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
Syrian crisis dictates peace between Damascus and Ankara The Russian side is said to be developing two strategies to thwart Turkey’s possible objections to cultural autonomy for Syrian Kurds. Syria
Pentagon: 34 US troops injured in Iranian strike Dozens of US troops have left Ain al-Asad air base for medical evaluation following Iran's missile strikes earlier this month, despite the US administration claiming earlier that no service members had been injured. Iraq
Both sides silent as military escalation continues east of Sanaa Both Yemen's government forces and the Houthi rebels have remained silent regarding the ongoing battles in Nahm district, east of the capital, Sanaa, but have accused each other of instigating attacks. Yemen
Hamas resumes explosive-laden balloons launched at Israel Hamas has resumed incendiary balloons flown across the border to pressure Israel to execute the truce understandings after a month of calm since Hamas halted its weekly protests along the Israeli-Gaza border. Palestine
As Iraq's protests continue, is political solution on the horizon? As the Iraqi government feels the pressure of protests, political leaders are moving toward forming a national front to resolve the Iraqi crisis. Iraq
Cairo's streets silent on 9th anniversary of revolution Egyptian security forces closed down cafes, searched citizens and went through their phones ahead of the anniversary of the January 25 Revolution. Egypt
US Syria envoy: Any talks on troop withdrawal from Iraq must include all aid US envoy James Jeffrey says the United States wants to see its operations against the Islamic State in Iraq — which have been paused as US and coalition troops focus on protecting themselves in the wake of an escalation between US forces and Iranian-backed groups — resume as soon as possible. Iraq
Thousands flee Russian, Syrian bombs for Turkish border Turkey fears another humanitarian disaster on its doorstep in Syria as Russia and Syria bomb civilian targets in their push to retake the country’s last rebel stronghold. Syria
Iran says plane crash investigation will be made public Iran’s defense minister said the investigation into the Ukraine plane shooting is ongoing but will be made public. Iraq
Interview SDF commander says Kurds ready for dialogue if Ankara is sincere In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor in northeast Syria, Gen. Mazlum Kobane speaks on a range of issues including prospects for reviving dialogue with Turkey, US President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw US troops from Syria and the impact of Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani's killing in Iraq. Mazlum Kobane SDF commander in chief
Pentagon steers away from brain trauma diagnoses after Iranian strike Donald Trump downplayed the injuries of US troops stemming from an Iranian missile strike. Iraq
Intel: Iraq bank set to halt Iran gas transfers as US sanctions waiver expires The Trade Bank of Iraq is expected to stop processing payments to Iran if US sanction exemptions expire next month. Iraq
