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
Turkey's Kurdish Road MapLosing Direction The PKK has suspended its withdrawal of militants from Turkey, casting doubt on the fate of the peace process. Turkey
How Israel Stopped Trafficking in Women Chairman of the Knesset Subcommittee on Trafficking in Women David Tsur explains that Israeli determination and American pressure have led to the virtual eradication of human trafficking in Israel. Israel
Innovation, Entrepreneurs Vital For Regional Economic Growth The Middle East and North Africa have abundant economic potential that can be harnessed through the power of the private sector. Pan Arab
Many Palestinian Women Surrender Inheritance for Marriage Many Palestinian families strip their daughters of their inheritance rights if they wed outside the family. Palestine
Palestinians Frustrated As Israel Stalls Peace Talks Palestinian leaders have made several complaints to the media about the lack of progress in the peace talks with Israel. Palestine
New Iraqi Protest Movement Targets Corrruption Overall dissatisfaction with the Iraqi government promises to overcome sectarian, ethnic and political rifts and pave the way for the emergence of a potentially effective protest movement. Iraq
KDP May Run Alone In Iraqi Kurdistan Elections The two major parties in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq have shared power since 2005, but some believe that President Massoud Barzani and his party are planning to go it alone following upcoming parliamentary elections. Iraq
A Salafi Assault on Turkish Theology? Turkey's universities are witnessing a rise in a more dogmatic approach to Islamic philosophy. Turkey
Russian Diplomacy Transforms Debate on Syria The Russian initiative on Syria's chemical weapons slows the Obama administration’s flagging effort to get congressional support for a military strike. Syria
The Return of the Israeli Left Israel Supreme Court's ruling against the right wing Im Tirtzu NGO gives momentum to the revival of the left and human rights organizations. Israel
Lebanon as 'Theater of Surprise' In Syria War Lebanon is the traditional battlefield for regional conflicts. Lebanon
Nile Water Dispute Stymies Egypt Reset with African Union Egypt's relations with Africa remain cool despite a diplomatic campaign by Cairo to reboot ties. Egypt
