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
Iraq is planning to host Gulf Cup soccer tournament Adnan Dirjal, Iraq's minister of youth and sports, has gotten the ministry to promote health and fitness and is spearheading the nation's bid to host the 25th Arab Gulf Cup in Basra. Iraq
Israeli military draws up new plans against Iran, top commander says IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi said attack plans should be "on the table" given Iran's recent violations of the nuclear accord. Israel
Emirati activist held under 'abhorrent' conditions, rights group says Since his arrest in 2017, Ahmed Mansoor has been held in solitary confinement without access to basic necessities, Human Rights Watch said. United Arab Emirates
COVID-19 pandemic expands poverty in Turkey Charity workers say poverty in Turkey has reached unprecedented proportions amid the COVID-19 pandemic, as the government lacks the means to offer meaningful relief. Turkey
Netanyahu hopes for Moroccan royal visit in Israel before March elections For Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a visit to Israel by Morocco’s King Mohammed VI could generate great support amid Israeli voters of Moroccan origin in the upcoming March 23 elections. Israel
Egypt agrees to help Iraq recover looted antiquities The Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities announced its readiness to cooperate with Iraq in recovering its stolen and looted antiquities, especially from Turkey, where the looted Iraqi artifacts are displayed in museums. Egypt
Campaign trash makes statement on waste, politics in Amman exhibit Local and international artists and environmental activists created an exhibition of art made primarily of discarded placards from Jordan’s parliamentary elections last year to address political apathy and the growing environmental crisis facing the kingdom. Jordan
Emirati investors highly interested in Israeli high-tech, agro-tech According to estimates, $1 billion in investments between Israel and the United Arab Emirates were made in the last two months of 2020. United Arab Emirates
Thefts on rise in Idlib amid rising poverty Hardly a day goes by in Idlib areas without a civilian being robbed of a car, motorcycle or other property, triggering yet more fears and concerns for residents. Syria
Russia uses regime-SDF tensions to expand presence in northeast Syria Syrian Democratic Forces continue to besiege the Syrian regime in Hasakah province in northeastern Syria, amid fears of an escalation between the two parties. Syria
Polls show surprising support for Jewish parties among Arab voters In the unlikely event that the Joint List splits up, many disappointed Arab voters would turn to Jewish parties rather than the coalition's Arab components. Israel
Iranian-American sentenced to prison, allegedly without a trial Iran has imprisoned a number of dual citizens of the United States and European countries on disputed charges. United States
