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
Are Russia, Turkey entering last act of Idlib fight? Following the Russia-brokered Syria-Turkey talks in Moscow, hostilities over Idlib may be turning to their last phase, but it's unlikely to be peaceful. Syria
Intel: How Democratic lawmakers are trying to get ahead of Trump’s Mideast peace plan As President Donald Trump met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Blue and White opposition leader Benny Gantz to discuss the imminent release of his Israeli-Palestinian peace plan, pro-Israel Democrats signified reservations about the White House’s long-awaited proposal. Palestine
Turkey rescues dozens after powerful quake kills 41 After a deadly tremor struck Turkey's east, rescue teams worked around the clock to save dozens from a disaster that sparked both an outpouring of support and fears about the country's unpreparedness for such events. Turkey
Ex-Foreign Affairs chairwoman Ros-Lehtinen embraces UAE lobby Ileana Ros-Lehtinen is the only ex-lawmaker currently registered as a foreign agent for the United Arab Emirates. United Arab Emirates
Iran's Zarif under fire for saying he’d negotiate with US Iranian conservatives have attacked Iran’s foreign minister for stating that Iran is open to talks with the United States. United States
Turkish military’s pension fund thrives amid economic crisis The Turkish military’s pension fund, OYAK, has embarked on a major expansion, taking advantage of business opportunities amidst the country’s economic crisis. But how long will Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s acquiescence last? Turkey
Israel’s security system prepares for growing Palestinian frustration Israeli security tops fear that instead of bringing peace, the plan of US President Donald Trump would escalate tensions with Palestinians and bring closer Hamas and Fatah. Palestine
Trump, Netanyahu reset election with annexation surprise The unveiling of President Donald Trump’s 'deal of the century' offers Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu an unprecedented opportunity to secure right-wing votes by announcing that he will annex West Bank settlements. Palestine
Trump’s plan unveiled: Netanyahu's best and worst day ever The 'deal of the century' presented by President Donald Trump is unlikely to bring about Israeli-Palestinian peace but serves first and foremost to boost the electoral fortunes of Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's indicted prime minister. Palestine
What is role of Haraket Hezbollah al-Nujaba in uniting PMU? The assassinations of Soleimani and Muhandis are changing the relative weights of Iraqi factions under the umbrella of the Iran-led "axis of resistance"; Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba is playing a greater role in bridging gaps between rival Shiite actors. Iraq
How an ultra-secularist gained clout in Turkey's Islamist government Dogu Perincek, said to be a pillar of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's recent anti-West policies, has had a long history of controversial alliances and ideologies. Turkey
Syria opens up to Fatah, shuns Hamas Many see the visit by a high-level PLO delegation to Syria as an attempt to thwart any reconciliation between Hamas and Syria. Palestine
