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
Pompeo dismisses Rouhani’s terms for talks as Iran admits ‘no plan B’ for Syria Israel, Iran and the United States are all not backing down in Syria, but US-Iran prisoner talks may still have a chance. Iraq
US-backed Syrian Kurdish militia offers rare apology to rivals amid unity talks The apology is testament to the group's determination to see unity talks between the Kurdish National Council and the PYD through to a successful end. Syria
Intel: Russian mercenaries enter key oil field, Libya oil company says A convoy of Russian mercenaries entered Libya’s Sharara oil field and met with the facility’s security forces yesterday, the country’s National Oil Corporation said. Libya
Syria risks another wave of migration, UN food agency warns The United Nations' World Food Program director told the AP more Syrians will flee the country unless the international community steps in with additional aid. Syria
Monuments, statues destroyed by unidentified groups in Iraq Despite vandalism turning into a phenomenon in Iraq, the Iraqi authorities have yet to identify the individuals destroying monuments and statues throughout the country, but there is growing consensus whereby such acts express a political rejection of the ruling parties. Iraq
Netanyahu announces anti-coronavirus cooperation between Israel, UAE Private companies from Israel and the United Arab Emirates plan to cooperate on developing technologies to battle COVID-19. United Arab Emirates
UN Security Council to meet on Egypt-Ethiopia dam dispute The meeting will discuss Egypt's and Sudan's objections to the Ethiopian dam. Egypt
Intel: US pushes warring Libya factions to disband militias US officials pushed Libya’s UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) to demobilize its militias in virtual meeting this week, the State Department announced today. Libya
Netherlands isn’t required to repatriate Islamic State families in Syria, court rules The Netherlands isn't required to bring home from northern Syria a group of 23 Dutch women suspected of joining the Islamic State or their 56 children. Syria
Turkey gears up for tougher challenge in Libya as conflict heats up Despite cease-fire calls in Libya, Turkey and its allies might be readying for a push toward the strategically important areas of Sirte and al-Jufra next month. Turkey
Netanyahu unapologetic on demanding tax exemptions Despite soaring unemployment and an economic crisis in Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took the time to demand retroactive tax exemptions for himself. Israel
Individual initiatives breathe life back into Gaza’s old houses Some businessmen and heritage institutions have taken it upon themselves to restore the ancient homes of the Gaza Strip, some dating back hundreds of years, amid limited government funding and external support to preserve Gaza’s heritage. Palestine
