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
Russia’s strategic vision for Israel Russia considers itself a potential major partner to Israel and a key player in bringing stabilization to the Middle East. Palestine
Erdogan caught between Trump, Putin in Syria war The Turkish government's spokesman says al-Bab will be the last stop of the Turkish army in Syria, while President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says Turkish forces will march on to Raqqa. Syria
Turkey wants safe zone, but can it maintain one? The US president is listening to Turkey’s continuing calls for a "safe zone" in northern Syria, but resistance to it is still strong, as all is not quiet in the areas already under Turkish control. Syria
Why is Jordan shifting its Syria strategy? Jordan has joined the Astana process and is signaling a change in its position toward Damascus. Jordan
Syrian actors look for fresh start in Egypt Dozens of Syrian actors who were forced to leave Syria because of the conflict are trying to reassemble their lives and careers in Egypt. Egypt
Iran chooses Quds Force stalwart for new ambassador to Iraq Iran has appointed a senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps official and Quds Force adviser to be its new ambassador in Iraq, raising concerns that Iran plans to strengthen Iraq's Shiite militias in the post-Islamic State era. Iraq
Turkey’s Euphrates Shield reaches critical juncture Will Turkish army advance to Raqqa, try to hold on to al-Bab or end the operation and go back to Turkey? Syria
Turkey walks fine line in dealing with 'frenemy' jihadis Turkey’s mixed messages in crackdown terrorist groups; Ankara on sidelines, again, in Syria; Syrian Kurds consider federalism, view Turkish attack on al-Bab as "fiasco." Syria
How close are we to a solution in Syria? As the Syrian Democratic Forces launch a new phase in the operation to liberate the city of Raqqa from Islamic State control, many questions remain about the military and political situation on the ground. Syria
Trump no savior for Iraq's Christian minority Many Iraqi minorities supported Donald Trump's candidacy for president, but his visa ban has changed minds. Iraq
The colonels shaping Trump's Middle East policy Who’s who in the Trump NSC: The retired military intelligence officers who helped David Petraeus with the surge in Iraq are now shaping policies for a president who says the United States should have never invaded Iraq. Iraq
All eyes on Pompeo as CIA chief arrives in Ankara Though Turkish hopes for a closer US alliance are soaring as CIA Director Mike Pompeo meets with top Ankara officials, it's unlikely that the US administration will agree to weaken its ties to the Kurdish groups it depends on badly in Syria. Syria
