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
Following Biden win, Iran says nuclear deal not up for review Iranian officials have not been eager to speculate on what a Joe Biden US presidency means for their country. United States
G20 should press Saudi Arabia on jailed activists, rights group says Pressure is building on Riyadh ahead of the annual G20 summit later this month. Saudi Arabia
Islamic State regroups in Syrian Kurdish region Islamic State cells carry out assassinations against the SDF in the SDF-controlled countryside of Deir ez-Zor on an almost daily basis, affecting some civilians and tribal leaders close to the SDF. Syria
Unions rally workers against controversial new Egyptian laws Hundreds of employees from Egypt’s Workers University, a private university, began a strike and sit-in because salaries of employees have not been paid in the past two months, as Egypt approves controversial amendments to the law on the public sector. Egypt
Germany concludes major naval arms package to Egypt, despite opposition Egypt boosts its naval power after Germany agrees to sell naval equipment to Cairo amid tensions in the eastern Mediterranean that is rich in oil and gas resources. Originals
Egypt bets on oranges to boost exports to Japan Japan allowed the Egyptian government to export citrus fruits after long negotiations between the two sides, in a step officials and experts believe will contribute to increasing Egyptian exports, pumping foreign currency into the country, creating job opportunities and increasing farmers’ income. Egypt
Armenian-Israelis protest arms sales to Azerbaijan Israel has kept a low profile on its military dealings with Azerbaijan, but Armenian-Israeli activists have taken the issue to the streets. Israel
Israeli-Arab lawmaker cooperates with Netanyahu’s Likud Knesset member Mansour Abbas of the Arab Joint List is willing to cooperate openly with the Likud on matters that are dear to his own constituency. Israel
Netanyahu takes his time on congratulating Biden Unlike other world leaders, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not congratulate US President-elect Joe Biden immediately after the publishing of the election results, but 12 hours later. Israel
Oman’s reform plans worry activists Large budget deficits have forced Oman to accelerate the pace of economic reforms, which some activists fear are not addressing restrictions on political expression. Oman
Biden's campaign showed what his Middle East policy may be as president The former vice president criticized President Donald Trump's sanctions on Iran and also spoke out on Turkey's role in the Azerbaijan-Armenia war leading up to the Nov. 3 vote. Israel
'How Does a Detonator Work?' Portland man indicted for publishing Islamic State newsletter Hawazen Sameer Mothafar allegedly helped IS with social media and published articles online that encouraged jihadi attacks. Iraq
