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
The 'Bennett and Shaked' brand: Israel's political stars fall to earth Naftali Bennett and Ayelet Shaked thought their New Right party would further their already substantial political success, but instead they find themselves in "total shock" over not surpassing the Knesset vote threshold. Israel
Israel's traditional costumes display diversity From the many Jewish costumes that arrived to Israel, the ones still worn most are those of wedding ceremonies. Israel
As Turkey drifts away from the US, will Russia give it what it wants? Both Turkish and Russian analysts believe Putin has been successful in using President Erdogan to drive a wedge between NATO members. Turkey
Palestinians have little leverage against Israeli annexation Amid Benjamin Netanyahu’s election victory and their deeply entrenched divisions, the Palestinians seem to have little chance to stand firm in the face of Israeli plans to annex parts of the West Bank. Palestine
Palestinians fear nothing will stop Israel’s annexation of West Bank Following the Israeli prime minister's vow to annex West Bank settlements, Palestinians say moves to claim their land have long been a grim reality, even before the electoral promises. Palestine
How Ankara’s anti-West attitude plays into Western hands The Erdogan government is more determined than ever to purchase the S-400 missile systems from Russia, further eroding Turkey's standing as a Western ally. Turkey
Egypt presses ahead with nuclear power Egypt's al-Dabaa site in the northern Marsa Matrouh governorate has won permits to begin construction for the country's first nuclear power station. Egypt
Banking on higher reserves, Egypt’s gas grid expands Egypt’s National Gas Grid is growing thanks to new natural gas discoveries. Egypt
Astronomy spreading among Palestinian youth NOVA for Astronomy and Space Science is helping Palestinian universities establish astronomy clubs, to increase the knowledge in astronomy among students and the public. Palestine
Russia sees silver lining in Trump’s IRGC terror designation Moscow expects little immediate fallout from the US designation for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, but is worried about its long-term consequences even as it benefits from some angles. Russia
Grass-roots group seeks to defeat Egyptian amendments As Egyptians head to the polls for the final day of voting on constitutional amendments that would grant President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi more power and lengthen his term, opponents have been campaigning against them despite government oppression. Egypt
Digital Netanyahu gets supports of young Israelis Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is often compared to President Donald Trump, but contrary to the American leader, Netanyahu enjoys large support among the youth. Israel
