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
Turkey sends top delegation to Russia to talk Syria Ankara is looking to negotiate with Moscow over its proposed intervention in northern Syria. Syria
Will US pullout from Syria increase risk of conflict with Russia? The announcement of the US pullout from Syria was received with caution in Moscow. Besides the security and political challenges it may bring about, the Trump decision could mean the end of a practical, relatively constructive US-Russian approach to conflict at flashpoints. Syria
Why Turkey's Kurdish strategy will remain ineffective While making moves to crush the Kurds’ de facto self-rule in northern Syria, Turkey has targeted also the Makhmour refugee camp in Iraq, which, ironically, holds a mirror to Ankara’s failed Kurdish policies over the years. Iraq
Is this the downfall of Egyptian-brokered truce? The Egyptian-brokered cease-fire agreement between the Gaza Strip and Israel is now threatened by resistance attacks in the West Bank. Palestine
Israeli parties in search of ex-generals On the backdrop of security tensions on Israeli’s northern and southern fronts, all of the parties are looking for security-oriented stars. Israel
Israel’s early elections could trigger new Gaza violence With early elections approaching in Israel, Hamas is wary of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu withdrawing from the Gaza arrangement and might opt for another wave of violence. Palestine
France becomes Turkey’s newest bugbear as Kurds court Macron Now that US forces are withdrawing from Syria, Turkey has turned its ire to France, which could play a bridging role between the Kurds, Moscow and Washington that could upset Turkish plans. Syria
Iraqi border eyes Iran influence as US plans Syria pullout After the retaking of IS-held territory across the border and the US announcement it would pull its troops out of Syria, Iraq’s western Anbar is grappling with the prospect of increased Iranian influence amid joblessness, a lack of electricity and reports of cross-border drug smuggling. Iraq
IDF in West Bank refrains from arresting Jews Despite a dramatic increase in Jewish nationalist crimes, such as slashing tires, throwing stones, and cutting down olive trees in Palestinian settlements even within the Green Line, Israeli security forces have been remarkably helpless. Palestine
Copts once again fall victim to deadly violence in Egypt In an area of Egypt known for violence against Coptic Christians, a father and son were recently slain, allegedly by an Egyptian who was supposed to be guarding a church. Egypt
Trump buries the hatchet with Erdogan over Syria The US troop withdrawal could also lead to a return of the 'art of the deal' with Putin. Israel
