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
Has PKK reached impasse in Turkey, Syria? Turkey was shaken by two recent terror acts by PKK-affiliates that killed some 60 people. What is the strategy of the Kurdish movement, and is that strategy sustainable in Turkey and Syria? Syria
Pressure mounts on PKK over Sinjar presence The United States, Iraqi Kurdistan, Turkey and Iraq have all expressed their strong opposition to the presence of the Kurdistan Workers Party in northern Iraq's Sinjar. Iraq
Will Turkey's economic crisis doom presidential system? Turkey seems to be on the cusp of a stormy 2017, as a failing economy and the drive for a presidential regime threaten to increase its already high economic and political risks. Turkey
Would Putin accept Turkish buffer zone in Syria? Heavy casualties at al-Bab and the recently released video of IS' burning alive of two Turkish soldiers have not affected Turkey’s Operation Euphrates Shield. Syria
Christmas brings hope for peace for Aleppo’s Christians Christians part of region’s DNA, said incoming UN secretary-general; Turkey’s “impossible war”; Erdogan backers blame Iran for Aleppo. Egypt
KRG PM: Talk of Iraqi Kurdish independence red line for Iran, but not Turkey In an extensive interview with Al-Monitor at his office in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani speaks about the battle for Mosul, relations with Baghdad and Ankara, and aspirations for independence. Iraq
Why is Israel allowing armored jeeps into the West Bank? After a four-year ban, Israel has now agreed to allow the Palestinian Authority to import armored vehicles in light of the deteriorating internal security situation in the West Bank, which worries the PA. Palestine
Erdogan claims Turkey in 'greatest struggle' since independence In his latest speech, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan invoked a traumatic memory for Turks, the Treaty of Sevres, in a move calculated to appeal to his nationalist supporters. Syria
Why Ankara now feels vulnerable to Russia The assassination of the Russian ambassador in Ankara has engaged Turkey to the Russian option in Syria, while Russia sees it as an opportunity to create an alternative axis in the Middle East Syria
Could ambassador's slaying bring about Russian-Turkish cooperation? Russian and Turkish cooperation in the battle against terrorism could help bring about a more stable Middle East. Syria
Questions arise about large Palestinian security budget The budget of the Palestinian security forces is being questioned, and attempts are being made by the United States to cut it back. Palestine
Is Egypt's Sisi losing Coptic support? Following the attack on Cairo’s largest Coptic church, Egyptian Copts held demonstrations condemning President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and his administration for failing to protect them, although others maintain their support. Egypt
