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
What China-Iran deal means for Washington China's reported multibillion economic and security deal with Iran could be a double-edged sword. United States
Knesset moves to outlaw conversion therapy in Israel Israel's ultra-Orthodox parties are angry with their coalition allies in the Blue and White for supporting a bill criminalizing conversion therapy for homosexuals. Israel
Intel: Trump, MBZ talk ridding Libya of proxy fighters During a phone call Tuesday, the US president and Abu Dhabi’s crown prince discussed diffusing the Libyan crisis as a new battle looms in the strategic city of Sirte. United Arab Emirates
Iran talks long-term partnership deal with Russia To mitigate the impacts of the unrelenting US “maximum pressure” policy, Iran seems to be seeking solutions in clinching long-term partnership deals with allies. Russia
Iran's supreme leader to Iraqi PM: Iran does not interfere in Iraq-US relations During Iraqi prime minister's trip to Iran, the two countries emphasized on building a constructive relationship based on mutual respect and national interests. Iraq
China emerges as potential investor as Lebanon runs low on options As Lebanon struggles to find countries willing to provide financial assistance during its economic meltdown, China seems to emerge as a serious contender. Lebanon
Israeli Arabs absent from anti-Netanyahu, COVID-19 crisis protests Years of exclusion from the social and political arenas might explain the fact that almost no Arab citizens have been seen taking to the streets to protest this government and its prime minister. Israel
Intel: House passes bill forcing Trump to sanction Turkey over Russian missiles The House passed legislation today that would force President Donald Trump to slap sanctions on Turkey over its purchase of the Russian S-400 missile defense system. Turkey
Jordanian PM says support for one-state solution possible if Israel annexes West Bank Omar Razzaz told The Guardian that Jordan would view one state "positively," but he reiterated Amman's opposition to Israel's stalled plan to annex parts of the West Bank. Jordan
Can Erdogan push for his 'crazy project' amid economic crisis? The Turkish government's decision to rezone some agricultural lands in the vicinity of the area where the Canal Istanbul is to be built has rekindled controversy surrounding the project. Turkey
US to buy eight of Turkey’s F-35s from Lockheed Martin The decision comes after Turkey had been expelled from the fighter jet's production program over its purchase of a Russian air defense system. Originals
Iran’s Khamenei pushes Iraq on ousting US forces The meeting between Iran's supreme leader and the Iraqi prime minister took place at a critical juncture in Iran-Iraq relations and amid the tug of war between Tehran and Washington over influence in Iraqi politics. Iran
