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, Israel battle over Temple Mount Israel is looking into the increased flow of donations from Turkey into Muslim groups active on the Temple Mount. Israel
Syria's Assad seeks support of tribes against US, others Regime forces are recruiting Arab tribes to fight against the presence of US and other foreign troops in Syrian territories. Syria
Gaza tunnel workers face greater risks, shrinking pay The tunnels used for smuggling goods between Gaza and Egypt are still operating despite the dangers posed by the Egyptian army’s campaign to destroy them. Palestine
Top Democrats urge Gulf to drop demand for Houthi surrender in Yemen Some of the House’s most hawkish Democratic leaders rebuked Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates over their offensive on the key port of Hodeidah. Saudi Arabia
Manbij holds the key to improved Turkish-US ties Ankara is worried the United States and Russia may be working on a deal in Syria that will be to Turkey's disadvantage. Syria
Why Putin won’t throw Iran under the bus in Syria Despite speculation that Russian President Vladimir Putin may sacrifice Iran's interests in his upcoming summit with US President Donald Trump, Russian policy appears geared toward gaining concessions from the Americans without going beyond Iran’s red lines in Syria. Syria
Egypt rejects EU plan to force refugees into camps The debate over the European Union’s plan to set up centers for migrants in North Africa and the Middle East has been rekindled in Egypt, where officials reiterated their rejection of such centers. Egypt
Turkey clinches deal to sell 4 warships to Pakistan After failing to find buyers in Middle East, Turkey's defense industry takes a major step forward by selling four corvettes to Pakistan. Turkey
Israel prepares for Assad’s return to the border Israeli security experts claim that the return of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to the Golan Heights is not necessarily bad news for Israel. Israel
Syrian truce relieves pressure on Jordan's border Jordan pressured Syrian rebels to cede control of the southern province of Daraa and the strategic Nassib border crossing to Syria. Jordan
Can Russia deliver on Trump’s hope of ousting Iran from Syria? In the run-up to the Putin-Trump summit, Russia weighs a possible deal with the United States on Syria, but can it deliver on Washington's vision of an Iran-free Syria? Syria
