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
Do minorities have role in Iraqi national reconciliation? Iraqi minorities and civil society complain that the recently announced national reconciliation project does not include their voices and neglects their demands. Iraq
Turkey upbeat, nervous as first civilian convoy evacuates Aleppo Turkish media outlets across the political spectrum are reporting on the evacuation of the first group of residents from eastern Aleppo with hope, but also apprehension. Syria
What the 'Russian lobby' in Ankara wants A group of so-called Eurasianists are again whispering to Ankara that Turkey's future lies with Russia and China and have outlined a plan for severing ties with Europe. Russia
How will Tunisia confront jihadis coming home? Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi sparked controversy when he said that authorities will not arrest jihadis that return to the country after fighting abroad. Iraq
With IS expelled from Libya's Sirte, what comes next? Libya's GNA-backed Misrata fighters disposed of IS in Sirte, staking its claim as a politically dominant force in the fractured country. Libya
Outrage over Istanbul bombing turns anti-Kurdish The swift crackdown on Kurdish and pro-Kurdish activists by the Turkish government following the Istanbul bombing has set off a nationalist, anti-Kurdish frenzy in Turkey. Turkey
Why do Turks blame the West for PKK terror? Conspiracy theories aside, Turks can be forgiven for thinking that Western support for Syrian Kurds is essentially support for the Turkish Kurdistan Workers Party. Iraq
Ankara points fingers as civilians stuck in Aleppo despite cease-fire Following reports that regime forces are blocking the evacuation of tens of thousands of civilians from Aleppo, Ankara is accusing the Syrian regime and Shiite militias of attempting to sabotage the cease-fire Turkey brokered between Russia and opposition rebels. Syria
Russian dominance in Syria is a double-edged sword for Israel In an interview with Al-Monitor, an Israeli security official discussed the effects of Russia now setting the tone in Syria and explained Israel's complex relations with Russia in its northern front. Israel
Fighting in Aleppo makes headlines in Tehran Conservative news outlets in Iran celebrate victories of the Syrian army in Aleppo. Syria
Al-Bab shaping up as more trouble for Turkey Islamic State fighters have dug in around al-Bab, reportedly digging trenches and preparing suicide bombers, as Turkish forces bombard their positions. Syria
Turkish state 'out for revenge' after Istanbul bombings Ankara promises revenge after the deadly twin bombing attacks hit Istanbul last weekend. Syria
