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
Remaining civilians flee booby-trapped, sniper-infested west Mosul As Iraqi forces clear the recently liberated Zinjili neighborhood in western Mosul, the civilians who are finally leaving now find themselves caught in the crossfire. Iraq
'Day of the locusts' in Syria's Idlib A swarm of locusts have destroyed an estimated 60% of crops in Idlib province, threatening the livelihoods of thousands of residents. Syria
Syrian war has reshaped Ramadan for many Since the Syrian regime lost control of Idlib in 2015, the city has become a melting pot of Ramadan traditions, as residents and refugees adapt to new lives. Syria
Egypt's parliament working with Sisi to finalize islands transfer Despite a court ruling against the transfer of the islands of Tiran and Sanafir to Saudi Arabia, the Egyptian government is working to secure parliamentary approval of the deal. Saudi Arabia
Mixed messages since US-Saudi-Islamic summit prove costly Is the United States missing an opportunity with Iran in the war against the Islamic State? Turkey, Hamas deal with fallout from Qatar dispute; Al-Monitor had the jump on “secret” US-Russia talks on Syria. Saudi Arabia
How Moscow-Riyadh rapport fits into the Mideast scene With all that’s going on in the Gulf right now, some players are re-examining their alliances and shoring up support. Saudi Arabia
Iraq, Qatar grow closer in wake of Gulf crisis Following the tension between Qatar and Saudi Arabia, the relationship between Iraq and Qatar has become strong and many Iraqi politicians support Qatar against Saudi Arabia. Legacy: Gulf
Turkish military will protect Qatari regime if necessary Ankara revealed a hard stance in the Qatar crisis by fast-tracking legislation that sends Turkish troops there to control protests and confront internal security threats. Saudi Arabia
Iran wakes up to Salafi recruitment in Kurdish regions Will the terrorist attacks in Tehran be a wake-up call about the rise of Salafism in Iranian Kurdistan? And will they be the beginning of a sectarian war at home? Iran
PMU wants to take over Baghdad’s security The Popular Mobilization Units and their political blocs demand that the security of the capital be handed to the PMU and that the Baghdad Operations Command be disbanded for its failure to maintain security. Iraq
Ghouta residents suffer under siege during Ramadan As the regime continues to impose its siege on eastern Ghouta, thousands of trapped residents are making do with the limited supply of food available and depending on NGOs to get them through the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Syria
Syrian regime clears last IS bastion in Aleppo province The Syrian regime is closing in on the Islamic State in Aleppo, while securing a foothold in Raqqa’s outskirts, where US-backed rebels launched their offensive to liberate the city. Syria
