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
Can Syrian Kurds’ offer unlock door to compromise with Turkey? The Syrian Kurds have offered Turkey a 5-kilometer-deep buffer zone that would see the pullout of Kurdish forces and heavy weaponry, without seeking the withdrawal of Turkish troops from Afrin, but only that of aligned militia. Syria
Shin Bet warns Israelis against all Bedouins Israel’s Bedouin community is outraged at a Shin Bet statement hinting at Bedouin involvement in terrorism. Palestine
Turkey threatens Syria invasion as US sanctions loom A breakthrough in the diplomatic dispute sparked by Turkey’s purchase of an advanced Russian missile system and Washington’s support for Syrian Kurdish militia continues to elude the NATO allies. Syria
Turkey finesses Trump for continued support against sanctions Turkey's government is preparing to offer new incentives to the US administration to secure its lasting support against economic sanctions. Turkey
Did Abbas just ditch Oslo? The Palestinian president’s decision to suspend all agreements with Israel comes after years of calls by the PLO’s Central Council to end security cooperation with Israel, but does he mean it? Palestine
Shadow war: Egypt and Iran battle for influence in Gaza It looks like Khamenei and Hamas leaders agree on everything ... but is the reality more or less than meets the eye? Iran gains traction even with the PA; Egypt looks to take the diplomatic lead; closing the Iranian margins. Legacy: Gulf
Iraqi spy chief discusses IS and intel cooperation Al-Monitor was granted an exclusive interview with the head of Iraq’s secretive counterterrorism intelligence unit, Abu Ali al-Basri. The Falcon Intelligence Cell director discussed what remains of the Islamic State, potential future risks and how the unit shares information with other countries. Iraq
How to read Hamas’ visit to Iran Hamas leaders seem pleased with the outcomes of a senior delegation's historic visit to Iran, though details are still scanty. Palestine
Has Egypt failed to secure Sinai? Successive terrorist operations in just 24 hours clearly reveal the plan of terrorist groups to intensify terrorist attacks in the northern Sinai Peninsula. Egypt
Kurdish cities in Syria witness bloody week The Kurdish region in northern Syria has witnessed several explosions in the past month, with one of them targeting a church. Syria
UK, Iran treading troubled waters after seizing tankers The British navy is now escorting vessels through the Strait of Hormuz for safety reasons, as it remains to be seen if Iran and the United Kingdom can settle their maritime dispute. United States
IDF takes out Hezbollah targets on Syrian border Over the past few months, the IDF has increased its operations against Hezbollah, which is taking over abandoned military outposts in the Syrian Golan Heights. Israel
