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 Israeli defense minister’s surprising offer Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman granted the Palestinian newspaper al-Quds an interview in an attempt to reach out to the Palestinian public while bypassing Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Palestine
The many dimensions of Mosul, and what comes next There's much more at play in Mosul than a campaign for its immediate liberation from the Islamic State. Iraq
The real reason Tunisia renewed its state of emergency The state of emergency in Tunisia was renewed nationwide despite the fact that the security situation has improved, which has raised questions on the reasons behind it. Tunisia
Iran unfazed by Saudi flexing in Persian Gulf Saudi Arabia's large-scale military exercises may be cause for some concern in Iran, but Saudi capabilities in the Persian Gulf can't compare to those of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Saudi Arabia
Will Cairo reverse decision to transfer islands to Riyadh? As the Egyptian government defends in court its maritime border agreement with Saudi Arabia that transferred two Red Sea islands to Riyadh, a lawyer for the state provoked controversy after admitting the "islands are still Egyptian." Saudi Arabia
Why KRG will remain Turkey’s main ally in Iraq Despite warnings from Turkish nationalist quarters about ultimate Kurdish aspirations, Ankara and Erbil are likely to maintain their pragmatic ties. Iraq
Anti-IS troops are gaining ground on multiple fronts in Iraq Strong collaboration is helping various Iraqi forces and the international alliance to advance toward the city of Mosul from all directions in the battle against the Islamic State. Iraq
Is US reconsidering its support for Saudi Arabia in Yemen war? The recent missile attacks on US vessels off Yemen’s coast as well as the limited US response suggest that Washington may be disengaging from the war in Yemen and putting pressure on Saudi Arabia to follow suit. Saudi Arabia
Cairo-Addis Ababa dispute over Oromo could derail dam talks Ethiopia has accused Cairo of supporting anti-government protests by Oromo, which some fear could have negative repercussions on Renaissance Dam negotiations. Egypt
Syria rejects Russian proposal for Kurdish federation Russia's attempt to broker a Kurdish solution was warmly received by Kurds but got the cold shoulder from Damascus. Syria
How Turkey is becoming a snitching paradise The aftermath of the July 15 coup attempt has seen a surge of informants in Turkey, compounding an already terrible climate of fear. Turkey
Displaced women care for their own as Mosul battle rages As the Mosul operation sends more patients, limited medical staff — themselves displaced — are struggling to provide treatment and health care to a growing number of displaced families. Iraq
