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
Is Manbij the latest Kurdish poke in Erdogan's eye? Erdogan's plan to contain Kurds suffers a setback as Manbij on Syria's northern border with Turkey declares itself a self-governed canton. Syria
Turkey determined to test NATO Turkey’s bargaining with Russia for the S-400 air defense system raises a number of military issues, the least of which being that the system is incompatible with NATO's defense structure. Turkey
Mubarak's release draws mixed reactions in Egypt While supporters of former President Hosni Mubarak celebrated his release, others in Egypt lament that many activists still languish behind prison bars. Egypt
What’s Chechnya doing in Syria? Russia is finding the Republic of Chechnya’s influence to be very helpful in Syria. Syria
Idlib — more than Raqqa — may be decisive Syria fault line Russian-Turkish agreement under strain in key northern city. Iraq
Saudis jump on Trump bandwagon After a deep disillusionment with the United States during Obama’s terms in office, the Saudis are now looking toward a better relationship with the Trump administration. Saudi Arabia
Iraqi federal police forces take on key role in west Mosul Federal police forces are playing a crucial role in the liberation of Mosul, which will give them an opportunity to maintain security in the city after completing the liberation. Iraq
Congress takes aim at Iran's ballistic missiles The House and Senate have wrapped up sanctions legislation just in time for AIPAC confab. Congress
Is Turkey rattled by Russian-Kurdish deal? Turkey may feel its already tenuous footing in Syria slipping now that Russian troops have arrived in Afrin, after making a pact with the Kurds. Syria
Aleppo's displaced face another crisis in Idlib The Syrian regime is intensifying its assault on Idlib and its countryside, where civilians are falling victim after fleeing death in Aleppo and other areas in Syria. Syria
Congress reintroduces Syria sanctions The House Foreign Affairs panel is expected to take up the bill promptly, but its fate is uncertain in the Senate. Syria
Iraq’s Sunnis eye post-IS future under regional cover Under Arab and international sponsorship, Iraq’s Sunni leaders recently attended a conference in Turkey to discuss the future of Sunnis in post-IS Iraq, with the conference sparking Shiite outrage and dissent among other Sunni officials opposed to the Turkish role in Iraq. Iraq
