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
Is Israel's justice minister determined to undermine the judicial system? Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked's proposal to let Israeli ministries select their own legal advisers reflects an alarmingly undemocratic political trend. Palestine
Is IDF letting Hamas dictate rules of game? Since Israel fears engaging in another Gaza war, it is reluctant to respond by force against Hamas provocations. Palestine
Iranian hard-liners smell blood as Rouhani under fire over economy Iranian hard-liners continue to maneuver to not just undermine but wholly get rid of moderate President Hassan Rouhani. Iran
More of the same? Erdogan rule to replace emergency rule in Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will reportedly not extend Turkey's state of emergency, in place since the 2016 coup, when it expires, but critics warn Erdogan has just gained many of the powers it afforded him. Turkey
Rouhani urges Iran’s factions to unite against US pressure Facing mounting economic pressure, President Hassan Rouhani urged Iran’s various factions to put differences aside and work together. United States
Why ultra-nationalists exceeded expectations in Turkey's elections The higher-than-expected vote share of the ultra-nationalists in Turkey's recent elections surprised many, but in hindsight and upon closer examination, its causes are not so puzzling. Syria
Palestinians applaud Erdogan win, pin hopes on Turkey Palestinians hope Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will cut ties with Israel and focus even more on their cause. Palestine
Israelis take two steps forward on equality, then two steps back Israeli consumers protested against companies segregating men and women or excluding on a racial basis, but the judiciary and government ministries continue to back gender segregation. Israel
Egyptian activist creates music from garbage “Music has logic, and anything can make a sound,” says Shady Rabab, who received a UN prize for addressing poverty and waste management in Egypt by making musical instruments from trash and training young people in a band. Egypt
Israel’s nuclear ambiguity policy blocks diplomatic process There is little hope for peace in the Middle East as long as Israel insists on its ambiguous nuclear policy and refuses to sign disarmament agreements. Israel
Child abuse case brings outrage, but no change in Iran Just a month after a high-profile child molestation case shook Iran, the outrage has died down and very little is being done to prevent future abuse. Iran
Congress seeks to hand off Israel boycott fight to Trump Congress is taking a third stab at legislation combating boycotts of Israel and its West Bank settlements by passing the buck to the Donald Trump administration. Palestine
