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
Israeli annexation plans endanger ties with Jordan, Egypt Israel’s political right should pay attention to statements made Jordan's King Abdullah, who made it clear that he objects to all annexation plans advanced by the Netanyahu government. Palestine
PMU under pressure to integrate into Iraqi state Following dramatic changes in the leadership of the Popular Mobilization Units, two rockets hit near the US Embassy in Baghdad, signaling discontent with the move. Iraq
Benny Gantz: the lesser of two evils for Palestinians The Joint List’s decision to recommend Blue and White party Leader Benny Gantz as a candidate for prime minister sparked wide controversy both across Palestinian territories and in Israel. Originals
Will Houthis follow up on their threats to hit UAE targets? The Houthis announced a halt in hostilities against Saudi Arabia but said nothing about the United Arab Emirates, raising questions about how serious the group is about carrying out threats to target the UAE. Saudi Arabia
Arab lawmaker says joining coalition would legitimize Israeli occupation The leading elected Palestinian leader in Israel tells Al-Monitor that while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s vicious racism led Arab voters to the polls, the Arab coalition still cannot join a ruling coalition. Palestine
Will new initiative spark interest in ending the Hamas-Fatah schism? Eight Palestinian factions in Gaza have put forward an initiative to end the Palestinian divide ongoing since 2007. Palestine
Arab Knesset members expose Netanyahu’s double game Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outwardly incites against the Arab population while privately asking Arab Knesset members for help when he needs it. Israel
Iranian fishermen feel waves of tension from the US Friction between the West and Iran threatens to rile the waters for fishermen near the Strait of Hormuz. United States
Iran hawks cement ties to former US-designated terrorist group United Against Nuclear Iran's CEO embraces the MEK as his group prepared to host Pompeo. United States
Could Israel’s president prevent third elections in a year? With Avigdor Liberman insisting on a unity government, Blue and White rejecting a government with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Netanyahu’s upcoming pre-indictment hearing, the establishment of a government seems almost impossible. Israel
Rouhani dismisses European statement on Iran role in Saudi attacks The Iranian president is in New York with a "peace initiative" meant to resolve regional tensions at a time when pressure is building on Tehran over its alleged involvement in attacks on Saudi oil facilities. Saudi Arabia
Syria panel calls for Trump to halt pullout A bipartisan panel of experts appointed by Congress is calling on President Donald Trump to stop the US pullout from Syria. Syria
