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 strange case of the Israeli defense minister Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman is a rare bird in the sense that he has no significant military experience, never commanded a military unit and speaks a different language from that of the military world. Israel
Why Iran and Saudi Arabia will jaw-jaw but not war-war Despite increasingly tough rhetoric and a breakdown in diplomatic relations, neither Iran nor Saudi Arabia appears to be looking for a new fight. Legacy: Gulf
US aid to Israel takes a partisan turn Senate Republicans push for $1.5 billion boost days after signing off on a record $38 billion package. Israel
Why US' biggest challenge to fighting IS in Syria might be its own allies The Obama administration’s no-boots-on-the-ground policy in Iraq and Syria has forced it to employ creative solutions to manage the complex battlefield. But for how long? Syria
US, UN say Syria cease-fire 'not dead' after strike on aid convoy Despite statements from the United States and UN following a deadly Sept. 19 strike on an aid convoy, there are growing doubts about whether the US-Russian agreement is viable. Syria
Turkey seeks more military cooperation with US in Syria Analysts who say the FSA is not a viable force against IS argue that the Turkish military needs the help of US forces as it prepares to move on the IS stronghold of al-Bab. Syria
Why Iran never counted on US-Russia agreement Despite welcoming the US-Russia agreement on Syria, Iran never had much faith in the initiative. As such, the collapse of the deal does not appear to have left anyone in Tehran fazed. Syria
Can Libya find unity through oil? With the Libyan National Army’s takeover of the crescent oil ports, Gen. Khalifa Hifter may be the key to a true national unity government. Libya
More at stake than meets the eye as Jordan votes While continuing to prepare against external armed threats, Jordan must also focus on improving domestic conditions crucial to long-term stability. Jordan
Iraqis already arguing over land they haven't yet freed from IS As efforts advance to liberate Mosul, the capital of Ninevah province, disputes are brewing over proposals to divide up the governorate. Iraq
Tunisia-Libya border buffer zone deprives residents of income Unrest gripped Tunisia's southeastern city of Ben Guerdane in the wake of the death of a young man who was shot by a Tunisian military patrol on the border with Libya during a hot pursuit of smuggling vehicles coming from Libya to the military buffer zone in southern Tunisia. Libya
Iran looms large over Senate fight to block arms sales for Saudi war in Yemen Resolution sponsors insist: It’s a civil war, not a proxy war. Saudi Arabia
