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
Turkish defense industry risks big damage from US sanctions The US sanctions targeting Turkey’s defense industry agency may be seen as rather mild by some observers, but they threaten to deprive Turkey of key military technology should they last more than a year. Turkey
Iran not forthcoming on investigation into downed airliner, Canada’s government says Iranian officials have accused Canada of exploiting the incident for political purposes. Iran
Iran’s Rouhani dismisses outcry over journalist’s execution Iran hanged journalist and blogger Ruhollah Zam on Saturday after a court found him guilty of "corruption on earth." Iran
Israel open to teaming up with Gulf states on missile defense, official says Shift in tone comes as Israel hails "successful" missile defense exercise in cooperation with Pentagon's Missile Defense Agency Israel
US designates Bahraini terror group linked to Iran The outgoing US administration is continuing to pressure Iran and its allies in its final weeks in office. Bahrain
Syrian Kurds squeezed between Turkish threat, Russian pressure in Ain Issa Amid growing fears of a fresh Turkish offensive, the Syrian Kurds are under Russian pressure to cede full or partial control of the strategic town of Ain Issa to the Syrian government. Syria
Israel-Hamas contacts advance on prisoner exchange Contradicting reports have emerged about talks for an Israel-Hamas prisoner-exchange deal after an Egyptian delegation visited Gaza last week. Palestine
Hezbollah operative receives life sentences for Hariri assassination The Special Tribunal for Lebanon at the Hague had already convicted Salim Jamil Ayyash for involvement in the 2005 car-bomb assassination of the former Lebanese prime minister. Lebanon
Congress passes annual defense spending bill mandating sanctions on Turkey Trump has vowed to veto the bill, which includes a mandate for the administration to sanction Turkey over the S-400. Turkey
Will Turkish drones help Ukraine reclaim territory? As the Ukrainian news media buzzes with speculation that Ukraine may be planning to reclaim control of Donbass by Turkish drones, direct involvement by Turkey in the Ukraine-Russia conflict would cost Ankara dearly in its relations with Moscow. Turkey
US deploys long-range bombers, aircraft carrier to Middle East to deter Iran The B-52 deployment comes amid the return of the USS Nimitz to the Persian Gulf. United States
Intel: Russia sets up military positions in Syria’s Ain Issa after shelling from Turkish-controlled side The move follows Russian talks with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces Syria
