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
Israel hopes aviation agreement warms up ties with Jordan Israel and Jordan sign agreement to allow overflights flights through each other's airspace. United Arab Emirates
UN’s Yemen envoy urges end to clashes in Hodeidah Martin Griffiths said he was alarmed by reports of casualties among civilians, including women and children. Yemen
Iran official seeks lockdown extension as virus rages A Tehran official has pled for a longer lockdown as coronavirus cases rise in Tehran province. Iran
Russia's outreach to Syrian Kurds highlights dual-track approach While Russia blames the United States for adding fuel to the fire of Kurdish separatism, it calls on the Syrian Kurds to lay the groundwork for constitutional reform, so as to contain conflict in the territories over which Damascus has long lost control. Syria
US vice presidential candidates debate Iran policy Vice President Mike Pence and Senator Kamala Harris took on Iran issues like the nuclear deal and the killing of Qasem Soleimani. United States
Iranian rights defender Narges Mohammadi released from prison Mohammadi served more than eight years in prison on a dubious national security conviction. Iran
Despite COVID-19, political crisis, Iraqi Shiites march on Karbala Shiites across southern and central Iraq are marching to Karbala for Arbaeen. Iraq
Naftali Bennett, propelled by coronavirus crisis, challenges Netanyahu By presenting a level-headed image of a politician with a real anti-coronavirus program, Yamina leader Naftali Bennett is gaining the support of many who are disappointed in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel
Erdogan dealt strong hand against Putin in Azerbaijan-Armenia war Turkey is taking advantage of Russian dilemmas to claim a role in the Caucasus by backing for Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with Armenia. Turkey
Why Nile Renaissance Dam talks are on hold for now The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam negotiations between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan have been in a state of calm since the last session that was held under the auspices of the African Union and completely failed to reach a binding agreement between all parties. Egypt
Execution of 15 rekindles human rights debate in Egypt Cairo has executed another 15 political detainees whose families are accusing the state of torture and refusing to hand over the bodies. Egypt
