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
Creeping offensives, truces spread tensions in south Syrian rebel ranks Syria's Southern Front forces, which face threats from the Islamic State and the government from various directions, have so far managed to hold their ground in the Daraa area despite government offensives and truces that pressure local communities into agreements with the Assad government. Syria
Christian minority in Iraq seeks autonomy in post-Mosul Iraq What do Iraqi Christians expect from the post-Islamic State era? Iraq
Turkey is about to find out if more people are safe when armed Many members of Turkey's Justice and Development Party are buying and carrying weapons without knowing how to use them. Turkey
What is Turkey up to in northern Syria? As Turkey advances in northern Syria as part of its Euphrates Shield offensive, taking control of al-Bab and Manbij would give Ankara access to the Aleppo front. Iraq
Who was behind plot to assassinate Fatah leaders? News was leaked to the media about the arrest of cell members who were plotting to assassinate three Fatah leaders, although the Palestinian security services will not reveal details on the case before the investigation process is complete. Palestine
Where does US-Tunisian military cooperation end? Tunisians are opposed to the US-Tunisian military cooperation under the pretext of fighting terrorism, claiming that it undermines the country’s sovereignty and independence. Libya
Refugee camp clashes increase as Palestinian security steps up raids The West Bank is becoming more volatile as security services continue to raid refugee camps in operations the Palestinian Authority is trying to keep quiet. Palestine
Can Iran pull Turkey, Iraq away from brink of war? Despite its tensions with Turkey, Tehran is well-positioned to bring Ankara and Baghdad closer amid their escalating war of words — but could Iran be successful in this endeavor? Iraq
Israel's defense minister offers Palestinians big stick, tiny carrots Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman's "carrot-and-stick" plan promises Palestinians big punishments alongside negligible benefits, very much like the policies of the European colonial powers in Africa. Palestine
Don’t expect IS fighters to flee en masse to Syria The logistics of the battle for Mosul and beyond don’t point conclusively to the Islamic State taking the fight into Syria next. Iraq
Is Yemen headed for partition? An open-ended cease-fire is needed for Yemen, but a de facto partition of the country is more likely. Saudi Arabia
How Turkey’s AKP undid its legacy on 'Kurdish question' President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has ended up reverting back to the "Old Turkey" concepts that he had criticized for years. Turkey
