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
Despite high price of Syrian reconstruction, business, influence opportunities abound Though Syria's blueprint for reconstruction is ambitious, costly and in some ways at odds with Western priorities, there is some cause for optimism in Damascus' marketing of reconstruction opportunities to friendly states. Syria
Libyan court cracks down on Hamas activities Four Palestinians have been hit with significant jail sentences after a military court in Libya declared them guilty of being affiliated with and aiding Hamas. Palestine
Iraqis divided over continued presence of American forces As Islamic State militias have become active again in different areas of Iraq, the debate over ejecting US forces is on the rise among Iraqi politicians. Iraq
Labor Party recalculates strategy ahead of Israeli elections Paradoxically, the threat of the new Blue and White party in Israel has pushed the Labor Party into featuring sharper messages on diplomatic affairs and a clearer agenda. Israel
Israel to withhold PA taxes, quietly ask donors to make up difference Israel intends to cut tax revenues owed to the Palestinian Authority but will need foreign intervention to save the Palestinian Authority from collapse. Qatar
Israeli right stretches moral principles to ally with radical group The electoral alliance between HaBayit HaYehudi and the radical Otzman Yehudit under the prime minister's guidance has outraged moderates on the right and invited accusations of hypocrisy. Israel
Netanyahu’s radical-right alliance rattles AIPAC's allegiance Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu underestimated the objection of the pro-Israeli lobbying group AIPAC to his alliance with the radical-right ahead of elections in Israel. Israel
Academy fights discrimination with art, music in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley Peace of Art, a humanitarian organization and fine arts academy, offers the people of the northern Bekaa Valley an artistic and pacifist outlet in a region plagued by conflict. Lebanon
Idlib’s rebels on alert against infiltration by Islamic State The armed groups controlling Idlib remain wary of the prospect of Islamic State militants sneaking into the region, following reports that IS members are seeking safe passage to the province. Iraq
Intel: Iran’s top diplomat offers resignation after being iced out of Syria talks Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif suddenly resigned Monday in a post on Instagram where he expressed gratitude “to the dear and honorable Iranian people for the last 67 months” while apologizing for “all the shortcomings during my service.” Syria
UAE steps up anti-Turkey efforts in Syria The United Arab Emirates engages Turkey in a war of words and deeds over Ankara's fight with Kurds in Syria. United Arab Emirates
