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 McConnell is forcing Democrats to side with Trump on Syria Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., managed to rebuke both President Donald Trump and Democrats with one vote. Syria
Why Kurds seek talks with Assad regime In an interview with Al-Monitor, Aldar Khalil, a leading figure of the Movement for a Democratic Society, speaks of the general landscape in Syria and voices his opinion about the US withdrawal of forces and potential talks with the Assad regime. Syria
Tehran, Moscow differ on Syria, but share interests elsewhere Russia and Iran are cautious about labeling their relationship an alliance, but when they say it is a partnership, they mean it. Israel
Why is Fatah getting cozy with Hezbollah? A senior Fatah official recently met with Hezbollah officials in Beirut to discuss security and other developments in Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon. Palestine
For Hamas, reconciliation with Egypt worth more than Qatari cash Qatar financial aid is very important for Hamas, but good relations with neighboring Egypt are essential to its survival. Qatar
Gantz, peace and the West Bank landscape Seeking regional peace, as presidential candidate Benny Gantz has pledged to do, will require revisiting not only the separation barrier but other Israeli alterations to the West Bank landscape in efforts to prime it for annexation. Palestine
Ankara rounds up more 'Gulenist' military pilots Turkey's crackdown on accused followers of exiled cleric Fethullah Gulen is still going strong, with an avalanche of purges and detentions that show no signs of abating. Turkey
Are Russia, Iran engaged in tug of war over Syria? Recent reports claim that pro-Russian and pro-Iranian forces are clashing in Syria, raising speculations on just how serious disagreements between Russia and Iran are in Syria. Syria
As Iraqi army retreats to borders, local police controls cities' security As the security situation improves in Iraq, the Iraqi army is handing security of the cities to the local police. Iraq
Pressured by settlers, Netanyahu ejects Hebron observers With elections right around the corner, it has become much easier for the settlers to pressure Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to do their bidding and let them rule downtown Hebron. Palestine
Syrian Kurds tell Washington they may join forces with Assad if US pulls out of Syria A top Syrian Kurdish official said today that US-backed fighters will consider integrating with the Syrian army, a potential frustration to US policy in the country after troops withdraw. Syria
Kurdish leaders scrabble for footing as Ankara pounds war drums Turkey says it has completed preparations to intervene in Syria's Manbij and the Kurdish-controlled area east of the Euphrates River. Syria
