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
Emirati official says Gulf states to work on trade with Qatar before resuming diplomatic ties UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash's comments indicate that healing the Gulf rift may still take more time. Gulf
Gulf countries end feud, but Saudi cleric who urged detente still in jail Salman Aloudah's son says it's ironic that Saudi Arabia is hailing the end of the Gulf rift but silencing a prominent voice who called on the neighbors to mend ties. Saudi Arabia
Israeli missiles hit Syria for second week in a row Israel reportedly struck targets in southern Syria on Wednesday. This follows suspected Israeli airstrikes on the Syrian military in late December and November. Syria
Oil prices at highest since February 2020 following Saudi output cut Oil producers are concerned that the continued COVID-19 pandemic could hurt demand. Gulf
Turkey awash with schadenfreude over Capitol takeover A large number of Turks feel deep animosity toward the United States, and as sense of just desserts prevails as the world reels from yesterday's rioting in the Capitol. Turkey
Rights group urges Libya's GNA to investigate 338 missing in Tarhuna Human Rights Watch called on the Tripoli-based government to probe disappearances linked to the Kaniyat militia. Libya
US collects $7 million in Iranian assets amid pursuit of 'complex international conspiracy' The funds are just a piece of a larger investigation that includes up to a billion dollars worth of Iranian assets. Originals
Lebanon returns to lockdown as virus cases spike The lockdown, which runs through Feb. 1, mandates an overnight curfew and the closure of most businesses. Lebanon
Israel side-eyes Turkish offers of friendship as Ankara shelters Hamas Turkey’s overtures to Israel have been greeted with bemusement and contempt while hundreds of Hamas operatives remain in Istanbul. Israel
Iraqi judge issues arrest warrant for Donald Trump over Soleimani killing The charge of premeditated murder carries a death sentence under Iraqi law but is not likely to be enforced. Iraq
Turkey’s political divide spills over to treatment of critically ill infants Children suffering from a deadly neuromuscular disorder have found themselves at the heart of political polarization in Turkey after the opposition called for extra funds for their ultra-expensive treatment. Turkey
Iran president: US Capitol storming shows Western democracy 'fragile' President Hassan Rouhani also said that “those who in two weeks will have power in the White House must return America, which is a great nation, to its rightful place.” Iran
