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
Trump's generals wonder: What comes after Raqqa? A senior US official says Turkish bombing of Syrian Kurdish forces is adding a new level of complexity to US efforts to defeat the Islamic State and retake Raqqa. Iraq
Saudis seek renewed relations with US under Trump The Saudis want US President Donald Trump to reconsider policies made during the Obama administration, especially regarding Iran, which they say has not changed its conduct since the nuclear deal. Saudi Arabia
How Iraqis view Iran’s influence in their country Iranian statements on the role of Iraqi armed groups in protecting Iranian national interests are a violation of Iraq’s national sovereignty, Iraqi officials say. Iraq
Israel to launch major project to block Hamas tunnels Israel has notified Hamas about the work it plans to start this summer to block the tunnels in the Gaza Strip, in the hope that Hamas will not use this move in order to reopen a military front. Palestine
Is Turkey trying to disrupt Raqqa operation? In the lead-up to President Erdogan's Washington visit next month, Turkey's recent air attacks in Syria and Iraq might be a message that Turkey intends to play a more involved role in those countries. Iraq
YPG, Turkish forces exchange fire on Syrian border The diplomatic fallout from Turkey’s deadly airstrikes against Kurdish militants is growing as Turkey reacts angrily to US rebukes. Syria
How North Korea nuke crisis affects Israel Israeli intelligence believes that North Korea, Syria and Iran are collaborating on the development of missile systems and nuclear programs. Israel
Egypt ripped at Senate foreign aid hearing Senators urged to rethink $1.5 billion annual US aid package to Egypt as the country fails to progress in human rights. Egypt
Kurds call on US to set up no-fly zone after Turkish attacks Expect US-Turkey tensions to rise after the Turkish air force attacked Kurdish militants in Iraq’s Sinjar region and northeastern Syria just as the US-led coalition presses its offensive against IS in Raqqa. Syria
Who in Israel decides who must enlist in the army? Israel allows Orthodox men and women to avoid IDF drafting, but imprisons conscientious objectors who refuse to enlist in the occupation army. Palestine
Abbas versus Barghouti, Round 2 Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is furious at Fatah activists who called for a Day of Rage five days before he is scheduled to meet with US President Donald Trump. Palestine
Will Iraqi government-PMU disputes spiral into armed clashes? With the Islamic State nearly defeated in Iraqi cities, disputes between PMU-affiliated Shiite factions and the Iraqi government have surfaced, threatening future military clashes between them. Qatar
