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
Economists unmoved by pause in Turkish lira's plummet Though the latest news about Turkey's currency is good, economists still believe Turkey could well be sailing into recession, while at the G-20 summit, the Turkish president is frustrated by how little is being made of the Jamal Khashoggi murder case. Saudi Arabia
Iran reintroduces fuel cards to combat smuggling The Iranian government’s reintroduction of fuel cards has the potential to increase efficiency in governance and economy. However, it is important that the government pursue a comprehensive plan to rationalize fuel consumption, subsidies and cash handouts. Iran
Iran says missile tests do not violate UN resolution Iran has denied it violated a UN resolution and said that missile tests would continue. United States
Arab Spring memories fresh as Tunisians protest MBS Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was greeted in Tunisia by hundreds of protesters, blaming him for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and calling for an end to the Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen. Saudi Arabia
KDP names picks for Iraqi Kurdistan government The conflict between the two main Kurdish parties in Iraq could make for political maneuvering among the smaller parties as Iraqi Kurdistan seeks to form a new government. Iraq
Egypt’s political life still struggles under Sisi Egypt’s political parties are witnessing internal divisions that further deteriorate poor political partisan activity. Egypt
Tunisian women one step closer to equal inheritance The Tunisian government recently approved a law on gender equality in inheritance, stirring mixed reactions in the country that prides itself for being the most democratic in the Arab world. Tunisia
Does PA want to share Russian support with Hamas? It seems Russia is taking its time before translating its support to the Palestinians into real policymaking on the ground. Palestine
Netanyahu, Rivlin differ on anti-Semitism in Europe Separate interviews given by President Reuven Rivlin and by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to CNN about European anti-Semitism highlight the differences between them over Israel’s attitude toward the rise of the far right in Europe. Israel
Expect drama as attorney general weighs Netanyahu indictment The Israeli police's recommendation to indict Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife for taking bribes in the so-called Case 4000 could lead to several dramatic possibilities for the people of Israel. Israel
