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
Anger, despair reach new heights in West Bank The mob attack in the West Bank town of Jenin on two Israel Defense Forces soldiers should be considered as a warning sign for the possible outbreak of a new intifada. Palestine
KRG delegation arrives in Afrin as Turkey offensive softens Kurdish split A delegation of Iraqi Kurds from rival political parties arrived in the Syrian Kurdish enclave of Afrin in a show of Kurdish solidarity. Iraq
Pentagon seeks to soothe Turkish fears over Syria border security request The Defense Department insists that its $300 million request to train and equip Syrian forces won’t be used to create a Kurdish-dominated “border guard” on Turkey’s doorstep. Syria
The Turkish media’s Afrin test In Turkey’s Afrin operation, a glaring gap has emerged between the coverage of pro-government media and that of oppositional and foreign media. Syria
What are real reasons behind Russian troop drawdown in Syria? Russia's strategy behind withdrawing its forces from Syria could include wanting to protect them from escalating danger while winning points with voters. Syria
Animosity toward US uniting Turkey, Russia, Iran in Syria A loose alliance between Turkey, Russia and Iran in Syria is fraught with tensions driven by developments on the ground, but the three remain united in their desire not to provide advantage to the United States. Syria
Airstrikes catch up to displaced Aleppans in Idlib Syrians who fled Aleppo years ago and settled in Idlib are on the run once again or fearing for their lives as the regime, backed by Russian air cover, intensifies its attacks in the province. Syria
Interview Can Cairo talks succeed in uniting Libya's divided armed forces? In an interview with Al-Monitor, the spokesman for the Libyan armed forces led by Gen. Khalifa Hifter speaks about the UN-sponsored elections and Egyptian efforts to unite the army, as Libya further sinks into chaos and division. Khalifa Hifter Commander of the Libyan National Army
Trump seeks to slash funding for UN missions in Mideast The State Department budget is seeking across-the-board cuts to international peacekeeping missions worldwide. Lebanon
Pentagon budget retains same troop levels in Iraq, Syria The Donald Trump administration’s new budget for the Pentagon leaves in place nearly 6,000 US troops in Iraq and Syria. Iraq
US, Turkey could be on collision course in Syria Neither side is backing down as Ankara and Washington exchange tough talk over potential confrontations in Syria. Syria
Global spy malware traced back to Lebanese security A recent report revealed that a malware campaign was mainly being operated by Lebanon's General Directorate of General Security, raising questions about the privacy of the country's citizens. Lebanon
