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
Turkey in uproar over McGurk The Turkish media's outlandish attacks on US envoy Brett McGurk hint at the anxiety in Ankara over US relations with Syrian Kurds. Syria
Iran outflanking Saudi Arabia in Yemen Saudi Arabia's war on Yemen has allowed Iran more influence than ever in the region. Saudi Arabia
Syrian regime says it's time for the displaced to return Hundreds of people displaced from al-Waer neighborhood in Homs, Syria, have now left the Zoghra camp outside of Aleppo and returned to the regime-controlled Homs. Syria
Rival Libyan leaders agree to elections, but challenges remain Although neither yet recognizes the other’s legitimacy, Libya’s military strongman Khalifa Hifter and Fayez al-Sarraj, the prime minister of the Tripoli-based government, agreed during a meeting in France to hold elections in a bid to end the country's conflict. Libya
Despite probe, questions remain after Syrians die in Lebanese custody Four Syrians detained by the Lebanese army in a raid on Syrian refugee camps in Arsal died less than 48 hours into their detention, thus raising questions about the reason behind their deaths, as several photos showed signs of torture on their bodies. Lebanon
Netanyahu’s legacy: Dividing Jews and uniting Arabs Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's handling in the recent Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif crisis threatens to turn the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from a nationalist struggle into a religious conflagration. Palestine
Maliki’s visit to Moscow reflects many facets Iraq’s vice president may have had upcoming elections and Iranian influence in mind when he visited Moscow recently. Iraq
Pentagon says US-backed forces have almost surrounded Raqqa Pentagon officials say the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces have liberated about half of the Islamic State stronghold of Raqqa. Syria
Ankara decries ‘provocative’ remarks by US anti-IS envoy Turkey continues to be concerned about the relationship between the United States and the Syrian Kurds. Iraq
US, NATO wait to see if Russia-Turkey defense deal goes through Turkey’s recent move to acquire a Russian S-400 missile defense system has raised eyebrows in the United States, as Moscow looks on with a smile. Turkey
Does Turkey face day of reckoning with al-Qaeda in Idlib? Al-Qaeda affiliate gains upper hand in northern Syrian city; Turkey’s shameful show trial of independent journalists part of “vicious crackdown.” Syria
Disputed territories pose major challenge to Kurdish referendum The upcoming Iraqi Kurdistan’s referendum will include the disputed territories, but given the practical and technical challenges, holding the referendum on Sept. 25 will be highly unlikely. Iraq
