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
Iran drought turns political as lawmakers fight over water share The acute drought that Iran is going through has started to show its political face as lawmakers from crisis-hit areas protest the "unjust" distribution of the already shrinking water resources. Iran
Turkey tests waters before next operation in Syria Ankara will face numerous political and security risks if it moves too hastily in its pursuit of the YPG in Syria. Iraq
UN seeks to raise awareness of bias against African-Iraqis Iraqis of African descent seem to be making progress, albeit slowly, against discrimination, with the UN's help. Iraq
Ankara provokes Iraqi government with plans against PKK Turkish airstrikes against pro-PKK groups in Iraq's Kurdistan put the Iraqi government in a difficult situation, as it cannot eject Kurdish militias or stop Turkish intervention. Iraq
Gaza traders face new taxes, import restrictions In a bid to protect national products, Hamas’ Ministry of National Economy in Gaza imposed new taxes on imported goods and banned traders from importing any goods without its consent. Palestine
Financial crisis threatens to silence Hamas broadcasts Hamas-affiliated channel Al-Aqsa TV fears financial woes could force it to stop broadcasting for the first time since 2006. Originals
Torrential rain leaves Syrian displaced homeless Syria’s internally displaced who found refuge in makeshift camps in Aleppo’s countryside have been badly affected by heavy rainfall with the start of winter, as they lost all their belongings and tents. Syria
Israeli factory to be established in Gaza, is this possible? Israel’s SodaStream announced it will open a manufacturing plant in the Gaza Strip, raising eyebrows since the company was forced to close a factory it previously operated in the West Bank under pressure from the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement. Palestine
Why was the Palestinian Legislative Council dismantled? Palestinians are losing hope in their government and its institutions, especially after the Palestinian Constitutional Court issued a decision to dissolve the democratically elected Palestinian Legislative Council that represented all Palestinian parties. Palestine
Iraqi politicians call to expel US troops following Trump visit US President Donald Trump's surprise visit to Iraq was met with great offense and criticism with wide regional implications. Originals
Are Turkey, Syria squaring off in response to US decision? The US announcement that it will pull its troops out of Syria has sparked serious reactions, with Syria repositioning its forces around Manbij and opposition fighters weighing what the outcome could mean for them. Syria
