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
While thousands flee west Mosul, some Iraqi families vow to hang on Despite the dangerous situation in Mosul, many residents are choosing to stay in their homes as the fighting to retake the rest of the city continues. Iraq
The story behind Brotherhood’s low-key lobbying before Sisi state visit As Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi arrives in Washington to meet US President Donald Trump, a previously unpublished document reveals the behind-the-scenes efforts made by the Muslim Brotherhood to keep from being labeled a terrorist group in the United States. Egypt
The human cost of the siege of Sanaa Although the Houthis are currently economically besieged, it is clear that human costs of draining sources of income of the rebel group is higher than what most Yemenis can handle. Yemen
How these Syrians went from opposition fighters to pro-regime militiamen Some former members of the Free Syrian Army in southern Syria formed their own group that fights alongside the Syrian regime. Israel
Did the US, Turkey reach understanding on Assad? Turkey declares an end to Syrian military intervention; alarm over possible US military support to Gulf coalition in Yemen war. Legacy: Gulf
Did Tillerson's visit to Turkey relieve tensions? It is still unclear whether US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s highly anticipated visit to Ankara had a positive impact on Turkey-US relations. Turkey
How will Abadi handle Iraq’s Shiite militias? Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi faces a great challenge in dealing with the predominately Shiite Popular Mobilization Units fighting in Iraq, as some of its factions are refusing to be integrated into the army and other security forces. Iraq
Despite talk of good relations, security concerns darken Egypt-Sudan ties Though both sides seem to be trying to downplay the conflicts, Egypt-Sudan relations remain far from friendly as Sudan accuses the Egyptian regime of supporting Sudanese rebels and Egypt accuses Sudan of hosting terror training camps. Egypt
Critics say operation to take port could spell more catastrophe for Yemen As the Trump administration considers providing support for a UAE/Saudi operation to take a Yemeni port, some UN, former US officials warn it could tip Yemen into famine. Saudi Arabia
Congress raises alarm over US confrontation with Yemen's Houthis House members want the legislative branch to sign off before any escalation against the Iran-backed group. Saudi Arabia
Tillerson leaves Ankara with no new enemies — or friends The US secretary of state seems to have made little progress on his first official trip to Turkey, where Rex Tillerson is believed to have confirmed the administration’s decision to press ahead with plans to capture Raqqa with the help of the Kurdish-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces. Turkey
Will US keep military bases in Iraq after IS? The Iraqi prime minister's recent visit to the United States indicates both parties are interested in maintaining a US presence in Iraq after the Islamic State is forced out. However, Iran-backed militias strongly oppose the idea. Iraq
