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
Intel: What's next for US-Iran tensions after drone downing Tensions between the United States and Iran escalated further as both sides confirmed that Iran shot down a US military drone today. United States
Iran's 'throw money' economic strategy failing Among its many other problems, Iran's economy is suffering because of poor and brash decisions of the past and needs to get back to the basics. Iran
IRGC: Drone downing 'message’ against foreign invasion Iran claims that the US drone it shot down was flying over Iranian territory when hit by a surface-to-air missile. United States
How Palestinians reacted to Morsi’s death The Palestinian Authority has reportedly banned Palestinians from opening sites to mourn former Egyptian President and Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohammed Morsi out of fear of affecting the PA’s relations with the current Egyptian regime. Palestine
Turkey’s car-making sector sputters amid economic downturn Turkey’s automotive sector, which holds a 1.5% share in global automotive production, is struggling on an uphill track, hit by domestic economic woes and unfavorable external factors. Turkey
Netanyahu adds radical-right politician to Security Cabinet On the backdrop of tensions in Gaza, the decision of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to include Knesset member Bezalel Smotrich in the Security Cabinet could turn into a disaster. Palestine
New Pentagon chief faces first test with Iran Army Secretary Mark Esper is set to take the helm as the Pentagon’s newest acting chief, but comes to the job with limited Middle East experience. United States
Jordanian censors try to put 'Jinn' back in the bottle "Jinn," a youth drama that takes place in a private high school in Jordan, has opened a Pandora's box on morals and censorship. Jordan
Intel: How Democrats are using John Bolton’s Iraq War baggage to push back on Trump’s Iran policy National security adviser John Bolton wasn’t on Capitol Hill today, but he still took center stage as Democrats grilled State Department Iran coordinator Brian Hook on the Donald Trump administration’s maximum pressure policy. United States
Intel: Latest UN Khashoggi report could up pressure on Saudis Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman’s efforts to distance himself from the gruesome murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the kingdom’s consulate in Istanbul have suffered a major setback at the United Nations. Saudi Arabia
Israelis prefer a unity government, without the ultra-Orthodox A recent survey revealed that most Israeli voters prefer a national unity government of the Likud and Blue and White and without the ultra-Orthodox and religious coercion. Israel
AKP looks to elbow Saadet out of Istanbul race As Istanbul’s second municipal election nears, the ruling party is pressuring another Islamist party to bow out and courting Kurdish voters. Turkey
