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
Israel Must Take Clear Stand on Syria An operation against Syria carries the potential for escalation that could lead to Armageddon, yet the United States must make it clear: Using weapons of mass destruction is not an option. Israel
Israel Should Be Part Of Coalition Against Syria Israel has a moral obligation to be part of the international coalition being formed against the Assad regime, both as a concerned neighbor and as part of the international community. Israel
Erdogan, Egypt’s Coup And the Israeli Connection While Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan was wrong if he meant to imply that Israel engineered the coup in Egypt, Tel Aviv is certainly glad the coup happened. Egypt
UAE Professor Challenges Cybercrime Law on Twitter After a UAE professor published a provocative article online, observers wait to see how the government will implement its updated cybercrime law. United Arab Emirates
Israel and the Democracy Paradox In the Middle East The coup in Egypt stirs rethinking about elections and democracy throughout the region. Egypt
Iraq to Reinstate Sahwa Forces The Iraqi government is trying to revive the Awakening Movement — the Sahwa forces — among Sunni tribes to combat the rise in terrorism. Iraq
Gaza Factions Oppose Hamas' 'Big Government' Plans An expanded government in Gaza won't solve Hamas' problems and end its isolation. Palestine
Jordan Divided on Muslim Brotherhood The overthrow of the Muslim Brotherhood-led government in Egypt is felt in Jordan. Jordan
US-Russia Diplomacy Could Be Casualty of Attack on Syria A US attack on Syria may undermine the prospects for a Geneva II peace conference and worsen already strained ties between Washington and Moscow. Syria
Turkey’s Babacan Warns Of Financial Turmoil Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan warns of the implications for Turkey of the US Federal Reserve’s plan to taper bond purchases. Turkey
Will Turkey’s Parliament Back Attack on Syria? Turkey’s participation in a “coalition of the willing” for military action in Syria may face resistance in Turkey’s parliament. Turkey
Iraqi Dinar Exchange Rate Linked To Oil Exports, Federal Reserves Experts estimate that Iraq’s federal reserves have reached $80 billion, and are likely to grow given an expected increase in oil output. Iraq
