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
Intel: Saudi court hands out death sentences in Khashoggi killing A Saudi court handed down death sentences today to five people linked to the 2018 slaying of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, while others will serve long jail sentences or be acquitted. Saudi Arabia
Budget plan reveals Iran’s shifting priorities in foreign policy Iran’s proposed budget for next year, in the face of a shrinking economy, reflects its Foreign Ministry’s diminished role in critical political and economic aspects of foreign policy. Iran
Egypt’s military adds new factory to industrial portfolio Egypt’s military signed a deal with a Chinese company to establish a car tire factory, further tightening its grip over the country's industrial sectors. Egypt
For many Gazans, it's another Christmas barred from Bethlehem While most of Gaza's Christians submitted requests to celebrate Christmas in Bethlehem, only a small number were granted access by Israel. Palestine
Russia weighs two reconstruction strategies for Syria In the face of US sanctions, Moscow is considering whether the outsourcing of reconstruction efforts for Syria may be better for Russia than a long-term presence. Syria
How will America’s Caesar Act impact Lebanon? The Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, which the US president signed into law recently, sends a clear message to the Syrian government’s political and economic backers in Lebanon, but analysts say its impact may be less forceful. Originals
Gazans lay out new strategy for return marches Palestinians resumed the marches of return on the Israel-Gaza border after they were halted for weeks. Palestine
Cairo gallery ends decade on a funny note A gallery in Cairo is exhibiting 220 cartoons that illustrate what has made Egyptians laugh over the past 100 or so years. Egypt
Novy God holiday enchants Israelis with Soviet new year festivities After years of misunderstanding and rejection of the Soviet holiday, Novy God has become as Israeli as any other of the beloved traditions brought to the country by waves immigrants. Israel
Netanyahu panics, slams ICC prosecutor Faced with the International Criminal Court's decision to investigate Israel’s behavior in Palestinian territories, Israel has few tools other than hollow and abusive comments about the prosecutor. Palestine
Sell-off in Oman reveals privatization with regional characteristics Some Middle East countries in need of cash, such as Oman, are selling assets to Chinese and Malaysian state-owned entities. Oman
Secular Shiism on rise in Shiite Crescent The Shiite Crescent, a fertile area for rising political Shiism in recent decades, is now witnessing the rise of new, secular Shiism. Iraq
