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
Israel blames Iran for Mediterranean oil spill The Israeli government has not explained some key details surrounding the incident and Iran has yet to comment. The spill blackened the shoreline in Israel and Lebanon last month. Israel
The Takeaway: Iran looms over Israel’s March 23 elections For Bibi, it’s the gift that keeps on giving as the Arab coalition splinters; Turkish protesters want an invite to Clubhouse; Erdogan quiet on Khashoggi report; the battle over Mosul; our take on Iran’s ground game; and more! Originals
New Kuwaiti Cabinet takes office after dispute with parliament The government will be tasked with tending to the country's financial difficulties and the pandemic following a dispute between the prime minister and parliament. Originals
Report says US officials met with Yemen’s Houthis in bid to end war Timothy Lenderking sat down with the Houthis' lead negotiator late last month. Saudi Arabia
Israeli leaders unite in slamming ICC prosecutor Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Reuven Rivlin harshly condemned the decision by International Criminal Court prosecutor Fatou Bensouda to investigate Israel for alleged war crimes. Israel
Turkish inflation rises, raising expectations of further rate hikes Turkey’s inflation rate rose to 15.61% in February, marking the fifth month of consecutive increases and raising expectations for the central bank to introduce further rate hikes. Turkey
Israeli ship sailing again following explosion MV Helios Ray was off the coast of Oman on Wednesday. Israel blamed last week's explosion aboard the ship on Iran, which Iran denied. Israel
American dies of ‘cardiac episode’ after rocket attack on Iraq air base Rocket strikes resume after Biden authorized retaliation on pro-Iran militia in Syria last week Iraq
Rights group accuses Palestinian Authority of vaccine corruption The Ramallah-based Independent Commission for Human Rights said the Palestinian Authority is giving out vaccine doses based on personal relationships and not medical need. Palestine
Saudi Arabia to require COVID-19 vaccine for this year's hajj The Saudi government is mandating pilgrims be vaccinated but hasn't yet said whether attendance will be limited. Saudi Arabia
Iran criticizes IAEA censure from European countries Iran says the plan by some European countries to censure Iran at the IAEA will have a negative effect on nuclear negotiations. Iran
Israel, Emirates strive for warm, vibrant, profitable peace Since the signing of the Abraham Accords, Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain multiply contacts for joint ventures and mutual investments. Israel
