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
Ankara uses Afrin campaign to showcase Turkish-made weapons Amid snubs by Western arms suppliers, leaders in Ankara are eager to highlight progress in the Turkish defense industry during the military offensive on Afrin. Turkey
Is Israel prepping its public for third Lebanon war? Israel is multiplying its diplomatic efforts against Hezbollah’s missile project, while examining possibilities of preventive strikes. Israel
Is Hamas setting up military force in Golan Heights? Israel has accused Hamas of working on setting up a military force in the Syrian Golan Heights at the request of Iran. Palestine
Syrians divided by Turkish offensive on Afrin Some Syrians support Turkey's military operation in Afrin as it could provide an opportunity for them to return home, but others fear Turkey's intentions are far from noble. Originals
Hostility toward Syrians could explode in Turkey, ICG warns A new report by the International Crisis Group warns that tension and violence involving Syrian refugees in Turkey is underdocumented and growing worse. Syria
Olive Branch wins Erdogan friends at home, but risks standoff with US Despite the success of Ankara's Syrian military operation in closing Turkish ranks around him, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has raised the possibility of a military confrontation between Turkey and the United States. Syria
Palestinians wary of Israeli survey at Gaza border crossing The Israeli army has developed a survey for Palestinian travelers to fill out at the Erez crossing, in what some Palestinians argue is aimed at gathering intelligence information about the situation in Gaza. Palestine
What role will Moscow assume in Yemen's civil war? Russia is expanding its reputation as a mediator in various conflicts and could wield its influence in Yemen to bring both sides to the negotiating table. United Arab Emirates
Battle for strategic Syrian peak continues As Turkey fights to reclaim the strategic hilltop of Bursaya a second time, it's getting harder for the president to use the Olive Branch offensive to drum up support. Syria
Trump puts Israeli-Palestinian security coordination at risk Threats by US President Donald Trump to cut aid to the Palestinian Authority endangers the so-called Dayton Force and their security coordination with Israel. Palestine
Russia's role in Afrin depends on Turkey's true intentions As Turkish forces continue their offensive on Kurdish-controlled Afrin, Russia's playbook there seems to call for a level field and level heads. Syria
Is US bailing on Syrian Kurds? Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ignores appeals for restraint in northern Syria, appears to have gotten Washington to end support for the YPG. Syria
