, dodging danger and border controls to get the story out. Syria
The tragedy of Palestinian revisionism The author responds to Linah Alsaafin, who called Acre a “city in northern Palestine.” Palestine
Kerry's Palestinian economic plan another dead end? The details and process for US Secretary of State John Kerry's $4 billion economic plan to date are discouraging. Palestine
Iran parliament issues warning against women smoking hookah Twenty parliament members have warned President Hassan Rouhani about the dangers of women smoking hookah at tea houses. Turkey
UAE replaces Qatar as Egypt's partner on Suez project Egypt has been coordinating with the United Arab Emirates on the Suez Canal project, amid growing public outcry at the lack of transparency surrounding it. Egypt
Facebook campaigns denounce Egyptian films that degrade women Several Egyptian groups have emerged to denounce locally made films they believe are degrading to women and to demand legislation to protect women. Egypt
Turkey-Azerbaijan relations still strong Although Azerbaijan is warming its relations with Russia and Iran, Ankara still remains the most pivotal ally for Baku. Turkey
Time running out for Turkey-PKK peace process The AKP government’s stalling of required steps for peace and a political solution with the Kurds increases the likelihood of controlled violence. Turkey
Playing Umm Kulthoum for Israelis Sami Khsheibun, creator of the “Queen of the Nile” — a tribute concert to Egyptian singer Umm Kulthoum — is building musical bridges between the worlds of oriental classical music and Western classical. Palestine
Prisoner-settlement exchange means no free lunch Negotiations are slated to last nine months, but if by the end of the year no progress is made, the Obama administration will present an American final status agreement draft. Palestine
How Netanyahu pushed Erekat into a corner The resignation of Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat reflects the disappointment within Palestinian public opinion following Israel's decision to continue settlement construction. Palestine
