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
The coming battle for Idlib Syrian regime forces are deploying near and around Idlib province, in northwestern Syria, suggesting that the battle for Idlib is shaping up despite diplomatic gesturing and a statement by Russia denying an imminent operation. Syria
Will Riyadh-Tehran rivalry kill Iraqi Kurdistan's investment drive? A visit to Erbil by a Saudi trade delegation in late July has the potential to bear fruit in advancing economic cooperation and investment in the region, helping ease its current financial crisis, but the Saudis' move has raised eyebrows in Tehran. Saudi Arabia
Erdogan vows to hunt down PKK as Turkey buries slain mother, baby News of the killing of a young mother and infant son has sparked nationwide outrage in Turkey, and its president has renewed promises to eliminate Kurdish separatists and their enablers. Turkey
Druze anger rising over Israel’s Nationality Law Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not foresee the degree of anger the Nationality Law would generate among the Druze, with protests spreading quickly, including to the military. Israel
Is a storm brewing for Turkey in Idlib? The increasing presence of jihadis in the last remaining opposition enclave is giving Bashar al-Assad a pretext to threaten an attack on the region where Turkish forces are also deployed. Syria
Ankara’s eyes on Idlib as Astana group gathers in Sochi Representatives from Turkey, Russia and Iran are reportedly meeting in Sochi to discuss the Syrian conflict, and Iran's presence in the war-torn area seems to figure prominently. Syria
Turkey becomes more dependent on Russia due to Idlib Ankara has not reacted to large Russian arms shipments to Armenia as Turkey’s current priority is preserving security cooperation with Russia in Syria, particularly in Idlib. Syria
Palestinians reach agreement with Damascus on return of refugees Amid efforts to reconstruct the Yarmouk refugee camp on the outskirts of Damascus, the PLO is working to facilitate the return of Palestinian refugees to Syria who fled to Gaza and Lebanon. Palestine
Syria's Idlib emerges as Achilles heel in Russia-Turkey partnership Although Turkey is desperately trying to postpone an imminent Idlib operation by Syrian forces, a compromise doesn’t look likely. Syria
Will Iraq's Sunni provinces join in on protest movement? While the southern part of Iraq is witnessing a major protest movement, people in Sunni areas in the west and north — despite expressing support for the demonstrations — have fears about going out into the streets. Iraq
Israel’s 'UNRWA dilemma' Israel is worried about UNRWA's announcement that due to cuts in US funding, it will not be able to open schools in the West Bank for the academic year scheduled to begin Sept. 1. Palestine
Abbas appears set to compromise for Fatah-Hamas reconciliation A Fatah delegation is in Cairo to discuss reconciliation with Hamas, carrying a broad mandate from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to compromise on control of security forces in Gaza. Palestine
