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
What Iran lost with Soleimani’s killing The top military commander’s influence went beyond his military prowess, and will be something that no successor can likely replicate. Iraq
Iraq can’t survive a US-Iran war The Iraqi government is on edge after the United States takes out Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani, calls for restraint. Iraq
Intel: Why Ankara is maintaining cautious silence on Soleimani killing Officials in Ankara were awake and concerned in the early morning hours of Jan. 3, after a US strike near Baghdad's airport killed top Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani. Yet 18 hours after the strike, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is still silent. Turkey
Soleimani’s assassination unites Iranians The assassination of Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani has shocked Iranians into unity. United States
How Russia is reading the killing of Qasem Soleimaini Moscow weighs the implications of the elimination of one of the Middle East's most powerful men. Iraq
US allies, Democrats express concerns after assassination of Iran’s Soleimani US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has called for de-escalation after the killing of Iran's Quds Force leader Qasem Soleimani, but international allies and Democratic senators are openly skeptical about Pompeo’s claim that his assassination was wise. Iraq
As US-Iran conflict heats up, Hamas finesses Tehran’s expectations The escalation of tensions between Iran and the United States is threatening to force Hamas to take action in support of Tehran, endangering the chances for an arrangement with Israel. Palestine
Israel’s security chiefs fear possible Iran war Israel’s defense sector lauded the killing of Qasem Soleimani, but is bracing for an aggressive reaction by Iran and an escalation of regional tensions. Iraq
Turkish parliament approves troop deployment to Libya The Turkish parliament approved a one-year mandate to deploy troops in support of the Tripoli government against an ongoing offensive led by eastern Libya commander Khalifa Hifter. Turkey
Multibillion-dollar lawsuit in Israel against Arab Bank Israeli casualties of terrorism sue the Jordan-based Arab Bank over its alleged assistance to terror groups. Palestine
Intel: US marshals diplomatic support after Iraq embassy attack Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is busy marshalling support for the United States in the region as Iraq becomes ground zero in the escalating feud between Washington and Tehran. Iraq
Iran VP denies Tehran behind attack inside Iraq Iranian officials have reiterated comments by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that they will not start the war but will fight back against an invasion. Iraq
