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
Will the PA be able to invest in Area C? Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah demanded that the Palestinian Authority be allowed to invest in Area C, considering it a way to achieve development, create jobs and increase the Palestinians' GDP. Palestine
Iran's launch of ‘Look East’ 2.0 The recent Regional Security Dialogue in Tehran is an indication that Iran sees security multilateralism as a mechanism to confront US pressure and maintain the regional balance of power in its favor. Syria
Russia, Turkey continue tug of war over Idlib despite the agreements As the first deadlines of the Russia-Turkey deal on Idlib draw near, the two countries each seek to push their own agenda while avoiding large-scale conflict. Syria
Donors consider new mechanism for assisting Gaza Donor countries to Gaza are looking for ways to transfer aid to Gaza Strip residents without the money falling into the pockets of Hamas. Palestine
Northern Syria takes step toward new judicial system The Turkish-built Palace of Justice and an even larger prison were inaugurated in al-Rai last month with the expectation of a new judicial system to begin functioning in mid-October in place of unsanctioned courts controlled by the Free Syrian Army. Syria
Fierce battle amid leaders of the Israeli right Education Minister Naftali Bennett and Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman are battling each other, as neither of them dares to confront the unbeatable Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Palestine
Palestine cracks down on torture, seeks sentencing options After joining international conventions and treaties, Palestinian authorities are developing new means of preventing torture, while Gaza Strip lawmakers are about to pass a law providing for alternatives to prison for lesser offenses. Palestine
Hamas, Fatah exchange arrests before Abbas' UN speech Hamas and Fatah engaged in reciprocal arrest campaigns of each other's supporters in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, though the Palestinian Authority denies its arrests were political in nature. Palestine
Violence abates during tentative truce in Tripoli After violent clashes rocked Tripoli, Libyan officials are calling on the United Nations to assume a military role to mediate between rival militias. North Africa
Assessing Bahraini-Syrian encounter in New York Bahrain Foreign Minister Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa's meeting with his Syrian counterpart leaves observers questioning its position on the Syrian crisis. Saudi Arabia
Desperate Gazans protest against Hamas Desperate Gaza residents are so poor, hungry and desperate that they no longer fear demonstrating against powerful Hamas. Palestine
Netanyahu, defense minister battle discreetly over new IDF chief Facing the upcoming nomination of IDF’s next chief of staff, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might undermine Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman's prerogative and appoint a relatively young and inexperienced candidate. Israel
