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
Libya's bungled oil deal Rather than uniting Libya's feuding national oil companies and myriad rival militias, the United Nation’s clumsy attempts to restart oil exports have pushed them all into pitched battle. Libya
The AKP's path to the coup Turkey today, exposed by the failed coup attempt, is a far cry from the country the Justice and Development Party promised 14 years ago. Turkey
Why state of emergency brings back bad memories in Turkey After a 14-year interval, Turkey has reintroduced a state of emergency not only in the southeast but across the entire country. Turkey
Is new strategy needed for fighting IS in Syria? In an interview with Al-Monitor, a senior member of the New Syrian Army, Abdulsalam Muzil, talks about his force’s achievements and what's to come in the battle against the Islamic State. Syria
Baghdad-Erbil bickering overshadows Mosul battle Since the Iraqi central government excluded the Kurdistan Regional Government from a meeting for the anti-IS coalition in Washington, tension has been escalating between Baghdad and the Kurds, who stressed that they will not leave areas in Ninevah liberated from IS. Iraq
Will Hamas accept new Egypt-brokered deal with Israel? Egypt is making efforts in sealing an exchange deal between Israel and Hamas, yet observers question whether Hamas will accept it given the strained ties between the movement and Cairo. Palestine
Are IDF soldiers shooting Palestinians against orders? The trial of IDF soldier Elor Azaria, who is suspected of shooting a Palestinian assailant on the ground, must bring back to the spotlight other cases where IDF soldiers shot Palestinians who didn't threaten their lives. Palestine
Parliament to take on Egypt’s notorious prisons As allegations continue to mount against Egypt’s penal institutions, legislators plan to visit the lockups to see the conditions for themselves. Egypt
Profile of a dedicated Gulenist in Turkey's army As details of the July 15 coup attempt emerge, a clearer picture is forming of the massive and strategic infiltration of the Turkish military by officers affiliated with the Fethullah Gulen movement. Turkey
Can Israel close US aid deal before US elections? Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is being pressured by his associates and the security system to conclude the US security aid deal with the current administration. Israel
Gazans take to social media in reaction to Turkish coup attempt The failed Turkish coup divided Gazans between supporters and opponents, as some praised President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for foiling the coup. Palestine
The de-Gulenification of Turkey Western observers first must understand the severity of Turkey’s coup plot and the complexity of the religious group that seems to be behind it. Turkey
