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
Iran’s next moves depend on US Iran is likely to choose a measured response to US actions, as long as Washington does the same in return, while at the same time trying to increase US costs of staying in the region. United States
Erdogan vows to defend Tripoli government after Libya talks fail Following the failure of a Russia-Turkey-brokered peace deal in Libya, Turkey's president reaffirmed his pledge to defend the government in Tripoli ahead of Sunday’s Berlin Conference. Turkey
European powers trigger Iran deal dispute mechanism The step by the United Kingdom, France and Germany is intended to buy time to resolve the impasse over Iran reducing its adherence to the nuclear deal to protest a lack of sanctions relief, but analysts fear it could hasten the accord’s demise. Iran
Fighters in Iraq's Anbar wary of US-Iran conflict as Denmark pulls forces Due to rising US-Iran tension in Iraq, Denmark has said it will pull most of its elite military trainers out of the country. Iraq
Anti-Turkey alliance grows as Ankara sends troops to Libya Turkey has already made enemies through its maritime exploits in the Mediterranean, and now Egypt is seeking to build international pressure against Ankara's military moves in Libya. Egypt
Tunisia goes into 'diplomatic coma' Following the Turkish intervention in Libya and the Tunisian diplomatic silence in the face of the Libyan developments, Tunisians have launched a campaign calling on officials to break their silence and play an effective role in any mediation process aimed at putting an end to the Libyan conflict. Turkey
Senate Armed Services Chairman Inhofe endorses Iraq sanctions Key Republican leaders are lining up behind President Donald Trump’s threats to hit Iraq with crippling sanctions. Iraq
Europeans rebuff Trump call to abandon nuclear deal amid growing rift on Iran The United States and Europe continue to be divided on Iran, with points of contention including how to react to the Iran protests and how the United States has doubled down on pressure after the Soleimani killing. United States
As Russia mediates Syria-Turkey talks, can new Idlib truce hold? As the international spotlight was on intra-Libyan talks in Moscow, Russia mediated talks between Syria-Turkey security chiefs Syria
Can Iran mobilize allies to end US Mideast presence? Iran seeks an end to the US presence in the Middle East, but can it bring Russia and Turkey on board? Iraq
Protests continue in Iran over plane crash Iranians' outrage continues unabated since their government admitted to shooting down a Ukrainian plane, killing 176 people. Iran
Could fragile cease-fire lead to peace in Libya? The warring parties in Libya agreed to a cease-fire, but the process remains fragile. Turkey
