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
Syrians in Turkey baffled by Trump’s safe zones plan A state of confusion and uncertainty prevails among Syrians living in Turkey, after the announcement by US President Donald Trump at the end of last month of his decision to create safe zones for civilians in Syria. Syria
Iraqi forces prepare to retake western Mosul Iraqi forces are prepping to liberate densely populated western Mosul from the Islamic State, which is expected to put up a fierce fight. Iraq
Why king’s visit to Washington was essential for Jordan King Abdullah’s visit to the United States, where he met with President Donald Trump, helped reassure Jordanians that US military and economic support for the kingdom will continue. Palestine
Hamas leader: Gaza won't harbor individuals who 'aim to harm Egypt' Deputy head of Hamas’ political bureau Mousa Abu Marzouk told Al-Monitor that Hamas does "not interfere in Egypt's security affairs" and said some countries had contacted the movement to discuss a prisoner swap deal with Israel. Palestine
Is Turkey being snowed by flurry of fake defense news? Turkey's news media have been overloaded with exaggerated and at times improbable defense industry and security reports serving as political propaganda for the government. Turkey
Armed Iraqi factions threaten to target Americans in response to travel ban While the Iraqi government cautiously follows up on the impacts of the US executive order to ban Iraqis from the United States, some Shiite militias threaten to target Americans in Iraq in response to the new US policy. Iraq
Why GCC has been silent on Trump's 'Muslim ban' Gulf states have failed to criticize the Trump administration for its recent "Muslim ban" in an attempt to keep the new US administration on their side in light of the economic and security challenge the Gulf region faces. Legacy: Gulf
Is Erdogan’s Syria policy slipping through his fingers? Syrian Kurds may dash Turkish president’s expectations for US President Donald Trump. Syria
Radical sheikh still wields influence from Lebanese prison A suspect in the failed Jan. 21 suicide attack on a Beirut coffee house has reportedly admitted to being a homegrown terrorist aligned with the Islamic State and a follower of Salafist Sheikh Ahmad al-Assir. Lebanon
Desperate Palestinian leadership could choose armed struggle With the Trump administration clearly on Israel’s side, Palestinian leadership might resort, once again, to armed struggle. Palestine
Sundance Film Festival shines light on Aleppo The documentary "Last Men in Aleppo," which captured the suffering of the city's residents in the Syrian civil war, was honored with a top award at the Sundance Film Festival. Syria
Will Mosul see peace post-Islamic State? While the number of internally displaced persons returning to Mosul has increased significantly recently, the city's residents wonder when they can live in peace again. Iraq
