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
No more UN embargo on Iran, but no arms sales either Anyone who might seek to sell arms to Iran is likely in a holding pattern to see what happens in the US election and to see what Iran, in dire economic straits, can afford. United States
Hundreds of European Union lawmakers demand Egypt’s Sisi release political prisoners The letter follows a similar one addressed to Sisi by 56 members of the US Congress on Monday. Egypt
Massive war games light up Iran's skies Leaders of Iran’s armed forces said they were testing air defense preparedness in a large-scale exercise involving half of the country’s airspace. Iran
Turkey on course to strategic partnership with Ukraine Turkey’s thriving collaboration with Ukraine in key defense industry projects seems to be edging toward a strategic partnership that could challenge Russia’s standing in the Black Sea region. Turkey
Turkish forces withdraw from largest base in northeast Syria Ankara has begun pulling back forces and equipment from an observation post long surrounded by regime forces in Syria’s northeast Idlib province. Syria
Syrian extremist group in Idlib breaks with jihadist ideologue When Hayat Tahrir al-Sham was first established, it taught its members the approach of prominent jihadist ideologue Abu Mohammad al-Maqdisi, but it has now severed ties with him and recanted his ideology. Syria
12 bodies discovered in new mass graves in Libya At least 100 bodies have been discovered since the retreat of Khalifa Hifter's forces from the area earlier this year. Libya
Iran arms embargo ends with warnings from Washington US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has threatened to sanction countries that engage in weapons trade with Iran. United States
White House official traveled to Syria for secret hostage talks The Wall Street Journal first reported that Kash Patel traveled to Damascus in an effort to secure the release of Americans hostages including Austin Tice and Majd Kamalmaz. Syria
Iraqi militias defy government, expand networks and pressure Militias in Iraq are increasing their activities in response to the government's efforts to rein them in. Iraq
US drone strike kills two suspected al-Qaeda officials in Idlib The strike is believed to have killed a former member of Huras al-Din's Shura Council and a security official. Syria
Pompeo hopes Armenia can 'defend' itself from Azerbaijan Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also said that Turkey was increasing the risk of more bloodshed. Turkey
