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 revives idea of creating central Sinai province With the goal of developing and advancing central Sinai, Egypt appears headed toward repartitioning the peninsula, a step that some tribes oppose out of fear their families would be divided. Egypt
When will Europe propose genuine peace plan for Israel, Palestinians? If the European Union wants to stay relevant in the Middle East, it must make up its mind over the Trump administration's peace plan and advance with an alternative, viable proposal. Palestine
Recent escalations in Idlib present Russia with tall order As the situation in Idlib heats up, Russian-Turkish "marriage of convenience" gets tested, but it may be too early to call for the divorce. Syria
Did Israel’s Liberman close deal with Netanyahu’s rival? After the March 2 elections, Blue and White leader Benny Gantz will have to make a choice between Avigdor Liberman’s Yisrael Beitenu party and the Arab Joint List. Israel
Syria clashes, Ukraine visit test Turkey-Russia relations Despite their opposing interests, analysts expect continued Ankara-Moscow collaboration following clashes between Turkish troops and Russia-backed Syrian forces. Syria
EU’s top diplomat in Iran to discuss fragile nuclear deal The EU’s foreign policy chief was in Tehran to salvage the crumbling nuclear deal at a time of heightened tensions between Iran and the West. Iran
Intel: Morocco played up Iran rhetoric as it eyed US-Israel deal on Western Sahara Israel, Morocco and the United States have been pursuing back channel negotiations on the disputed Western Sahara for more than a year. Israel
Intel: Turkey’s invasion of northeast Syria spurs Kurdish unity Buckling to popular and US pressure, the main Syrian Kurdish opposition umbrella group known as the Kurdish National Council has agreed to reopen its offices in northeastern Syria. Syria
Israel's Gantz choosing wrong battles against Netanyahu Blue and White leader Benny Gantz should continue focusing his campaign on the charges against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, instead of falling into the trap of a diplomatic battle. Palestine
Netanyahu’s Africa blitz includes photo ops, pleasing US Israeli diplomats fear that the drive for cooperation projects with African countries is being replaced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s desire for photo-ops and by hints that relations with Jerusalem would open the door to Washington. Israel
Will developments in Idlib force Ankara to turn to the West again? Analysts say Turkey and Russia were always on a collision course in Syria due to their radically differing positions. Syria
Egyptian readers mourn ALEF bookstores The ALEF bookstore chain, beloved for its wide selection of books and engaging salespeople, has closed its doors after accusations of links to the Muslim Brotherhood. Egypt
