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
Israeli security: Unrest, despair increasing in West Bank Former IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot warns that sanctions and despair may soon generate an outburst of violence in the West Bank. Palestine
Yazidis have 'protectors' in Iraq, but question safety Iraq's Yazidi ethno-religious minority is safe from the Islamic State, but now faces infighting among protective forces seeking dominance in Sinjar. Iraq
Will killing of Hamas cadre set off chain of assassinations? Several reports suggest that Israel’s assassination of Hamed al-Khudari, a Hamas cadre accused of funneling funds to the movement, could be the first in a chain of assassinations of Hamas leaders. Palestine
Tunisia on edge as Libya's Hifter advances Tunisian authorities remain tight-lipped on the tumult in neighboring Libya, even as escalating violence impacts the Tunisian border. Libya
Libyan Salafists fight alongside 'secular' Hifter Although Libyan strongman Khalifa Hifter has often been perceived as a secular leader, his Libyan National Army contains many Salafi fighters. Libya
Turkey sticks to its guns on Russian missile-defense deal Despite the efforts of NATO heavy-hitter Jens Stoltenberg, Turkey seems to be moving closer to Russia and its S-400 air-defense system. Turkey
Long-expected battle for Idlib may have begun Backed by massive Russian air power, the Syrian regime has launched what may be the start of a long-feared offensive to retake opposition-held northern Hama and Idlib, in which an estimated 3 million inhabitants and civilians displaced from other areas are trapped. Syria
Gaza escalation; a prelude to Hamas-Israel war? The Israeli army has adopted a new approach vis-a-vis Hamas and the Islamic Jihad, with retaliation against rocket fire and targeted killings. Palestine
Israel, Qatar interests merge on Gaza, West Bank In order to ameliorate its image in Washington, Qatar is now ready to extract Israel from the complicated situation it got into by withholding money from the Palestinian Authority. Saudi Arabia
Trump to Iran: Call me Amid rising tensions, President Donald Trump urged Iran three times to call him and said he believed they could make a fair deal. Iraq
Pentagon’s new Middle East chief fixes sights on Iran threat Gen. Frank McKenzie, the Pentagon’s new top military commander in the Middle East, faces the lingering threat of Iran with limited military authorities at his disposal and a wary Congress. United States
