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
Turkey’s risky route in Idlib Turkey is struggling to maintain a balance with Russia as it takes action to block the Syrian army at Idlib. Syria
As Iran stirs worries, Sisi sets vision for Arab security Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi offers a plan to achieve Arab security and counter threats to the Arab region, to avoid war with Iran. Saudi Arabia
Russia, Iran in tug of war over Syria military reform Moscow and Tehran have disparate views on how the Syrian military should be reformed. Syria
After years of calm, Lebanon’s Tripoli reels from 'lone wolf' terror attack Following an attack in Tripoli that killed four, the Lebanese government admits that it might not prepared to confront "lone wolf" terrorism. Lebanon
Distrust of SDF, unclear future divide Syrian tribal massacre area Al-Monitor traveled to the Shaitat area of Deir ez-Zor, scene of a 2014 massacre in which up to 1,000 mostly men and boys were killed within a few weeks after the tribe rose up against the Islamic State, to understand how the people there are dealing with the Kurdish-led SDF. Syria
Egypt's hand appears in play behind scenes in Sudan The head of the Sudanese Transitional Military Council has visited Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, raising questions about Cairo’s role in Sudanese affairs. Saudi Arabia
Netanyahu's choice for Egypt envoy known for diplomatic gaffes Despite of his history of diplomatic and security missteps, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering appointing Communications Minister Ayoub Kara to the extremely sensitive position of ambassador to Egypt. Egypt
Islamic Jihad mulls military action to foil US peace plan As the United States gets closer to officially revealing details of its Middle East peace plan, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad says it and its allies are ready to do whatever is necessary to stop the lopsided deal. Palestine
Democrats want to tie Trump’s hands on Iran. Here are their options. Congress wants to take back its war-making authorities as tensions escalate with Iran. United States
US Syria envoy says ‘no role’ for Europe in proposed safe zone The United States has a “general” deal in place to establish a safe zone in northeastern Syria, the Trump administration’s top Syria policy official said, but the effort will not include European countries. Syria
Can Erdogan mend fences with US, Europe while saving face? Turkey is seeking to improve relations with the West to stave off further damage to its ailing economy, but wants to do so without appearing to concede any ground or make concessions. Syria
Syrian farmers suffer as Kurds' crops set ablaze Kurdish authorities in eastern Syria say politically motivated arsonists are setting fire to agricultural lands, destroying thousands of acres of farmers' crops. Syria
