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
Iran brushes off being 'put on notice' Iranian officials are downplaying threatening and critical remarks by the Trump administration, calling them “hollow threats.” United States
How quarrel over tobacco sent Libya into darkness A recent electricity blackout in most of western Libya caused by a local militia dispute has contributed to the new normal of major power cuts and a failing national electricity grid in the country. Libya
PA warns of danger if Israel annexes West Bank settlement Believing it will deal a fatal blow to any future peace process, the Palestinian Authority has warned of escalation if Israel annexes the Ma'ale Adumim settlement in the West Bank to Jerusalem. Palestine
What will Trump era mean for Gaza? The Palestinians paid close attention to the inauguration speech of US President Donald Trump, who promised to eliminate radical Islam — something Hamas took personally. Palestine
White House warns Iran on missile test, but signals intent to enforce nuclear deal Trump national security aides warned Iran against missile tests and its support for Yemen’s Houthi rebels, but said they were drawing a line between Iran’s regional behavior and the Iran nuclear deal. Yemen
What the US stands to lose by alienating Morocco After Donald Trump's election, abrupt and extreme changes in US policy threaten its relationship with longtime ally Morocco. Morocco
Turkish-Greek standoff over Aegean islets continues Disagreements over the fate of suspected Gulenist officers in Greece and the status of disputed Aegean Sea islands continue to chill Turkish-Greek relations. Syria
Jordan eyes center stage in Russia’s anti-terrorism policy Jordan's King Abdullah, who visited Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow last week and is in Washington this week, could become a key intermediary between Russia and the Trump administration. Jordan
Iranian president calls Trump 'novice in politics' Iran’s defense minister has confirmed the reports of a new Iranian missile test, saying it is not in violation of the nuclear deal. United States
Turkey squeezed between Russia, US in Syria US President Donald Trump’s safe zones idea and Russia’s draft constitution get cold reactions from Ankara. Syria
Is a bromance brewing between Sudan, the Saudis? Egypt gets the cold shoulder while Saudi Arabia helps get some US sanctions lifted from Sudan, and Khartoum remains committed to the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen. Saudi Arabia
Could submarine scandal blow up in Netanyahu’s face? A private report by Zionist Camp Knesset member Erel Margalit claims that the submarine purchase affair and the possible involvement of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu run much deeper than preliminary revelations in the press. Israel
