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 issues arrest warrants for MBS associates Turkey sends a message to Saudi Arabia and the world about the Khashoggi murder. Saudi Arabia
Turkey’s complex balancing act between Russia and Ukraine President Erdogan’s desire to mediate between Moscow and Kiev is confounded by Turkish policies in Crimea and Russian separatism in eastern Ukraine. Turkey
Black Sea simmers as world awaits Kerch Strait fallout The Russia-Ukraine crisis could expand to affect many countries, and Turkey's position is potentially crucial. Turkey
Israel destroys Hezbollah's border tunnels but missile threat looms Israel has started uncovering and destroying Hezbollah's attack tunnels under the Lebanese border, but destroying the group's ambitious precision missile project will be much more difficult. Israel
Turkish appeals court upholds conviction of top Kurdish politician Two weeks after a European rights court calls for Kurdish politician Selahattin Demirtas' release from prison, a Turkish appeals court confirms his conviction. Turkey
Congress grills incoming Middle East commander on Yemen On the heels of a vote to end support to the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen, senators grilled President Trump’s choice to lead US troops in the Middle East about America’s role in the conflict. Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia's estrangement Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman got into the G-20 group photo, but his brand remains very toxic. Saudi Arabia
Russia, Turkey seek to break deadlock in Syria over Idlib Russia and Turkey say they will stick to their agreements on Idlib, but recent military developments in the area expose the challenges the countries may encounter in fulfilling their respective commitments. Syria
Turkish doctors say hospital violence out of control Turkey's health care workers have long asked for government action to curb the verbal and physical assaults they too often face at work, but the government’s latest bill does little to help them. Turkey
Jordan, Syria make headway in resuming normal ties The Syrian and Jordanian governments appear to be moving forward with normalizing relations, with the resumption of official visits and talk of cooperation. Jordan
US Syria envoy: Let's pull the plug on Russia-led talks US Syria envoy James Jeffrey would like incoming UN Syria envoy Geir Pederson to have a clear path for negotiating a solution for Syria. Syria
