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
Meet Iran’s next potential Ahmadinejad Given the Iranian public’s disappointment with both Reformists and conservatives, the potential for the rise of yet another populist hard-liner is growing ever more real. Iran
Iranians enraged by Rouhani's no-show in flood-stricken areas President Hassan Rouhani is under fire for failing to visit areas hit hard by deadly floods that have marred Nowruz vacations for many Iranians. Iran
Syrian Kurds remain wary of US plan for Turkish safe zone While the United States is pushing for a safe zone along the Turkish border in Syria to protect both sides, analysts warn that meeting their conflicting needs may prove impossible. Syria
Iraq tells Mideast leaders Baghdad will take no sides Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi has been busy meeting with regional leaders to expand Iraq's economic ties and promote an impartial political role in the Arab World. Iraq
Is Egypt tightening its grip on the media? Egypt’s Supreme Council for Media Regulation is using new bylaws to block and fine a website it claims engaged in defamation, but journalists worry the media watchdog may be going too far to limit their freedom to work in the country. Egypt
Israeli guards crack down as Palestinian prisoners rebel Palestinians reject new measures taken against them in Israeli prisons, most notably the installation of electronic jamming devices suspected of causing cancer. Palestine
Netflix shakes up Egyptian film, TV industry A year after "The Secret of Nile" became the first Egyptian series on Netflix, more Egyptian productions are finding their way to the streaming service. Egypt
Escalation on Gaza border: Hamas dominated by military branch The rockets fired against Israel on Monday, just days after rockets were fired on Tel Aviv, prove that Hamas' claim of “a mistake” is false and that it indeed intended to launch the rockets. Palestine
New heights of irresponsibility over the Golan President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu do not care that recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights could destroy all chances for peace between Israel and the Arab world. Palestine
Interview Qatar says divisions within GCC have become ‘lose-lose’ situation for the region Qatari spokesperson says the split among the Gulf states compromises the security of the region and that thousands of families are already paying a price.
AIPAC waters down anti-BDS push on Capitol Hill amid Democratic row With Democrats controlling the House, AIPAC is diluting its congressional push for anti-boycott legislation. Palestine
