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
IRGC commander leaves sooner than expected Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has promoted Hossein Salami to serve as commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. United States
Turkish Constitutional Court caught red-handed The European Court of Human Rights has just struck a massive blow to Turkey's Constitutional Court, which is the target of criticisms that it does little to protect human rights. Turkey
How incompetence, sanctions jointly hit Iran’s economy Facing stagflation, the Iranian authorities must shift course and de-politicize economic decisions such as foreign exchange policy and management of the country's money supply. Iran
Can Russia deliver a deal for Idlib between Turkey, Syria? In Idlib, Moscow finds itself between the devil and the deep blue sea — a possible Syrian government offensive and Turkish constraints — but there is still reason to believe it can come up with a mutually acceptable deal for Damascus and Ankara. Syria
Wild plant feeds another thorny conflict between Israel, Palestinians Palestinian foragers are resisting an Israeli law that bans the picking of aqub, a delicacy whose harvest has long sustained local women. Palestine
High cost of death haunts Egyptians The high cost of living in Egypt has extended to dying, and burial has gotten too expensive for the poor. Egypt
Israelis not giving up on moon mission Despite the crash of the Israeli spacecraft Beresheet on the surface of the moon, young Israelis feel inspired. Israel
Israel's new army chief redefines missions, capabilities IDF’s new Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi is now formulating a new multiyear plan that should address threats such as the thousands of rockets fired at Israeli cities. Palestine
Netanyahu trapped between Trump, allies Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu needs his far-right coalition against his impending indictment even more than his friendship with US President Donald Trump. Palestine
Iraq's Qaim border open to nonlocal PMU fighting in Syria Iraqi Shiite Popular Mobilization Units fighting in Syria cross the western Iraqi border with ease. Iraq
Gazan entrepreneur finds hope in hardship The young founder of two innovative projects believes that the Gaza Strip needs entrepreneurs and innovators who fight daily challenges. Palestine
Did female Iranian boxer fight for championship or asylum in France? Boxer Sadaf Khadem made history as the first Iranian woman to win an international match, but her choice to compete without hijab may prevent her from going back home. Iran
