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
Iran operating new advanced centrifuges, nuclear watchdog finds According to an International Atomic Energy Agency report, Iran is now using IR-4 centrifuges to enrich uranium in violation of the nuclear accord. Iran
UN says Libya arms embargo 'totally ineffective' A United Nations panel of experts accused several member states, including Turkey and Russia, of fueling the Libyan conflict. Libya
Trump peace plan rollout at White House had Mar-A-Lago feel Trump's peace plan, rolled out with Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu but with no Palestinians present, would give the Palestinians no border with Jordan. Palestine
Intel: Congress piles on the Pentagon over possible North Africa drawdown The leaders of the House and Senate foreign affairs panels today expressed concern over a possible Pentagon plan to draw down US troops in Africa, which could impact plans to fight terror in Tunisia and Morocco. North Africa
Families languish in winter winds, legal limbo at Syria's Islamic State camp Al-Hol, the northeastern Syrian camp that houses thousands of wives and children of Islamic State fighters, is an increasingly desolate and violent place where a looming humanitarian crisis is smothering what hope is left. Syria
Sudanese troops continue exit from war-stricken Yemen Sudan's military contingent in Yemen has been reduced to a symbolic presence as the main players in the Saudi-led coalition scale back their fighting. Saudi Arabia
Are Russia, Turkey entering last act of Idlib fight? Following the Russia-brokered Syria-Turkey talks in Moscow, hostilities over Idlib may be turning to their last phase, but it's unlikely to be peaceful. Syria
Israel’s security system prepares for growing Palestinian frustration Israeli security tops fear that instead of bringing peace, the plan of US President Donald Trump would escalate tensions with Palestinians and bring closer Hamas and Fatah. Palestine
What is role of Haraket Hezbollah al-Nujaba in uniting PMU? The assassinations of Soleimani and Muhandis are changing the relative weights of Iraqi factions under the umbrella of the Iran-led "axis of resistance"; Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba is playing a greater role in bridging gaps between rival Shiite actors. Iraq
How an ultra-secularist gained clout in Turkey's Islamist government Dogu Perincek, said to be a pillar of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's recent anti-West policies, has had a long history of controversial alliances and ideologies. Turkey
Are Saudis readying Yemen's Tareq Saleh for Sanaa battle? The situation in Yemen’s south is volatile and the north is still in the Houthis’ firm grip, so people's curiosity has been raised about the motives behind Brig. Gen. Tareq Saleh's recent trip to Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
Cairo's museum highlights dark history of nation's police force Egypt's National Police Museum in Cairo's Citadel examines the checkered history of an institution once revered for standing up for Egyptians, but in the years since independence has come to be feared and loathed for repression and torture. Egypt
Qaim residents fearful following conflict between US, Iran-backed militias Recent US attacks on positions along the Syrian border held by Iran-linked armed groups — some of whom are on the Iraqi government payroll — have led to insecurity among local residents, who had been seeing improvements in their lives. Iraq
Libya is only small part of Turkey’s ambitious Africa overture Although Turkey’s moves in Libya capture a lot of headlines these days, Ankara has been busy on other fronts in Africa. Egypt
