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
Sunnis, Kurds court Sadr as new Iraqi government takes shape As negotiations to form Iraq's next government kick into high gear, Sunni and Kurdish leaders are streaming to the house of triumphant Muqtada al-Sadr. Iraq
Weary Istanbulites flock to seaside Izmir Tired of traffic, extreme concretization and decelerated social interaction, white-collar, educated Turkish people are abandoning Istanbul for Turkey’s Aegean coastal province of Izmir. Turkey
Turkish lira in tailspin as Erdogan spooks investors Clinging to unorthodox economic views, Turkey’s president has effectively paralyzed the central bank as the Turkish lira’s meltdown continues, threatening major economic turmoil. Turkey
The Islamic State in Iran The court proceedings against alleged Islamic State members and sympathizers who facilitated the attacks in Tehran last year offer a rare insight into how the terrorist group operates in Iran. Iran
The truth about Gaza Misleading and untrue information about the recent demonstrations and violence on the Gaza border have concealed the fact that the Great Return March was planned and conducted as a nonviolent protest by the Palestinians. Palestine
Congress rebels against Trump’s Middle East war secrecy Fed up with increased restrictions on information and less on-the-ground access, some Democrats are seeking more transparency regarding the Donald Trump administration’s military operations throughout the region. Kuwait
How US hawks are boosting Iranian radicals Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s speech on Iran is fueling the prospects for hard-liners who have been largely sidelined by Iranian voters in recent years. United States
Erdogan’s heir apparent The candidate lists for Turkey's upcoming elections have been released, and the ruling party's is led by the president's son-in-law. Turkey
Turkish army's Idlib action 'riskiest cross-border operation' to date Experts list the possibility of confrontation between Turkey and Syria, a new influx of refugees and activity by radical groups as potential hazards of Turkey’s deployment into Idlib. Syria
Israeli right shifts stance on Armenian genocide amid Turkey spat Israeli lawmakers on the right are finally set to recognize the "Armenian Holocaust" — but perhaps just to spite Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and score points with their bases. Palestine
Pompeo’s speech unites Iranian media, politicians Iranian media and officials roundly rejected and ridiculed demands made on Tehran by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in a speech. United States
Iraq elections: Will Sadr seek a new beginning with Turkey? Ankara is welcoming Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr’s stand against foreign intervention and military presence — as long as it doesn't apply to Turkey. Iraq
