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
Palestinians hope to import Iraqi oil, become more energy independent Palestinians are inching closer to the possibility of being able to import Iraqi oil to Jordan and have the Jordan refinery convert it to local products that can pass Israeli inspection. Palestine
Will Idlib’s displaced return under government pressure? The Syrian regime is accusing the opposition of preventing the return of the displaced in northern Hama through the recently opened Abu al-Duhur crossing. Syria
Iran enrichment may hit 20% if impasse drags on Iran could be on the way to upgrading its nuclear technology to industrial levels after suspending its nuclear deal obligations for the third time since May. United States
Lost opportunity? Rouhani departs NY without meeting Trump A US-Iran breakthrough seems elusive after attacks on Saudi Arabia. United States
Donor countries stand by UN Palestinian refugee agency despite corruption probe The Trump administration skipped today's pledging conference co-hosted by Jordan and Sweden. Palestine
Iran's supreme leader says it’s time to move on from Europe Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has signaled that there remains no hope in Europe’s ability to save the 2015 nuclear deal. United States
5.8 magnitude earthquake rattles Istanbul An earthquake shook Istanbul today in a powerful reminder of the city's vulnerability to quakes and other natural disasters. Turkey
Why Netanyahu’s hearing should be streamed live Maximum transparency, even such exceptional measures as filming the pre-indictment hearing of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, could help restore trust in the legal system. Israel
Netanyahu holds Israel hostage Blue and White party leaders rejected the proposal made by President Reuven Rivlin for power-sharing, as they do not trust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to keep his part of the deal. Israel
Chinese investment in Iraq provides gains for Baghdad, Beijing Iraqi prime minister trip to China has paved the ground for China to invest in Iraq. Iraq
Is Iran-Turkey rapprochement sustainable? As Turkey and Iran's interests align their cooperation is expanding, but their newfound friendship won't last unless their potential for rivalry is curtailed. Turkey
Kahlon leak closes path around Deduction Law Efforts by Israel and the Palestinians to find solutions for alleviating the economic crisis facing the Palestinian Authority had met with some success, but a recent leak meant the end of the road for much-needed additional measures. Palestine
