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
Libyan Jews' potential return sends out political shockwaves Some members of the Libyan parliament and public vocally oppose the idea of Jews returning or participating in the country's peace process. Libya
Hebrew University offers credits to volunteers in right-wing lobbying group Lecturers have a hard time understanding the decision by Hebrew University to offer credit points for students volunteering in the right-wing lobbying group Im Tirtzu. Israel
Trump-linked lobbyist turns from Gulf Arabs to more toxic clients Robert Stryk’s Sonoran Policy Group is hemorrhaging both clients and employees. Saudi Arabia
Report: Yemen’s Houthis now sporting deadlier drones Yemen's Houthis are using newer and deadlier drone models that discharge explosives and shrapnel, according to a report. Yemen
Turkey orders continued detention of philanthropist Kavala following acquittal A Turkish court has acquitted philanthropist Osman Kavala and eight others of seeking to overthrow the government, but Istanbul’s chief prosecutor has ordered his continued detention on charges stemming from a separate case also pertaining to his supposed involvement in the failed 2016 coup. Turkey
Facing trial, Netanyahu left with three options Now that his trial date is set for March 17, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu needs to win the elections and enact a new law that would postpone the trial until the moment he is no longer prime minister. Israel
Khamenei tells Iranians voter turnout a religious duty Iran’s supreme leader has called on the nation to vote in the Feb. 21 general elections to serve both their country and their religion. Iran
Nasiriyah becomes the Iraqi protest capital Nasiriyah has become the new capital of Iraq's protests after Sadrists in Baghdad cracked down on Tahrir Square, which was the center of protests since they began in October 2019. Iraq
Turkey's opposition parties call for dialogue with Assad Turkey's opposition parties have called on the Turkish government to engage in dialogue with Damascus administration to prevent further Turkish casualties in Idlib. Syria
Death on the Nile takes a digital turn Two online platforms help families organize funerals in Egypt. Egypt
Jordan stands firm against Trump deal despite risks to ties There are growing concerns that Jordan’s defiance toward the US peace plan for the Middle East could affect its strategic ties with the United States. Palestine
Why is Turkish Cypriot leader declared ‘enemy’ in Turkey? The leader of the Cypriot Turks angered Ankara in October for criticizing the Turkish incursion into Syria, but all hell has broken loose since he recently said that any move by Turkey to annex Northern Cyprus would be a “horrible” prospect. Turkey
