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
Gaza's Christians blocked from travel to Bethlehem Israeli authorities have refused to grant many Christians in the Gaza Strip exit permits to celebrate the Christmas holidays in Bethlehem in the West Bank. Palestine
Erdogan gets his wish from Trump in Syria, but now what? Ankara fears that US President Donald Trump’s sudden decision to exit Syria could become a pyrrhic victory, as four main concerns could widen security vulnerabilities and trouble Turkey's president domestically. Syria
Mattis exits over Mideast policy split with Trump Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis announced his resignation the day after President Donald Trump decided to pull US troops out of Syria. Syria
Rising sea levels threaten Egyptian coasts Egypt announces state of emergency following a major flood in the coastal governorate of Kafr El Sheikh as a result of turbulent weather. Egypt
Syria’s internally displaced losing hope of returning home Feeling that their chances of returning to their hometowns in Syria are dropping, Aleppo’s displaced are seeking stability by preserving their old social ties in a new place. Syria
Is Qatar's Gaza airport plan a step too far? Qatar’s ambassador to the Palestinian territories recently revealed that he has discussed with Israel the idea of building an airport in besieged Gaza. Qatar
Will Lebanon’s support of UN compacts benefit Syrian refugees? Lebanon has voted in favor of two UN resolutions that improve the treatment of refugees and migrants, but the displaced Syrians in the country may not benefit, as they are not classified as refugees or even migrants. Jordan
Will US exit from Syria change terrain of Turkey's road map? President Donald Trump's abrupt announcement that he will pull US troops out of Syria has Turkey reassessing the situation. Syria
Israel concerned over American exit of Syria US withdrawal from Syria leaves Israel alone in the campaign against Iranian entrenchment there. Israel
Palestinian Authority warns Israel of strengthening Hamas Senior Ramallah Palestinians warn Israel that its efforts to weaken President Mahmoud Abbas would end up with Hamas taking over the West Bank and Palestinian leadership. Palestine
Is Erdogan’s brinkmanship forcing Washington to climb down? Ankara is pleased with Trump’s decision to pull out of Syria, but it greets this decision with a mixture of caution and skepticism. Syria
How real are Erdogan’s ‘second Gezi’ worries? Turkey’s president and his far-right ally have come to issue harsh warnings against opposition protests, but in the absence of any sign that such protests could erupt, their real aim appears to be to nourish polarization. Turkey
