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
Turkey: Winner or loser in Syria? There is unfortunately every indicator that terror will continue to hit Turkey in force during 2017. Syria
How Israel's populist politicians campaigned for Hebron shooter The family of Sgt. Elor Azaria was hoping that a populist right-wing campaign in support of their son would save him from conviction over the fatal shooting of a wounded Palestinian assailant. Israel
Will improved ties with Russia make Turkey regional player? Not everyone close to the government thinks developing relations with Russia to counterbalance tense ties with the West is the right way to go. Syria
Smell of death fills Mosul The bodies of Islamic State fighters lie in the streets of the liberated areas of Mosul, which is causing concern about the physical and psychological well-being of the city's residents. Iraq
New marine force in Gaza has Israel on guard Hamas' Interior Ministry in the Gaza Strip has announced the formation of new marine force tasked with protecting Gaza’s shores from smuggling operations, but Israel views the new military branch as part of the resistance. Palestine
Is Hamas producing weapons in the West Bank? Israel is concerned by discoveries of large weapons workshops and militant cells over the past year in the West Bank. Palestine
Will Israel really halt civil coordination with Palestinian Authority? In response to UN Resolution 2334, Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman issued a decision to halt civil and political coordination with the Palestinian Authority, which the Palestinians perceived as mere media hype. Palestine
Russia pleased with deepening US-Turkey rift over Syria Russia is cleverly filling the void created by the estrangement between the United States and Turkey. Syria
Turkey brandishes Incirlik card to threaten US Turkish officials are hinting at denying US access to the Incirlik Air Base unless Washington halts its support for Syrian Kurds and begins to provide air support for Turkish troops in Syria. Iraq
How Istanbul nightclub attack was linked to Turkey’s culture war Did the Islamic State target “the apostate Turkish government” or New Year's Eve? The answer is complex. Turkey
Israel divided over conviction of Hebron IDF shooter The conviction of IDF soldier Elor Azaria for shooting to death a wounded Palestinian assailant sends the message to the radicalizing Israeli society that the IDF will not accept such behavior amid its ranks. Israel
Why is Baghdad removing checkpoints during security crisis? While barriers and checkpoints deployed across Baghdad are being removed, a series of terrorist attacks occurring in the capital recently raises many concerns about the government's ability to prevent violence. Iraq
