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
As China-Iran talks continue, Beijing keeps up outreach to Gulf While Iran and China are still working to finalize a 25-year strategic partnership plan, Chinese officials continue to expand bilateral ties with the Gulf, something that could have unexpected implications for Iran-GCC ties. United Arab Emirates
Iranians tune in as Trump, Biden duel in separate town halls Iranians are paying close attention to the US presidential race, devouring constant media coverage and analysis. Iran
Virus may restrict first UAE visit to Israeli airport COVID-19 concerns may keep Emirati diplomats in the airport during their first official visit to Israel, which is experiencing an outbreak. United Arab Emirates
France’s Sarkozy charged in Libya campaign funding probe Prosecutors are investigating whether the former French president received illegal campaign financing from Moammar Gadhafi's regime. Libya
US drone strike kills two suspected al-Qaeda officials in Idlib The strike is believed to have killed a former member of Huras al-Din's Shura Council and a security official. Syria
Turkish boozers resist alcohol restrictions — sometimes at deadly risk An avalanche of taxes has made raki, Turkey’s national drink, a luxury product, fueling the proliferation of bootleg liquor with deadly consequences. Turkey
Pompeo hopes Armenia can 'defend' itself from Azerbaijan Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also said that Turkey was increasing the risk of more bloodshed. Turkey
Intel: Missile launched on Turkey's Black Sea coast after notice of S-400 test Turkey's Defense Ministry has not publicly confirmed if the missile was part of planned tests of the Russian-built air defense system. Turkey
Biden slams Trump's Iran policy at town hall The Democratic presidential candidate also praised Trump's work on the UAE-Israel deal. Israel
Iraqi cleric pushes for elections, new social contract, in support of prime minister Iraqi cleric Ammar al-Hakim, the head of Iraqioun parliamentary bloc and Hikma movement, is seeking to chart a nonsectarian alternative to the existing political structure. Iraq
Netanyahu off the hook on submarine affair Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can breathe easier now that the attorney general has decided not to investigate him in the submarine affair nor in the stock-share dealing case. Israel
Are Egypt-Russia naval drills in Black Sea message to Ankara? For the first time, the Egyptian navy holds joint exercises in the Black Sea with Russia, at a time of escalating tensions with Turkey. Egypt
