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
Tribal laws determine fate of IS families in Iraq The war has come to an end in Iraq’s western and northern areas, occupied by the Islamic State in 2014, but another battle has broken out between IS families and tribes whose members were killed by the group during its control of Ramadi and Mosul. Iraq
US commander says Iraq sovereignty provides ‘legal basis’ for Syria presence The Pentagon’s top commander in the Middle East told lawmakers today that protecting Iraq’s sovereignty provides the “legal basis” for US involvement in Syria. Iraq
Russia, Qatar move forward on military cooperation The Kremlin tightens its military relationship with Qatar, with Doha finalizing the purchase of S-400 air missile defense systems from Russia. Saudi Arabia
Russia's call for dialogue with Assad irritates Ankara Pro-government Turkish analysts say Moscow’s call for dialogue between Ankara and Damascus over Afrin is an effort to sideline Turkish aims in Syria. Syria
Jordan and Turkey get cozy Jordan and Turkey are boosting political, trade and economic ties amid regional challenges and shared interests in the outcome of nearby conflicts. Saudi Arabia
Local Iraqi forces keep eye on border as life resumes As the Syrian Democratic Forces pull out of positions along the Syrian-Iraqi border and civilians return to the nearby town of Qaim, several remaining security forces are coordinating to maintain the peace. Iraq
Success of US-funded Israeli missile defense system sparks interest in use inside America The United States has spent half a billion dollars developing Israel’s battle-tested Arrow 3 system, but its adoption for US use faces several obstacles. Israel
Salih Muslim: Syria's Kurdish problems will be solved by Syrians, not Turkey In an interview just days before being arrested in Prague at Turkey's request, Syrian Kurdish leader Salih Muslim spoke to Al-Monitor about his relations with Ankara. Syria
Will Israel act against Iran? Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu toughened his speech against Iran, but the reality on the ground raises questions as to whether or not the Cabinet will follow up in deeds. Israel
Egypt sends news editors to military academy for 'training' An agreement that calls for top editors of Egyptian newspapers and websites to take mandatory training sessions in media and national security at the Nasser Military Academy has stirred controversy. Egypt
Kirkuk not as liberated from IS as claimed Because of the crisis between Erbil and Baghdad over Kurdish independence, increased attacks by the Islamic State in the Kirkuk province have gone generally unnoticed by the government. Iraq
Israel builds new wall at Lebanon’s southern border Tension is rising on the Lebanese southern border, where Israel has started building a wall, despite UNIFIL’s reassurances that the situation there is under control. Israel
