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
Putin, Trump follow winding path to latest Syria agreement Logistic challenges apparently detoured a definitive Washington-Moscow statement on Syria, but haven't derailed it — so far. Syria
Key Iraqi border town retaken amid regional power plays With the liberation of the city of Qaim, along Iraq’s westernmost border with Syria, IS has been eliminated almost completely from Iraqi territory. Iraq
Rabin’s forgotten plan for two-state solution Between 1993 and 1995, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin had developed a vision for a permanent status agreement that is still espoused by many veterans of the Israeli security establishment. Palestine
Iran taking Saudi rhetoric, actions seriously The Saudi-Iranian clash that has Lebanon swirling in the middle could spiral out of control. Saudi Arabia
Kurds divided over blame for loss of Kirkuk The recapture of Kirkuk by Iraqi forces in the aftermath of the independence referendum is a heavy blow for Kurds in Iran, Syria and Turkey. Iraq
Arab Knesset member ready for challenges of defense committee appointment Arab Knesset member Issawi Frej is preparing for his appointment to the Israeli Knesset's prestigious Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, expecting criticism and skepticism from both Jews and Arabs alike. Palestine
Congress deepens US-Israel missile alliance Congress’ annual defense bill tops Trump budget request by $500 million amid rising Iranian threat. Israel
Turkey PM tries to reset relations with Washington Turkey Prime Minister Binali Yildirim met with Vice President Mike Pence on Nov. 9 on a visit to Washington meant to try to ease strained US-Turkish ties, but the obstacles to improved relations are difficult to overcome. Turkey
Iran drawing closer to Azerbaijan Long marred by political tensions largely driven by Iranian suspicions of Azerbaijan’s ties with Israel, relations between Baku and Tehran are beginning to reach new heights. Iran
Arab-Israelis fear new bill to increase security guards' powers A bill initiated by Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan aimed at enlarging security guards’ responsibilities has sparked fear among Israeli-Arab bus drivers of an increase in violence against them. Israel
Russia, Oman size each other up as potential Mideast allies Despite a challenging history, Russia finds common ground with Oman, which sometimes seems the "odd man out" in the Gulf. Oman
Syria conflict takes its toll on Golan Druze While the Syrian war has taken quite a toll on Syrian Druze in the occupied Golan Heights, some of the Druze fear Israel could use them as a pretext for expanding cross-border military moves. Palestine
