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
Tehran set for yet another mayor amid Reformist infighting Tehran is set to get yet another mayor amid ongoing infighting among the Reformists. The question is whether the next internal mayoral vote will put an end to the bickering. Iran
Turkey’s Protestants see silver lining in Brunson ordeal A representative of Turkey’s Protestant Christians talks to Al-Monitor about how the politically charged trial of their co-religionist, American pastor Andrew Brunson, affected the tiny community. Turkey
How Palestinian workers in Israel stand to benefit from new payment regulations Come January, many Palestinians working in Israel will see big changes in how and how often they are paid. Palestine
Decoding the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi Investigators are making headway in the death of a journalist with Saudi, Turkish and US ties. Saudi Arabia
Israeli think tank's diplomatic plan signals left while turning right The diplomatic framework presented by Israel's top security studies institute plays into the hands of those working to keep the status quo rather than enter real negotiations with the Palestinians. Palestine
Saudi sports minister leaves Egypt’s sports scene The decision of the head of Saudi General Sports Authority Turki al-Sheikh to withdraw from Egyptian sports and sell his club Pyramids Football Club after being insulted by Al-Ahli fans at one of their games sparked controversy in Egypt. Saudi Arabia
Why Abbas wants to dissolve legislative council Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called for the dissolution of the Palestinian Legislative Council, a move that raised legal controversy. Palestine
Afrin residents fear continued kidnappings Rogue members of the Free Syrian Army and the Syrian Democratic Forces are thought to be behind kidnappings of Afrin residents in exchange for money. Syria
Netanyahu ignores Gaza violence, throws IDF chief to wolves The Israeli prime minister's predictable scapegoating of the IDF head is much easier than formulating a coherent policy on Gaza — and more politically profitable, too. Palestine
Israeli activists call out military academy for messianic teachings Human rights activist and attorney Yair Nehorai is petitioning the Supreme Court to halt the state funding of the Bnei David Military Preparatory Academy, which he claims advances a messianic worldview and is working to undermine democracy. Israel
Iraq's major Dawa Party rethinks course after electoral fumble Iraq's Islamic Dawa Party has been doing some soul-searching since losing the premiership for the first time in 14 years. Iraq
