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
Iran’s currency tensions spur crypto ban Iran’s recent move to ban cryptocurrencies is not only far from clear in its scope, but also likely a mere temporary fix amid efforts to combat capital flight. Iran
Turkey’s lone 'she-wolf' leaves opposition fractured Turkey’s Good Party leader Meral Aksener has inspired hope among many that she could beat President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the June polls, but others fear she's standing in the way of a united opposition challenge. Turkey
Turkey still working to get Altay tanks rolling After 12 years, things are finally falling into place for Turkey's indigenous Altay tank, but it can't get far without an engine. Turkey
Will Abbas meet with Pompeo? The current assessment among Palestinian officials is that they should not turn down the American offer to meet with Mike Pompeo, the new secretary of state. Palestine
Israeli, Palestinian candidates share electoral list in Jerusalem first For the first time in history, Palestinians and Israelis are joining hands and running in the same electoral list in Jerusalem's municipal elections. Palestine
Libya finance minister: Political divide blocking economic reform In an interview with Al-Monitor, GNA Finance Minister Osama Hamad discussed the impact of the political division on the economic situation in Libya. Libya
US advances confidence-building measures toward Palestinians The Palestinian leadership in Ramallah refuses to negotiate with US administration envoys, but might be willing to indirectly discuss an interim agreement. Palestine
Teacher strike puts Tunisian kids' year of studies at risk This school year might not be counted in the Tunisian educational system unless the striking teachers and the government can resolve their differences. Tunisia
Economic disobedience looms in Gaza Gaza’s private sector is threatening to start acts of economic disobedience in a bid to pressure the Palestinian Authority and Israel into alleviating the economic crisis plaguing the enclave. Palestine
Palestinian writers rejoice as one of their own wins 'Arab Booker' With his dystopian novel “The Second War of the Dog,” Ibrahim Nasrallah won the 2018 International Prize for Arab Fiction in yet another victory for Palestinian literature. Palestine
New Israeli party highlights influence of Likud's 'DNA' Knesset member Orly Levy-Abekasis will join a growing list of right-wing party leaders who emerged from the Likud and who hold power throughout the ranks of the Israeli government. Israel
Can 'nudge theory’ change citizens’ behavior, government policy in Lebanon? An upcoming conference on behavioral economics in Beirut will examine a political tool that could shape national policies and improve public services. Lebanon
