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
Who's fighting whom in Iraq's Sinjar? After KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani warned that the KRG may resort to force to expel the Kurdistan Workers Party from Sinjar, tensions rose in the region. Iraq
How Netanyahu failed IDF battle of ethics While IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot defended the verdict against the soldier who shot a wounded Palestinian assailant, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered only feeble support of the army’s leader. Palestine
Jerusalem terror: Palestinian intifada or Islamic State attack? The truck attack in Jerusalem indicates that the Palestinian intifada has no rules, framework or commanding hierarchy. Palestine
Iran, Iraq seek to send a message with joint naval exercises In a clear message to the Gulf countries of the Iranian influence, Iraqi forces with Iranian support are conducting military maneuvers in the Persian Gulf and the Iraqi land border with the Saudi. Legacy: Gulf
Is Iran following Russia’s lead in Syria? Russian diplomatic blitz on Syria includes building bridges between Iran and Turkey. Syria
Can public outcry in southern Iraq end Maliki’s political ambitions? Nouri al-Maliki, the former prime minister who now is one of Iraq’s vice presidents, was faced with demonstrations staged by angry residents of the three southern provinces he was visiting as part of an early effort to increase his chances of returning to power in local and parliamentary elections slated for 2018. Iraq
Does New Year's nightclub attack signal tough year ahead for Turkey? As transnational networks of the Islamic State come under increasing pressure in Iraq and Syria, they are likely to shift to Turkey, while Ankara still gives priority to the Kurdistan Workers Party. Iraq
Three reasons the Islamic State is focused on Turkey While the Islamic State intensifies its activity throughout Turkey, questions are raised as to whether Middle Eastern wars are now engulfing Turkey. Syria
Nightclub attack brings Turkey's IS battle to domestic soil The Istanbul nightclub attack on New Year’s Eve has made Turkey's security deficiencies painfully clear. Turkey
Why did Oman join Saudi Arabia’s anti-terrorism alliance? Oman joins the 40-member Islamic Military Alliance to Fight Terrorism, yet still strikes a balance while refusing to distance itself from Iran in order to please Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
What has King Salman achieved in his two-year reign? Saudi Arabia's plan to transform the kingdom by the year 2030 will not be realized until the war on Yemen stops. Saudi Arabia
Car bomb strikes Turkey's Izmir The Turkish city of Izmir has become the latest target in a spate of terror attacks. Turkey
