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
Will Arbaeen observance bring peace or protests in Iraq? As the Arbaeen pilgrimage is about to start in Iraq, authorities fear demonstrators will launch new protests. Iraq
In Riyadh, Putin receives czar-like reception Russia and Saudi Arabia sign a dozen business deals but it is unclear whether Syria disagreements were resolved. Saudi Arabia
Egypt, Palestine make plans to boost economic ties A Palestinian delegation to Egypt discussed ways to boost cooperation in the fields of oil, economy and trade as Palestinians work to sever economic ties with Israel. Palestine
Kais Saied faces fractured political landscape in Tunisia after win Conservative Kais Saeid has won a landslide victory in Tunisia’s second round of the presidential elections. Tunisia
Is Turkey able to handle influx of Islamic State prisoners? Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey can take custody of Islamic State prisoners at a time when every other country avoids the repatriation of their own citizens. But there are serious questions as to whether Turkey can handle the situation. Iraq
Trump announces sanctions against Turkey The Treasury Department sanctions Turkey's defense, energy, and interior ministers over Turkey's incursion into northern Syria. Syria
Pentagon insists US troops have the ability to defend themselves amid pullout Top military officials say US troops departing northern Syria have the ability to defend themselves and adjust to a fluid situation. Syria
Translation project offers Israelis look into Palestinian literature Translation into Hebrew of Palestinian and Arab novels and short stories opens a literary window for Israeli readers. Palestine
Civilian casualties mount as Turkish offensive pounds Syrian border Local organizations and private citizens are scrambling to care for the wounded and provide for the displaced as Turkish strikes reduce homes to rubble. Syria
Palestinians sign agreements with Egypt in step toward financial freedom from Israel Palestinian delegations are making the rounds seeking help from countries in the region as Palestine seeks to economically disengage from the Israel, most recently visiting Egypt. Palestine
After Syria incursion, White House mulls sanctions on Erdogan Washington is reportedly considering sanctions on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan over Turkey’s military incursion into northern Syria, with enormous implications for the two allies' long strategic partnership. Syria
Sistani calls for justice as Iraqi protesters bleed Iraq's top Shiite cleric Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani condemned the government for the bloodshed in the recent protests, supporting the protesters' demands. Iraq
