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 to present 'concrete plan of action' for nuclear talks, Zarif says Iran's foreign minister shot down comments by a senior politician who said Tehran would negotiate if the United States promises sanctions relief within a year. United States
Saudi-led coalition downs 6 armed drones launched by Houthis The spate of attacks comes a day after the Houthis claimed a missile attack on a Saudi oil facility in Jeddah. Saudi Arabia
Libyan interim government formation stumbles on bribery allegations Before even taking office, Libya’s interim government could soon be hit with a bribery scandal as the UN experts panel prepares to publish its findings. Libya
Biden administration's textbook approach to Iran may be paying off The United States builds consensus with European Union partners first, while bolstering deterrence; Rezai says Iran willing to talk if US sends 'clear signal' on sanctions; Rouhani’s missing coattails in Iran’s June elections. United States
Egypt, Sudan call for Ethiopia to accept international mediation over Nile Dam Egypt and Sudan demanded that Ethiopia returns to the Grand Ethiopean Renaissance Dam negotiations, through international quartet mediation, but Addis Ababa refuses to internationalize the crisis. Egypt
Netanyahu gambles political fate on reopening Israel Fighting for his political life after three inconclusive elections, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu knows that the pandemic will determine his fate on March 23. Israel
Is Turkey challenging Egyptian influence in Guinea-Bissau? Amid regional warnings of Turkey's growing role in West Africa, including Guinea-Bissau, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi received a call from Umaro Sissoco Embalo, president of Guinea-Bissau, to discuss ways to develop cooperation in the economic and security fields. Egypt
Belgian children and some women to be repatriated from IS camp in Syria. The Belgian prime minister said the children in the notorious al-Hol camp could become “the terrorists of tomorrow.” Women will be repatriated on a case-by-case basis. Syria
Republicans challenge Biden's Pentagon policy nominee on Iran Colin Kahl said he supports the Abraham Accords and continued pressure on Tehran. Saudi Arabia
US hopes for ‘progress’ with Iran after European powers dial back pressure Britain, France and Germany decided not to move forward with a plan to censure Iran during the UN nuclear watchdog agency's quarterly meeting. Iran
Freedom House: Syria, Western Sahara worst in world for political rights The think tank also downgraded Jordan to "not free" in its 2021 democracy rankings. Jordan
Iran shuts down relief group fighting children’s poverty Iranian activists are outraged by the Islamic Republic’s decision to ban a charity foundation known for its criticism of the Islamic Republic and its independent mission toward eradicating poverty among children. Iran
