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
Trump defender Dershowitz signs on as lobbyist for Israeli billionaire accused of looting Africa The civil liberties lawyer is close to both US and Israeli leaders. Israel
As Iraq’s demonstrations continue, what comes next? Iraq's demonstrations are important and outside actors should pay heed and do what they can to help prevent a catastrophic outcome. Iraq
Iran's commercial code reform invites turmoil The Iranian parliament's rush job on approving hundreds of articles of a bill designed to reform the commercial code will lead to unconsidered consequences. Iran
Oman’s national unity racks up high cultural costs as local languages fall silent Oman's rich linguistic diversity is dwindling after fifty years of domination by Arabic as the language of education, trade and official correspondence. Oman
Is the PKK worried by the YPG's growing popularity? The PKK, known for its hierarchical nature and its discipline, may be displeased by the growing global visibility of the Syrian YPG. Syria
How this solar energy project will meet Palestinians’ electricity needs The Palestine Investment Fund is carrying out a project to build solar energy power stations in the Palestinian territories in order to meet electricity needs. Palestine
Is Iran’s honeymoon in Iraq over? Protesters in Iraq are directing their wrath toward Iranian influence in their country. Iraq
Are silk and saffron the future of this Anatolian town? The first female mayor of Safranbolu, a town dating to the 11th century, is eager to put her UNESCO-protected city on Turkey's tourism map. Turkey
A very long engagement, Yemeni-style A young medical student in Yemen is using social media to force the release of her fiance detained three years ago. Yemen
Residents returning to Tell Abyad after Turkish-FSA invasion Life is gradually returning to Tell Abyad after the Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army took control of the city from Kurdish forces. Syria
The UAE still has military ambitions in Yemen despite ‘withdrawal’ The United Arab Emirates seems to be staging a withdrawal from Yemen’s southern city of Aden while increasing its influence elsewhere in the southern provinces. Saudi Arabia
Will 2020 candidates' calls to condition Israeli military aid spark public debate? The calls of Democrats Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren to condition US security aid to Israel on changes of policy could alienate the Israeli public but could also trigger a useful public debate and even revingorate Israel's security industry. Palestine
