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 vaccinations begin, Israel may offer Palestinians surplus Israeli health authorities are signaling they might offer the Palestinian Authority surplus vaccines against the coronavirus. Palestine
Iraq vaccinates 2 million children against polio The Iraqi health authorities affirmed the country is polio-free and mass vaccinations aim to prevent the spread of the disease. Iraq
GCC to hold summit in January amid Qatar row, Kuwait says Kuwait, which has acted as a mediator between Qatar and its Gulf neighbors, said the annual summit will be held in Saudi Arabia on Jan. 5. Legacy: Gulf
Germany to fund alternative energy plant in Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia is focused on developing alternatives to oil as prices remain low amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia seeking 20-year sentence for jailed women’s activist Loujain al-Hathloul's sister said the state prosecutor is seeking the maximum sentence in a trial rights groups say is grossly unfair. Saudi Arabia
Emirates resumes flights to Istanbul The Dubai-based airline recently reported a massive revenue loss for 2020, but continues to rebuild its flight network toward pre-pandemic status. United Arab Emirates
Bahrain's king receives COVID-19 vaccine King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa was vaccinated days after Bahrain approved use of the Chinese Sinopharm vaccine. Bahrain
Congressmen say Turkey is undermining NATO The top Democrat and the top Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee criticized Turkey's purchase of a Russian air defense system and drilling in the Mediterranean. Turkey
Gulf economies face major challenges in post-COVID 19 world Signals indicate the embargo imposed on Qatar could come to an end, but can the Gulf Cooperation Council play a coordinating role vital to diversify Gulf economies post-pandemic? Legacy: Gulf
Iraq, Turkey agree to cooperate on counterterrorism, trade Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi committed to enhanced cooperation on terrorism, trade and energy, although Turkey’s ongoing military operations in Iraqi Kurdistan may remain a source of contention between the two neighbors. Iraq
Iran's Khamenei says nuclear deal can be reentered ‘without delay’ Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said there should be no delay in removing sanctions and reentering the nuclear deal. United States
Turkey won't back down from S-400s despite sanctions, says foreign minister Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Ankara will "take steps" to respond to the US sanctions unveiled this week. Turkey
