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 demands Trump action on Syria after Idlib gas attack The president is under fire for backing off Obama's regime change policy. Syria
Anger in Ankara over Iraqi Kurdish independence moves Given its close ties with the Kurdistan Regional Government, which it needs for economic, political and security interests, Turkey’s objections to Iraqi Kurdish plans remain low key, but a crisis between the sides may nevertheless be looming. Iraq
Iranian media reacts to Russia subway bombing Iranian media outlets speculate that IS and other militant groups are taking revenge on Russia following their defeats in Iraq and Syria. Syria
'Inhuman' chemical attack tests Turkey's relations with Russia An apparent chemical attack has ravaged a small rebel-held Syrian town and Turkey has found itself in the middle of the aftermath, torn between supporting anti-Assad rebels and its need to ally with Russia. Syria
Dismissed Fatah leader rules out reconciliation with Abbas In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, Mohammed Dahlan confirmed that reconciliation efforts with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas are currently stalled and warned that Abbas' internal weakness would reflect the fragility of his political position vis-a-vis the Israelis. Palestine
Can Turkey afford new battlefront in Iraq? Turkey has labeled Operation Euphrates Shield a "success" and put it to bed, leaving observers to wonder about the Turkish military's next ambitions. Syria
Was Rouhani’s visit to Russia actually successful? Although Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's visit to Moscow resulted in his signing numerous cooperation agreements, the main purpose may have been less about substance and more about show. Russia
Trump welcomes Egypt’s Sisi 'as is' US President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi seem to hit it off at the White House, but will Trump come through on the funding Sisi wants? Palestine
What’s going on in Turkey’s prisons? Hunger strikes in Turkish prisons, joined briefly by the country’s top Kurdish politician, aim to draw attention to mounting allegations of ill-treatment and other violations of inmate rights since last year’s coup attempt. Turkey
Operation Euphrates Shield: A postmortem As Turkey closes the chapter on Operation Euphrates Shield, its military intervention in northern Syria, it's important to look at what it did and did not accomplish. Syria
Is there a road to Raqqa for Turkey? Syria won't be the only country affected by the fate of Raqqa, as Turkey's hopes for involvement dwindle. Syria
Hamas factions quarrel over vengeance for commander's death Outgoing Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal has vowed to avenge the killing of military leader Mazen Faqha; this may provoke Hamas into another round of violent conflict with Israel. Palestine
