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
Why Russia isn't bothered by US-Turkey agreement on Syria Russia, which has been conducting its own whirlwind diplomacy this week, wasn't disturbed by the US-Turkey deal over northern Syria. Legacy: Gulf
Pakistan hopes to ease hostility between Iran, Saudis Traveling between Riyadh and Tehran, Pakistan’s prime minister is trying to diplomatically defuse the highly charged situation in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia
Behind Egypt's gift to Islamic Jihad Egypt has freed some 80 Islamic Jihad prisoners as a goodwill gesture in an effort to bring about an extended calm in Gaza and by extension prevent a conflagration in the Sinai Peninsula. Palestine
Turkey violates deal to pause Syrian fighting, officials say Shortly after Vice President Mike Pence and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan struck a deal to allow the Kurdish People’s Protection Units to evacuate the northern Syrian battlefield, Turkey continued its offensive into northern Syria early today. Syria
Syrian opposition ready to resume fighting if YPG stays in safe zone The Syrian National Army’s main goal behind its participation in Operation Peace Spring is to get rid of the Kurdish-dominated People’s Protection Units and the Democratic Union Party. Syria
Civil society activists and journalists leave Baghdad in fear of being arrested In the wake of protests, civil society activists and journalists are leaving Baghdad after hearing the Iraqi government is preparing to arrest them. Iraq
PA seeks warmer ties with Saudi Arabia Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas visited Saudi Arabia for the first time in months, reflecting warmer relations between the two countries. Saudi Arabia
Palestinian prime minister vows to stop Israeli raids A promise by Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh to halt Israel's raids into Area A of the West Bank leaves Palestinians wondering what comes next. Palestine
How much will it cost for Lebanon to reforest after wildfires? Lebanon’s Civil Defense fought, with limited resources, a series of wildfires that ravaged the country. Lebanon
Palestinian government passes law protecting whistleblowers For the first time, the Palestinian government passed a law on the protection of whistleblowers, witnesses and experts in corruption cases, as part of efforts to raise awareness against corruption. Palestine
Violence escalates in Sinai Terrorist groups in North Sinai continue to launch attacks against government forces while Egypt's wide-scale anti-terror operation drags on. Egypt
Clay chairs, edible statues make Jordan's design week one to remember Experimental projects abounded at Amman Design Week. Jordan
