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
Iran should take up Trump’s offer to talk If not directly, at first, then there might be a channel through trusted partners. Oman
Has Russia begun to play a role in Iraq? Russia seeks a presence in Iraq similar to its presence in Syria but through Russian companies and economic, industrial and commercial agreements signed between the two countries. Iraq
Turkey grapples with big trade deficit with China Amid Washington’s trade war on China, Ankara is also grumbling about a massive trade gap with Beijing, but a number of factors stand in Turkey's way to resolve the deficit. Turkey
Failed Yemeni talks shatter hopes of Yemenis' financial recovery Residents of Houthi-controlled Sanaa pinned their hopes on a recent meeting between Yemen’s warring sides to solve economic crises as the country’s Central Bank remains divided, but no solution was found and differences remain. Saudi Arabia
Idlib offensive tests strength of Russia-Turkey ties in Syria Russia is tiring of Ankara's balancing act between Washington and Moscow, and Turkey's less-than-successful actions in Syria. Syria
Israeli legal experts join Druze against Nationality Law A group of Israeli legal experts have drafted an amendment to the Nationality Law to codify equality for all citizens. Israel
Can doing nothing bring down Netanyahu? With the days allotted by law for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to form a new government soon to expire, some of his potential partners have adopted a tactic that could mean his political end.. Israel
Activists fear security backlash following controversial Cabinet reshuffle Almost a week after King Abdullah appointed a new General Intelligence Department chief and asked him to deal effectively with anyone who tampers with constitutional foundations, Prime Minister Omar Razzaz reshuffled his Cabinet and appointed a conservative minister of interior, which could signal a return to tough handling of protesters and activists. Jordan
Gaza soda bottler opens West Bank site to deal with siege Pepsi Palestine, based in the Gaza Strip, has opened a new branch in the West Bank in light of the Gaza siege and Israeli restrictions, and some analysts fear such action could contribute to the collapse of the already-fragile economy in Gaza. Palestine
UN demands release of UN expert from ‘illegal detention’ in Tunisia UN expert Moncef Kartas, who is being detained in Tunisia, was charged with treason and espionage and could face the death sentence if found guilty, prompting the UN to call for his release. Tunisia
Why Netanyahu's so quiet on US-Iran conflict Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is being cautious about engaging Israel in the US-Iran tensions, though he would surely not object to an American attack on Iran. Israel
Intel: How Jamal Khashoggi’s fiancee is keeping the pressure on Saudi Arabia Jamal Khashoggi’s fiancee is determined to keep his legacy alive and well — and that starts with making sure Washington holds Saudi Arabia accountable for killing him. Saudi Arabia
