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
Gaza Rappers Persevere Despite Hamas Ban The liberal-Islamist divide is alive in Gaza, with Hamas keen to prevent the "Westernization" of Gaza's youth. Palestine
Palestinians Demolish Part of Separation Wall A group of 20 Palestinians drilled a hole in the separation wall near Jerusalem to reconnect two Palestinian villages. Palestine
Algeria Opposes Ransom To Terrorists In its constant effort to combat terrorism both at home and abroad, Algeria demonstrates that it is more opposed than ever to allowing ransoms to be paid to hostage takers. Originals
Israel Rethinks Assumptions About Syria The sudden change in assumptions on the Syrian war should invite us to wonder about the basis on which they were made. Israel
At Jerusalem’s Western Wall: 'Not Only A Feminist Battle' After winning in the judicial arena, “Women of the Wall” prepare for the political battle over the ability to pray freely by the Western Wall. Israel
Lebanon: An Intolerable Delay Lebanon must settle the dipute over its electoral law and form a new government. Lebanon
Why Only Democracy Can Save Egypt Egypt’s military chief wisely dismisses calls for a coup against President Mohammed Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood. Egypt
Israeli Supreme Court To Rule on Eviction A day before the arrival of US Secretary of State John Kerry to the region, Israel's Supreme Court will rule on the eviction of a Palestinian family in East Jerusalem. Palestine
The Children of Gaza’s Tunnels The Israeli-imposed blockade on Gaza is helping the smuggling tunnels flourish, with many children choosing to work in these tunnels out of necessity despite the danger. Palestine
The Looming Power Struggle Between Erdogan and Gulenists A power struggle with Fethullah Gulen, Turkey's most powerful Sunni cleric, could sway Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's political fortunes. Turkey
Iran Key to Success of Geneva II Talks on Syria The United States should invite Iran to the Geneva II talks on Syria and consider it a start for a more expansive regional dialogue. Israel
The Long Uncertain Road Back to Geneva If it happens, the Geneva II Conference on Syria will only be a start in bringing peace to Syria. Syria
