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
Ankara to continue targeted killings of PKK leaders abroad Turkey is encouraged by the success of its surgical airstrike in Iraq that killed outlawed Kurdish leader Ismail Ozden. Iraq
Will Gaza factions accept Israel-Hamas arrangement? Some Gaza factions demand that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas be included in the Israel-Hamas arrangement. Palestine
Why Netanyahu wants more money for security Top defense experts estimate that the new 2030 Security Concept was designed not as a serious tool to protect Israel against its threats, but as a means to preserve Benjamin Netanyahu’s image of "Mr. Security." Palestine
No opposition to West Bank settlement boom West Bank settlements are enjoying a new era of well-being and calm on all fronts, including the Israeli left who gave up as no one cares to listen. Palestine
Congress ratchets up pressure on Trump, Russia over Syria President Donald Trump wants to work with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to remove Iran from Syria, but Congress remains skeptical. Syria
Pompeo names high-level Syria team as Trump looks for the exit The Donald Trump administration has named former US Ambassador to Iraq and Turkey James Jeffrey to coordinate all aspects of US Syria policy. Syria
Caspian Sea convention moves Iran closer to northern neighbors While the signing of the landmark legal convention on the Caspian Sea has exposed the Rouhani administration to criticism at home, the accord provides Iran with important advantages while leaving the door open for further talks on boundaries. Iran
Turkey amasses force of Syrian rebel factions at Idlib It's not clear what plans Ankara has for the National Liberation Front, a collection of Syrian opposition groups Turkey has established at Idlib. Syria
Is Washington pushing Turkey and Europe toward each other? Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wants new allies amid his spat with US President Donald Trump, but the West remains his best bet. Turkey
Apparent death threat against Rouhani triggers fierce backlash A placard seen at a recent gathering at a top seminary in Iran draws a fierce backlash, as it is being interpreted as a death threat against President Hassan Rouhani. Iran
Trump declares 'no concessions' for Turkey The US president said in an interview he is "saddened" by Ankara’s refusal to free an American pastor in a dispute that has exacerbated Turkey’s economic woes and threatened a decades-long alliance. Turkey
Egypt's large secondhand book market delivers bargains, rare gems In Egypt, book prices have doubled or tripled in the last few years, driving people to secondhand book stalls in Soor al-Azbakeya. Egypt
