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
The Takeaway: Hamas ‘balloon terror’ sparks conflict on Gaza faultline Both Israel and Hamas turn to Qatar in wake of escalation; Turkey gets closer to Malta, as regional tensions escalate; Hadley Gamble on Lebanon’s creditors; a poem for Beirut; more! Originals
Yemen’s Red Sea 'time bomb’ is a Beirut-like disaster in waiting An abandoned oil tanker is a looming catastrophe off the coast of Yemen’s most vital port, threatening the livelihoods and health of vast numbers of people. Yemen
Etihad cancels Shanghai flights following positive virus tests Future travelers to the Chinese city will have to comply with stricter regulations from the Abu Dhabi-based airline. United Arab Emirates
Syria's Assad halts parliament speech over low blood pressure: state TV President Bashar al-Assad said he needed to sit down before suddenly exiting the room full of lawmakers. Syria
Intel: US engaging with Libya players for possible demilitarization of Sirte US officials have discussed with foreign governments the possibility of establishing a demilitarized area in and around the Libyan city of Sirte, Washington’s Ambassador to Libya Richard Norland said Monday. Originals
Ilhan Omar wins primary election despite pro-Israel groups' efforts Omar has been accused of anti-Semitism for her views on Israel, but easily won the Democratic primary election in her Minnesota district. Originals
Turkish officials delay school reopenings as new daily COVID-19 cases remain above 1,100 Turkish health officials delayed plans to reopen schools later this month, as medical experts warn of rising infection rates throughout the country. Turkey
Can Erdogan reciprocate Macron’s Beirut stunt? Macron’s call for a “new order” in Lebanon conflicts with Erdogan’s regional ambitions, but the climate in Lebanon is no longer as welcoming to Turkey’s president as it was a decade ago. Lebanon
Jordan closes border with Syria due to virus concerns The temporary closing of the Jaber border crossing coincides with concerns the coronavirus is spreading in Syria. Jordan
Iraq tells Turkey defense minister to stay away after its officers killed in drone strike Iraq cancelled a planned Baghdad visit by Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar and summoned the Turkish ambassador after a a Turkish drone attack killed two senior Iraqi officials. Iraq
Lebanon registers record COVID-19 cases in blast aftermath With social distancing relaxed and hospitals under strain, Lebanon reported a record 309 new cases and seven deaths from the virus Tuesday. Lebanon
Iraq's Kurdistan Region recording highest-ever daily COVID-19 cases The Kurdistan Region of Iraq has been hard hit by both the coronavirus and the economic impact of the lockdowns, as a top politician announces he has contracted the virus. Iraq
