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
A perilous journey home for Raqqa residents In the former self-proclaimed capital of the Islamic State, two months after the end of the battle, Raqqa residents are already attempting to rebuild their war-battered city — a colossal challenge that has also proven to be lethal. Syria
Syria’s internally displaced in dire need of aid Amid the lack of basic services in the camps for displaced people in Aleppo’s northern countryside, officials are calling on local and humanitarian organizations to step up and provide aid. Syria
Russian-Egyptian military cooperation on the rise Russia and Egypt have recently signed an agreement on the shared use of air bases, amid other signs of strengthening military ties. Egypt
Sinai tribes say IS’ end is near in the area In an interview with Al-Monitor, the head of the Sinai Tribal Union discussed a future Sinai free of Wilayat Sinai and developing through investment. Egypt
Houthis broach talks after Saleh slain, but war continues Yemen's civil war demonstrates that despotism leads to more of the same, no matter who's in power. Saudi Arabia
Trump’s Jerusalem move accelerates Fatah succession war Rivals of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas within the Fatah movement are using the US president's Jerusalem proclamation to advance themselves ahead of the succession battle. Palestine
Will Bahrain, Israel establish formal relations in 2018? Bahrain could become the first Gulf Cooperation Council member to establish official diplomatic and trade relations with Israel, though this may largely depend on the GCC states' response to the Jerusalem crisis. United Arab Emirates
Russia seeks well-rounded relations with Libyan factions Russian envoy on Libya Lev Dengov talks with Al-Monitor about Moscow's plans with Libya. Libya
Turkey backtracking on 'red lines' for Syria's Kurds President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has reportedly agreed to accept Kurdish participation at the Syria congress in Sochi, as long as those Kurds do not belong to the Democratic Union Party. Syria
Palestinians reject US mediation Palestinian leadership was shocked by US President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Palestine
US envoy to the UN points finger at Iran in Yemen war Ambassador Nikki Haley vowed a tough US response after displaying what she called “concrete evidence” that Iran provided missiles that Houthi rebels used to target Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
