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
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham intensifies campaign against al-Qaeda affiliate in Idlib Hayat Tahrir al-Sham presses on with its campaign to weaken Hurras al-Din. Syria
Turkey accuses Greece of harassing research vessel in eastern Mediterranean The two countries are set for renewed talks over Aegean maritime zones in early March. Turkey
CENTCOM chief warns Iran over strikes on Erbil, Saudi Arabia Gen. Kenneth "'Frank" McKenzie warned Iran in the boldest statement yet from the Biden administration over the attacks. Saudi Arabia
Turkey, US maintain dialogue of the deaf Ankara and Washington, both unwilling to budge over differences, can expect ties to get worse before they get better. Turkey
As Erdogan finesses Turkey-US ties, Pentagon reiterates stance on S-400s A Pentagon official urged Ankara to take action over its Russian-made S-400 missile acquisition after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed interest in restoring bilateral ties. Turkey
German court convicts ex-Syrian regime officer in historic case Eyad al-Gharib, a former low-ranking officer in Syria's intelligence services, was sentenced to four and a half years in prison for aiding and abetting crimes against humanity. Syria
US generals head to Tunisia ahead of major military exercise The Pentagon aims to bolster partnerships in North Africa with the African Lion exercise this summer. Tunisia
West-East dilemma closes in on Erdogan As Erdogan teeters between the West and the Russia-China axis, it will be his goal of securing his political future at home that determines which direction he takes. Turkey
Iran begins restricting short-notice nuclear inspections Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif tweeted that Iran has halted its implementation of the Additional Protocol. Iran
Khamenei says Iran may enrich uranium to 60% Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's comments follow Iran's announcement last month that it was enriching uranium to 20%. Iran
Erik Prince violated Libya arms embargo, UN report alleges The Blackwater founder and associates sought to buy helicopter gunships from Jordan to aid Libyan warlord Khalifa Hifter's assault on Tripoli, investigators believe. Jordan
Sullivan says US communicating with Iran on detained Americans According to White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan, the administration has "begun to communicate" with Iran over the handful of Americans held in the country. United States
