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
Egypt turns the page on Mubarak era Hosni Mubarak, forced from office during Arab Spring, forged lasting US partnership; his departure signaled new chapter for Egypt, region. Palestine
Repercussions of Iranian radicals running the country Ultraconservatives won the day in Iran’s parliamentary elections, but the saying comes to mind, "Be careful what you wish for." Iran
Intel: Trump administration seeks to extend UN arms embargo on Iran Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Congress today that the United States will appeal to the international community to extend the United Nations arms embargo on Iran that is set to expire in October under the terms of the 2015 nuclear deal. United States
Hook to Al-Monitor: 'Diplomatic malpractice' to let UN arms ban on Iran expire this year Top US diplomat Brian Hook tells Al-Monitor they are "looking at what we can do” to assist the Iranian people during the coronavirus outbreak and he has confidence in the new Swiss humanitarian channel, but "the regime has first responsibility to its own people." United States
‘Killer instinct’ clinches it for Netanyahu Faced with a weak and disastrous campaign by Blue and White and its leader, Benny Gantz, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu won the March 2 elections despite initially appearing to be on his way out of the political arena. Israel
Trump helped Netanyahu with election, but now Bibi's on his own President Donald Trump did all that he could to ensure that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu won yesterday’s election, but now that the votes are in, Israel can't count on his support for any unilateral moves. Israel
Will Russia, Turkey go to war over Syria's Idlib? Matters have gone from bad to worse in Idlib and the stakes for Moscow and Ankara are rising. Syria
Iraq's PM designate mired in Cabinet dilemma Iraq's Prime Minister-designate Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi is unable to form a Cabinet accepted by Iraqi protesters and political parties. Iraq
Deciphering Turkey’s darkest night in Syria All eyes are on Ankara and Moscow in the wake of the severe attack on a Turkish military convoy in Idlib, which threatens to unleash developments that could change all equilibriums in Syria. Syria
Yemen’s Hadi hopes new governor calms Mahra tensions In the wake of clashes between Saudi forces and local tribesmen in Mahra province, Yemen’s president appointed a new governor in the hope of preventing further violence. Legacy: Gulf
Israel OKs more Qatari funds for Gaza to contain escalation Israel seems to believe Qatar's deep pockets can help calm prevail in the Gaza Strip by alleviating some of the suffering there. Originals
Egypt breaks ice with Hamas Egypt invited Hamas to Cairo after months of rupture between the parties, indicating Egypt’s efforts to maintain its role in the Palestinian cause. Qatar
