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
Hezbollah torn between local, regional roles In light of the raging regional crises, Hezbollah has been intervening outside Lebanon's border in support of its foreign allies in Syria, Iraq and elsewhere, raising controversy inside the country about the movement’s local and regional influence. Lebanon
Former US envoy: Syria may be central to Trump-Netanyahu meeting US President Donald Trump has hinted at creating safe zones in Syria in a draft executive order and in conversations with the Saudi king, while the former US ambassador to Israel says Syria will likely be a "central topic" in Trump’s upcoming meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Saudi Arabia
Saudis hopeful but wary about Trump Saudi Arabia is hopeful in regard to the Trump administration's views on Iran and closer counterterrorism and military cooperation, but remains wary on other policy issues. Legacy: Gulf
Moscow offers stage for Palestinian talks All parties involved in Palestinian-Israeli peace talks must put long-term achievements ahead of immediate gains if the problems are ever to be solved — starting with reconciliation among Palestinian factions. Palestine
The real reason Erdoganists still love Trump despite 'Muslim ban' One wonders why all this persistent sympathy for US President Donald Trump exists in Turkey’s pro-Erdogan universe. There are two answers. Turkey
Is Syria any closer to political solution after Astana talks? It remains unclear whether the Astana talks were a success or a failure, amid intransigence by the Syrian government and the opposition to keep implementing their own agendas. Syria
Iraqi teachers unsafe in own classrooms The Iraqi prime minister has called on the security forces to protect schoolteachers from attacks by their students while the parliament considers penalizing crimes against educators. Iraq
Sinai families demand probe following killings A new conflict between north Sinai residents and the Interior Ministry erupted when the latter announced the death of 10 people allegedly affiliated with Wilayat Sinai, which the residents dispute. Egypt
Does Syria really want to reconcile with Kurds? The future of Syrian Kurds is uncertain, but they have at least made it obvious that things must change. Syria
Can Hamas' Haniyeh accept Egyptian demands? During their trip to Cairo, Hamas officials heard a long list of Egyptian security demands in exchange for mending ties, and now incoming leader Ismail Haniyeh must sell the deal or be left to rule the Gaza Strip without Egypt's help. Palestine
Shiite militias open offices in Iraq's liberated Sunni areas The Popular Mobilization Units are expanding their domination in Sunni-majority areas liberated from the Islamic State, raising concerns among the local population. Iraq
Netanyahu's road to Iran runs through North Korea Israel fears that if North Korea continues to develop its nuclear arsenal, Iran will no longer agree to restraints on its nuclear program. Israel
