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
Congress moves flurry of bills to counter Iran Despite the partisan divide over the nuclear deal, there is overwhelming bipartisan consensus in Congress to apply more sanctions on Tehran and its proxies. Congress
Business as usual as Iraq's foreign minister visits Moscow In meetings this week, Russian and Iraqi officials discussed energy deals, Baghdad's battle with Iraqi Kurdistan and how those topics intersect. Iraq
Turkey’s paradox in Iraq: Weaker because of a weakened Kurdistan Turkey enjoyed the influence it wielded in Iraq because of its ties with the Kurdistan Regional Government, but it would rather see the KRG fall than risk an independent Iraqi Kurdistan inspiring Turkey's Kurds to seek the same. Iraq
Raqqa mothers recount horrors of life under IS as city liberated The thousands of Syrians who fled Raqqa when it fell under the Islamic State’s control have gained an inch of hope to return to their homes after the city was recently liberated. Lebanon
How the Syrian army is working to gain control of road to Raqqa The Syrian regime army took control of Hama’s eastern countryside from the Islamic State, which opened a road toward eastern Syria and areas controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces. Syria
Syrian opposition 'interim government' takes control of Bab al-Salameh border crossing The Free Syrian Army has handed over the administration of the Bab al-Salameh border crossing with Turkey to the co-called Syrian Interim Government, in what could positively impact the opposition on many levels. Syria
Hamas backtracks on charter changes Bellicose statements by some Hamas leaders appear to suggest the organizations' new leadership is tossing aside recent changes to its charter. Palestine
US welcomes Kurdish backpedaling The United States sees a way out of the political crisis between Baghdad and Erbil as the Kurdistan Regional Government offers to suspend the results of its independence referendum and open dialogue. Iraq
Pentagon says Iraqi flight ban won’t impact US military assistance to Kurds US arms are getting through to the peshmerga, but crucial aid contractors are getting held up. Iraq
Abadi, Erdogan meet to form Kurdistan game plan Iraq's prime minister met with Turkey's president in Ankara today to solidify joint support for Baghdad as it battles to keep the Kurdistan region under Iraqi control. Iraq
Trump undermines Iranian debate on economic role of IRGC Rather than isolating the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Trump administration’s targeting of the organization in effect stymies ongoing attempts to curtail its role within the Iranian economy. Iran
Are Netanyahu, Liberman pushing Israel to war? Instead of Israel’s traditional discrete approach on retaliating fire from the north, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman are multiplying their provocative declarations. Israel
