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
How Biden will roll back Trump’s ‘America First’ legacy on foreign aid Early foreign aid priorities for the new administration will include restoring aid to the Palestinians and potentially Yemen. United States
Emirates reports massive drop in revenue in 2020 The Dubai-based airline's revenues fell billions and it is relying on reserves and support from the government to continue flying. United Arab Emirates
Islamic State claims responsibility for Jeddah attack The explosion at the World War II commemoration follows a stabbing at the French Consulate in Jeddah last month. Saudi Arabia
Qatar Airways resumes flights to Algiers The Doha-based airline is also increasing the number of its weekly flights to New York and Chicago. Qatar
Turkish lira makes gains on renewed optimism After hitting a series of record lows, Turkey’s currency rebounded more 7% this week as investors expect sharp policy reversals by the nation’s newly appointed economy team. Turkey
South Caucasus deal echoes plan from 30 years ago Although some in Turkey see Russia as the real winner of the Russian-brokered truce between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the deal has elevated Turkey to a regional power in the south Caucasus. Turkey
UN warns Yemen at risk of 'devastating famine' within months The looming famine comes as Yemen records its highest-yet rates of child malnutrition. Yemen
International financial alliance forms to help Iraq Several countries are forming an economic alliance to help Iraq in its financial crisis. Iraq
Israeli, Greek, Cypriot defense ministers meet, reinforce security ties Defense Minister Benny Gantz meets with his Greek and Cypriot counterparts to reinforce the countries’ security ties and strategic cooperation. Israel
Eight peacekeepers dead in Sinai helicopter crash The American, French and Czech members of the peacekeeping force crashed conducting a routine mission and one US soldier survived. Egypt
Iran expects US to return to nuclear deal without conditions Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said the era of maximum pressure is over. Iran
Screws tighten on Gray Wolves, Erdogan’s European guard France’s decision to outlaw the Gray Wolves marks a new milestone in Erdogan’s showdown with Europe over Turkish migrant groups, which he uses as a tool to advance his political agenda. Turkey
