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
Shaky cease-fire starts in Syria The United States and Russia brokered a cease-fire, now in effect in Syria, which they hope will lead to an ease in the suffering of Syrians and spark "negotiated peace" discussions. Syria
Syrian cease-fire reflects US, Russian interests It’s a long shot and certainly not altruistic, but the effort by Russia and the United States to develop a viable plan for Syria might just work in everyone’s favor. Syria
Kurds become new target of Ankara’s post-coup purges Ankara’s draconian crackdown on the Gulen community is now moving into a new direction, targeting Kurds accused of collaborating with armed Kurdish militants. Turkey
Ankara hardening anti-PKK strategy Turkey's strategy against the Gulen movement has worked so well, Ankara looks to be extending it to eradicate the Kurdistan Workers Party as well. Iraq
Iran wary groups might use Syria cease-fire to rearm Iranian officials have welcomed the Syria cease-fire agreement but have warned that it may be used by armed opposition groups to rearm and resupply. Syria
Are Saudis open to rapprochement with Iran? Despite a war of words between Iran and Saudi Arabia and other tensions, some observers believe relations between Riyadh and Tehran could improve. Saudi Arabia
Kerry: Going after al-Qaeda in Syria 'not a concession to anybody' US Secretary of State John Kerry warns armed groups that "it’s wise to separate" from Jabhat al-Nusra. Syria
Anti-Wahhabism spreading in Muslim world The Shiism-Wahhabism conflict is expanding among other Islamic denominations, as several Sunni schools are taking actions against Wahhabism. Saudi Arabia
Will 9/11 lawsuit vote sabotage US arms sales to Riyadh? The Obama administration has offered to sell Saudi Arabia a record $115 billion in weapons. Does the Sept. 9 vote to allow the families of terrorist victims to sue the kingdom mean an end to business as usual? Saudi Arabia
Egyptian student's death may remain mystery While his family and human rights activists claim student Ahmed Medhat was killed in government custody in late August, political stagnation and economic difficulties mean such incidents aren't likely to spark another revolt. Egypt
Children disappear across Iraq, but critics say authorities lack plan As child abduction continues to plague Iraq, the government has still not taken serious measures to deal with the problem, such as funding research and coordinating investigation. Iraq
How long can the Houthis hold on to Yemen? It seems the Houthi rebels are the only ones benefiting from the ongoing war in Yemen, as Saudi Arabia’s and Yemen’s economies have been badly affected. Legacy: Gulf
