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 Russia, France work together to settle Idlib? Moscow, Paris and Berlin have recently intensified talks over Syria's Idlib, but so far there's been more disagreement and defeated expectations than consent and progress. Jordan
Zarif seeks help from Pakistan Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif visits Islamabad with an eye toward receiving help in dealing with Iran's economic woes and its issues with Washington and Riyadh. Iran
Trump declares Iran emergency to bypass Congress on Gulf arms sales The Donald Trump administration cited Iran as the justification to invoke emergency powers to transfer arms to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates over congressional objections. Congress
US says Gulf troop surge ‘defensive in nature’ The Pentagon announced it will send additional US forces to the Middle East, but whether this is a smart defensive move or an unnecessary escalation of tensions with Iran remains to be seen. United States
Iran vs. US: From Talk of War to Talk of Talk Trump repeats his offer of talks with Iran, but Iran is not interested. Oman
Trump seeks to bypass Congress on Saudi weapons sales amid Yemen war dispute Democrats are concerned the Donald Trump administration may use emergency powers to bypass Congress on arms sales to Riyadh. Saudi Arabia
Turkey squeezed between Russia, US in Syria Turkey, pressed between Russia and the United States, is headed toward a foreign policy crash in addition to an economic one. Syria
Egypt’s sports tourism under attack A bus carrying mostly South African tourists was attacked near the Giza pyramids in Cairo, ahead of the African Union Cup that Egypt will host this summer. Egypt
Hundreds of Israeli security experts warn of annexation dangers Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies are belittling hundreds of former security officials who warn that annexing West Bank lands would endanger Israel’s security. Palestine
Congress forgoes Iran war restrictions to save anti-Assad bill In order to assure passage of a long-stalled Syria sanctions bill, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted down legislation restricting President Donald Trump’s ability to attack Iran. Syria
Idlib exposes Turkey’s weak hand against Russia Despite the gains Turkey believes it's made through growing its relations with Russia, the two countries' priorities in Syria are anything but aligned. Syria
SDF arrests Syrians who refuse to serve Residents of Syria’s Raqqa governorate are protesting the conscription efforts by the Kurdish-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces as young men who refuse to enlist are arrested. Syria
