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
Russia’s 'leading from behind' strategy on Libya Russia’s Libya policy is less about Libya and more about Europe, hence Moscow’s preference to let the Europeans take the public lead on the conflict. Syria
Algeria strives to regain prominence as world powers debate Libya's future Despite Algeria's best efforts, nine years of conflict in neighboring Libya have essentially brought an international proxy war to Algiers' doorstep. United Arab Emirates
What reopening the Eliyahu Hanavi Synagogue means for Egypt There are hardly enough Jews in Alexandria to form a quorum to hold prayers, making the renovation and reopening of the oldest synagogue in Egypt all the more meaningful to the country's Jewish community. Egypt
Egypt advises Iraq to expel US, other forces in bid for stability Egypt is recommending that Baghdad expel all foreign forces, including those of the United States, from Iraqi territory following the US drone strike that killed Iran’s top Quds Force commander, Qasem Soleimani, at the Baghdad airport. Egypt
Why Egypt is amending its terrorism law Draft law amendments have been approved in order to effectively counter terrorism and terrorism financing in Egypt, but opponents argue the measures are unconstitutional. Originals
Palestinian activists seek climate justice under occupation Although climate change is affecting the whole region, it seems Palestine is more vulnerable due to the political situation and Israeli policies against the Palestinians. Palestine
Iraqi minorities concerned about possible US troop withdrawal Iraqi minorities are afraid that rising tensions between Iran and the United States might end the US troop presence in the country. Iraq
Turkey’s Libya strategy: cure has become worse than disease The only positive outcome of Turkey’s "tension strategy" on Libya has been paving the way for the Berlin Libya conference on Jan. 14. Turkey
Pentagon set to ramp up student vetting after Pensacola shooting Foreign military students in the United States will face new restrictions after the shooting at a Florida naval base in December. Saudi Arabia
Israeli right-wing once again putty in Netanyahu's hands Instead of heading a secular-religious list and attracting moderate right-wing voters, New Right leader Naftali Bennett finds himself at the head of a party that includes right-wing extremists. Israel
Who is Israel commemorating at Holocaust remembrance event? Israeli and Jewish politicians and wheeler-dealers are turning Holocaust remembrance events into a political mingling arena. Israel
Netanyahu’s paranoia on national-religious politicians Now that the national-religious parties are united, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can move to the second phase of his plan, namely trying to steal their votes in favor of his own Likud. Israel
