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
PA seeks Israeli left's support to challenge US peace plan Despite the public's ire, the Palestinian Authority has been meeting with members of the Israeli media and the sympathetic left to boost Israeli opposition to the US peace plan ahead of the March 2 Knesset elections. Palestine
Can Istanbul's mayor forge tourism as a tool for democracy? Tourism is providing a test case of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu’s advocacy of “local participatory democracy," prompting a struggle with the government in Ankara over prominent landmarks in his city. Turkey
Al-Azhar’s imam faces hostile media campaign Al-Azhar Grand Imam Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb is facing a campaign of persecution and media blockade in an attempt by the state to push him to renege on his positions. Egypt
Art, culture victims of Lebanon's economic crisis Lebanon’s cultural organizations, which have long been regional models, struggle to keep their heads above water as economic and political crises deepen. Lebanon
Can YouTubers give kiss of life to Egyptian cinema? The casting of a popular YouTube prankster in the title role of the Egyptian remake of "Joker" has started a debate on the future of the Egyptian cinema sector. Egypt
What is wrong with Israel’s policy toward Gaza? Lacking any real policy on the Gaza Strip, Israel keeps imposing and then easing restrictions on the suffering of Gaza residents. Palestine
Netanyahu’s mudslinging strategy working, increases his popularity Strangely, the Fifth Dimension company scandal pops out just a week ahead of the elections, and to the great satisfaction of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his associates. Israel
Why is the steel industry in Egypt declining? Egypt's steel industry has generally been lowering prices as a result of an oversupply in inventories and lower raw material prices just as a new steel factory comes online. Egypt
Russia lends Egypt $25 billion for Dabaa nuclear power plant Experts warn that all safety and security precautions must be taken before the Dabaa nuclear plant in Marsa Matrouh is established, and they fear the impact of the massive Russian loan of $25 billion on the rise of Egypt's external debt. Egypt
The urgent conversation Trump, Putin need to have about Syria As Idlib refugee crisis grows, US risks superpower confrontation over missiles. Syria
How Turkey’s anti-Gulen lobbyist risks Washington’s ire with Venezuela contract Amsterdam and Partners has picked up the Maduro government account after Foley & Lardner dropped it amid political blowback. Turkey
Turkey asks US for missile defense amid Syria standoff Turkey has asked the United States to deploy Patriot batteries to its southern border, a US official told Al-Monitor. Syria
