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
Will these Palestinian and Israeli leaders achieve peace? A re-entry into politics of former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and former Palestinian security chief Mohammed Dahlan could bring about pragmatic moves towards a two-state solution. Palestine
Will slaying affect potential Cairo-Brotherhood detente? The recent police killing of a former Muslim Brotherhood leader wanted by the government could cause a violent backlash in the short term, but might help bring about a reconciliation. Egypt
What state of emergency means for Turkey’s Protestants After the declaration of the state of emergency in Turkey, in addition to a series of repressive measures, foreign Protestants are being deported. Turkey
Will Iraq boycott Turkey? As tension escalates between Iraq and Turkey regarding the battle to rid Mosul of the Islamic State, Iraqi politicians call for boycotting Turkish products. Iraq
Why Israelis flock to small tomb in Nablus at night Despite the fact that Joseph’s Tomb in Nablus has been the site of recurring clashes between Israelis and Palestinians, Jews keep coming to the site for nocturnal prayers. Palestine
Erdogan claims Turkey prepping for Mosul action Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has vowed to keep troops near Mosul and says preparations for Turkish role "in the field" are underway. Iraq
Why US-educated Turkish officers could soon be out of their jobs Turkey's purges since the failed coup are now targeting armed forces officers with advanced degrees from the United States, threatening to devastate the military's brain trust. Turkey
Turkey hasn't given up on role in Mosul battle While Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan fumes at Baghdad for excluding Turkey from the operation to liberate Mosul, Ankara has sent a team to the Iraqi capital to continue negotiating a role for Turkey. Iraq
Police overwhelmed as drugs from Iran flood Basra Iraqi police are unable to keep up with increasing drug smuggling from Iran, and Basra, the hardest-hit province, has neither a rehabilitation center for drug addiction nor the resources to prosecute drug-trafficking gangs. Iraq
US, Europe mull sanctions on Russia over Aleppo The United States and Europe are considering additional economic sanctions on Russia over its role in the Syrian regime's assault on Aleppo. Syria
US shifts Egypt aid to other countries The Barack Obama administration has reallocated $108 million in obstructed assistance. Egypt
Public schools are latest victim of Libyan infighting Amid the lack of school buildings, the shortage of textbooks and the fighting, thousands of Libyan children will not be able to attend classes this year. Libya
