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
The billion-dollar deal that is stirring up Israeli army Senior IDF officers say that Israel should not have purchased three new submarines from Germany, but rather invested the money in air and ground defense. Israel
How Netanyahu is keeping secret his move to help Palestinians Israel's failure to publicize a decision that benefits the Palestinians shows just how preoccupied Israel’s right-wing government is about a settler backlash. Palestine
Why 30 Palestinians celebrated Jewish holiday with settlers After a group of Palestinians accepted the invitation to celebrate the Sukkot holiday with residents of Efrat settlement, four of them were arrested by the Palestinian security service. Palestine
The man behind potential breakthrough in Hamas-Egypt ties Hamas and Egypt appear to be adjusting their attitudes toward each other, and Fatah’s dismissed leader Mohammed Dahlan probably has a role in this regard. Palestine
Hamas’ release of Fatah military wing leader raises speculation of deal Hamas has released Zaki al-Sakani from prison, raising questions of whether it was part of a deal between Hamas and Mohammed Dahlan, with whom it just restored relations. Palestine
Hariri reverses political slide by backing Aoun presidency Saad Hariri’s success as prime minister will depend on new compact with Michel Aoun and Hezbollah, less so on Saudi Arabia; Al-Monitor breaks news of Russian draft plan for Syrian Kurdish autonomy; United States seeks ground force to isolate Raqqa. Saudi Arabia
Execution of Saudi prisoners widens gap between Baghdad, Riyadh Iraq has executed three Saudi prisoners and nine others are on death row, raising the objections of Saudi Arabia that wants Baghdad to transfer the prisoners to the kingdom. Saudi Arabia
Deciphering Ankara's Middle East policy A mix of traditional Turkish fears and the Justice and Development Party's political ambitions has come to shape Turkey’s regional policies, especially in Syria and Iraq. Turkey
Who will liberate Raqqa? The United States says a military operation to isolate the Islamic State stronghold of Raqqa needs to get underway within weeks, but Turkey as well as Washington’s Syrian Arab allies oppose any plan to use Kurdish forces to take the city. Iraq
Two Americans detained in tense Tunisia border town Matters got interesting after two American brothers in their early 30s traveled to a Tunisian town near the Algerian border. Tunisia
Risk indicators growing for Turkish economy Turkey’s growing economic, political and geopolitical risks have caused significant losses in foreign capital inflows, on which the country’s economic growth relies. Turkey
Aleppo braces for harsh winter Residents of besieged eastern Aleppo fear they might not survive the winter as their already meager and expensive fuel sources are running out. Syria
