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
US gives Iraqi Kurdistan peshmerga $250 million worth of Humvees, ammo Washington's ambassador announced the move as some US troops prepare to leave Iraq. Iraq
High unemployment forces Iranian Kurds into smuggling, with deadly consequences A new wave of deadly violence targeting Iranian Kurdish smugglers in the country's mountainous border region has renewed focus on decades-long state neglect of the minority group. Iran
Pentagon pushes back on claim that US to leave Turkey’s Incirlik base Senator Ron Johnson said the United States is considering basing more forces on Crete as relations with Turkey deteriorate. Turkey
Rockets rain from Gaza as Netanyahu speaks in Washington Militants in Gaza fired a barrage of rockets at Israel’s southern towns while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was speaking at the White House signing ceremony with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. Palestine
At White House, Netanyahu says more Arab deals to come Celebrating the historic agreements with Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates in Washington, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reached out to other Arab states. United Arab Emirates
Possible resignation of Libya's PM raises questions over Ankara-Tripoli ties Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj is reportedly planning to resign from his post and take on a caretaker role in the Tripoli government, a move that could complicate prior agreements with Ankara and raises questions over future bilateral ties. Turkey
Trump now admits he wanted to kill Syria's Assad but Mattis stopped him "I would've rather taken him out. I had him all set," President Donald Trump said of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Syria
Turkey backs off in EastMed, but for how long? Turkey's step back in the eastern Mediterranean standoff may be a tactic to avoid EU sanctions instead of a genuine effort to de-escalate. Turkey
Egypt rallies Arab League to counter Turkey's regional policies Egypt called on Arab countries to adopt a unified policy to deter the Turkish interference in the Arab region, especially in Libya, Syria and Iraq. Egypt
Can EU sanctions threat cool Turkey’s moves in eastern Mediterranean? EU leaders will gather on Sept. 24 to discuss sanctions on Turkey over its aggressive stance against Greece and Cyprus in the eastern Mediterranean, where despite its hawkish statements, Ankara may be backing down. Turkey
PKK under pressure in Iraq's Kurdistan Region Turkey is continuing its attacks on the Kurdistan Workers Party as a senior Iraqi Kurdish military official hints the group may be wearing out its welcome. Iraq
How the Islamic State found a haven in Syrian desert The Syrian regime and Russian forces are facing a growing threat of the Islamic State, which continues to hold pockets across the desert in central Syria. Syria
