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
Intel: How Russia and Turkey are growing closer at US expense The April 30 phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan covered a broad range of topics, from trade to military cooperation to Syria, as the two countries continue to grow closer amid US-Turkey tensions. Syria
Libya signs $2 million lobbying deal as Trump warms to rival strongman The UN-recognized Government of National Accord has signed a massive deal with Mercury Public Affairs as Khalifa Hifter’s forces threaten Tripoli. Libya
Saudi-led coalition begins paying US back for overdue Yemen war bills Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are on the hook for a $299 million billing error for aerial refueling. Originals
US sends Syria envoy to Ankara ahead of Geneva talks US Syria envoy Jim Jeffrey is expected to meet with Turkish officials to discuss the US-backed Kurdish militants along its border as part of his continuing efforts to arrange a safe zone in the area. Syria
Algeria’s army moves from arbiter to central player in politics The protests have thrust Algeria’s behind-the-scenes kingmaker into an unwelcome limelight. Algeria
Why some Iraqis want the PMU to be dissolved The Popular Mobilization Units rushed to aid Iran in the wake of punishing floods, leaving many Iraqis to believe that the PMU overlooks Iraqi suffering. Iraq
Israel tries rescuing PA from collapse, after instigating crisis to begin with Israel must now face the economic crises of the Palestinian Authority, which was generated by the decision of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to cut Palestinian tax revenues over stipends to families of assailants. Palestine
Christians in northeastern Syria seek to revive Easter spirit following IS ouster After the fall of IS, Easter celebrations were held in only in some northeastern Syrian areas. Syria
New name, same old problems: Syria talks kick off in Kazakh capital The name of the venue for the Syria peace talks may have changed from Astana to Nursultan, but the challenges the participants faced were familiar ones. Jordan
Russia consolidating its position in Iraq amid anti-Iran sanctions Russian and Iraqi officials convened in Baghdad for another bilateral commission session to discuss energy and security cooperation amid US anti-Iran sanctions. Iraq
US permits civil nuclear ties with Iran despite 'maximum pressure' Iran’s economy struggles under sanctions, floods, mismanagement; Al-Monitor’s Jack Detsch recognized for "exemplary reporting." United States
Turkey continues to freeze Kurds out of Syria peace talks Syria peace talks continue in the Kazakh capital, with regional heavyweights battling it out over who will have a spot at the negotiating table. Syria
