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
Turkey faces uphill battle to improve image after Syria operation The Turkish president is maintaining his hard line, which indicates that Ankara’s ties with the international community will remain strained. Syria
Latest Israel-Jordan crisis: One too many? After 25 years of a cold but stable peace, should Israel stop taking for granted its relations with Jordan and start to invest real effort and resources into it? Israel
Israel’s culture minister offers settlers own propaganda film fund The new initiative of Culture Minister Miri Regev for the establishment of three film funds hides her true purpose — to offer the settlers their own propaganda film fund. Israel
Why is Israel after Adnan Ghaith? Israel continues to target Adnan Ghaith, the Palestinian Authority’s representative in Jerusalem, for arrest and bans, claiming that his activities in East Jerusalem undermine Israeli authority over the city, while Palestinians see the Israeli actions as an attempt to eliminate the Palestinian presence there. Palestine
Egypt emphasizing education on fourth-generation warfare Egyptian authorities are raising awareness of the dangers and impact of fourth-generation warfare on national security, and the importance of teaching people not to believe everything they hear. Egypt
Palestinian elections look increasingly feasible The Palestinian president’s call for general elections appears to have gained traction in Palestine, but many obstacles remain. Palestine
US approves financial aid for White Helmets mission in Syria The United States is providing $4.5 million in aid to the Syria Civil Defense in opposition-held areas to support the group's role in helping victims and their families. Syria
Shiite protesters get broad backing throughout Iraq Though the majority of Iraqis currently protesting are Shiite, many other groups are supporting and participating in the massive demonstrations. Iraq
Tulsi Gabbard lays groundwork to force divisive vote on Syria withdrawal Presidential hopeful Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, could trigger a House vote forcing President Donald Trump to withdraw US troops from Syria — but it’s dividing the anti-war movement. Syria
Iran's Rouhani offers to talk with Saudi, Bahraini leaders Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has sent letters to the kings of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain in what is viewed as a step toward de-escalating regional tensions. Saudi Arabia
Ankara faces hostility in north Syria as Turkish-Russian patrols continue Crowds threw stones and eggs at Turkish-Russian convoys as they entered the predominantly Kurdish town of Kobani in northern Syria. Syria
Pressure increases on Israel's attorney general over case against Netanyahu As tensions heighten with Israel's attorney general getting closer to deciding whether to indict Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, some Netanyahu supporters are crying foul over police tactics during the interrogation of Nir Hefetz, a key witness, and claim that as a result of them the most serious charges against the prime minister should be dropped. Israel
