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
Syrian regime, allies step up Idlib offensive The Syrian regime and its allies have intensified the air and ground campaign in Idlib province, creating a level of destruction reminiscent of the battle for Aleppo. Syria
Rouhani: Iran has no need to negotiate over its defense In a speech at an event for the Iran-Iraq War, President Hassan Rouhani said that Iran has no need to negotiate over its defensive capabilities. United States
How Iran sees Turkey’s military operation in northern Syria A complex series of considerations — including the ignition of blowback from Kurdish groups elsewhere in the region — has caused Iran to remain muted in its response to Turkey’s military incursion into northern Syria. Turkey
Sochi conference casualty of Turkey’s military offensive in Syria Syrian opposition meeting reveals extent — and limits — of Russian-Turkish collaboration. Syria
US adds Hamas political leader to terrorist list By designating the head of Hamas’ political arm, Ismail Haniyeh, on the American list of global terrorists, the US State Department added another obstacle to Palestinian reconciliation. Palestine
Turkey tackles 2 roles in Syria: peacemaker, provocateur While laying waste to Kurdish villages in Afrin, Turkey is also positioning itself as a shield between the Syrian army and opposition forces. Syria
Israel presses Russia to help contain 'Iranian threat' Israel is looking to Russia to help dial back Iran's ambitions to expand its presence and influence. Israel
US warns of renewed Syria gas attacks The White House has warned it could take action against Damascus if reported gas attacks continue. Syria
Palestinian wiretap scandal raises ire, but no action so far The Palestinian Preventive Security Service is under fire for allegedly wiretapping citizens. Palestine
Saudi, UAE involvement in eastern Yemen unsettles Oman Reports that Saudi Arabia is planning to militarize its presence in Yemen’s easternmost governorate have raised security concerns in neighboring Oman. Saudi Arabia
Advancing separatists could restore South Yemen There are now two rebellions against the internationally recognized government of Yemen: one by the Houthis in the north and a second by secessionists in the south who now have control of Aden. Saudi Arabia
Ankara-Moscow dealings still tangled as Idlib smoke clears Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian leader Vladimir Putin have reportedly agreed to accelerate Turkey's deployment into Idlib a day after its convoy was struck by a car bomb. Syria
