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
Ankara seeks to discipline proxies in northeast Syria Allegations of war crimes committed by the rebel Syrian National Army backed by Turkey in northeast Syria have forced Ankara to take steps to try to rein in its proxies. Syria
Internet ignites as journalist loses eye to Israeli bullet Journalists and social media activists joined a campaign in support of Palestinian photojournalist Muath Amarneh, who lost his left eye covering confrontations between Palestinians and Israeli forces in the West Bank. Palestine
Can EU's fear of terrorists give Turkey clout in ocean drilling? Following his threats to flood Europe with Syrian refugees, the Turkish president is now trying to use Islamic State suspects as leverage. Syria
Will Hamas accept Israeli incentives? Israel is reportedly considering offering Hamas incentives in the Gaza Strip, following the movement not getting involved in the latest confrontation between Israel and Islamic Jihad. Palestine
Russia faces dilemmas in northeastern Syria While it has added some fortifications, Moscow is challenged with new political and military uncertainty over Syria's northeast. Syria
Khamenei declares victory as Tehran claims protests slowing Iran's supreme leader says that a security "conspiracy" has been defeated after a heavy-handed crackdown crushed nationwide protests against gasoline price hikes. Iran
Is Jordan Valley's annexation already on the way? As Israel gears up for what could be the third round of elections in less than a year, a bill presented earlier in the month to annex the Jordan Valley has taken on a new urgency in light of the US announcement that it no longer views the settlements as illegal. Palestine
New scandals pour more fuel on Iraq protests The popular protests in Iraq are still spreading, putting the government into even more of a corner. Iraq
Djerejian: In addressing uprisings in Middle East, first 'do no harm' Former US diplomat Edward Djerejian also sees opportunity for US diplomacy in Gulf crisis. Saudi Arabia
Turkey remains determined to keep Russian missiles After last week’s meeting between the US and Turkish presidents, some in Washington seem hopeful Turkey won't activate its Russian-made S-400 missile system, but Ankara insists Turkey didn’t buy the $2 billion weapons system to mothball it. Turkey
Turkey's defense industry sees rise of 'the president’s men' Decision-making power in Turkey's defense industry is shifting from the military to businessmen close to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Qatar
Iranian media seems to be preparing public for clampdown on protests The IRGC issued a statement warning that continued unrest would result in a firm confrontation. Iran
