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
Reduction in Iran's gasoline subsidy sparks anti-government protests President Hassan Rouhani’s announcement of a large reduction in the gasoline subsidy sparked protests across a number of cities, with deaths having been reported. Iran
Congress moves to sanction Russians for mercenary surge in Libya The US National Security Council has begun a review of US policy involving Libya as a congressional bill seeks to sanction Russian mercenaries who have undertaken operations in the war-torn North African country. Libya
Against odds, Netanyahu revives his fortunes The Israeli prime minister takes out a terrorist foe, puts Iran’s Soleimani on notice and effectively sinks rival’s chances to form a new government — not a bad week. Palestine
Netanyahu’s 'divide and rule' policy against Palestinians Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues with the same approach of ignoring the Palestinian Authority and destabilizing it through contacts with Hamas. Palestine
Turkey’s fight against IS riddled with black holes Ankara may boast about how many Islamic State members it has captured, but its handling of IS suspects on the ground, especially in deportation centers, speaks of a slipshod attitude to the problem. Syria
Egypt conducts joint drills with Greece, Cyprus amid Turkey tensions The naval forces of Egypt, Greece and Cyprus conducted joint military exercises in the Mediterranean amid tensions with Turkey over its drilling activities in the area. Egypt
IS kills priests in Syria as Turkish-backed fighters express IS sympathies Two Armenian Catholic priests are killed by the Islamic State near Hasakah and pro-Turkish Syrian fighters are reported to have hoisted the Islamic State flag in Ras al-Ain. Syria
Did Turkey backstab Syrian opposition's National Army? Turkey's catch-and-release handling of 18 regime fighters captured by the Syrian opposition shocked many opposition forces. Syria
Hamas arrests gunmen trying to cross into Sinai Hamas' security efforts are paying off, stopping suspected terrorists from crossing into Egypt on twice in one week. Palestine
Islamic Jihad holds firm on Gaza cease-fire conditions Islamic Jihad has vowed to avenge Israel’s assassination of its commander and the attempted killing of another leader in Syria. Palestine
Displaced Syrians demand to return, seek regime-YPG exit Hundreds of Syrians displaced from Tell Rifaat and its surroundings are demonstrating for the right to return home and for opposition forces — not the regime — to control the area. Syria
Re-empowerment of career diplomats could help Turkey salvage global image Operation Peace Spring undeniably revealed what was long feared: Turkey’s inability to explain itself to the world because of structural damage to the traditional workings of the Foreign Ministry, alienated skilled career diplomats and new agencies that are active in foreign policy. Turkey
