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
Israel's new defense minister draws up plan to topple Hamas Upon taking office, Israel's new Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman asked IDF senior officers to elaborate a military plan to topple Hamas rule, without taking over the Gaza Strip. Palestine
Why recent steps with Israel, Russia won't really change Turkish foreign policy Ending the Mavi Marmara crisis with Israel and extending an apology to Russia is not enough for a true change in Turkish foreign policy as long as it remains in the grips of Islamism and sectarianism. Turkey
Baghdad bombing ignites demand for better security in Iraq Repercussions of the massive July 3 suicide bombing in Baghdad could include extensive political change and government reshuffling, especially if such attacks continue. Iraq
Why some Iraqi Shiites are pushing for distance from Iran Iraqi Shiites are dividing over their stance toward Iran, as the disagreement with Iran rose up among Shiites affiliated to Najaf. Iraq
Algeria rips House appropriators over Sahara coercion Algiers is furious at pro-Moroccan language in the annual foreign aid bill. Algeria
How Germany-Turkey discord could damage NATO alliance Turkish-German friction on allowing German parliamentarians to visit Incirlik Air Base could have serious ramifications in terms of complicating NATO plans to combat the Islamic State. Turkey
Are Turkey’s efforts to combat foreign fighters too late? Since the June 28 airport attack in Istanbul, Turkey has been adopting measures against Salafist foreign terrorist fighters, but many observers wonder whether these anti-criminal measures aren't too late in dealing with root causes of Salafist terror. Turkey
Erdogan’s citizenship offer fans flames of anti-Syrian sentiment in Turkey Turkey's polarized public appears to have found a common cause against a proposed offer of citizenship and preferential treatment for Syrian refugees. Syria
How Tunisia’s security agencies are confronting infiltration attempts Terrorist organizations in Tunisia have recruited policemen and soldiers within its ranks to obtain information on the security forces and use it in attacks, which has prompted the Tunisian authorities to fortify security agencies to abort infiltration attempts. Tunisia
The West Bank's growing gun problem Faced with an alarming arms proliferation, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has instructed his security forces to strike with an "iron fist" to prevent further bloodshed that could plunge the West Bank into complete security chaos. Palestine
New poll underlines Iranian disappointment with US, nuclear deal A year after the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was signed, most Iranians still support it, but a large majority lacks confidence that the United States will carry out its obligations and believes Washington is trying to prevent other countries from normalizing trade relations with the Islamic Republic. Iran
Why Iraq needs the Popular Mobilization Units in fight against IS Given the critical role of the PMU to date, its participation in upcoming battles against IS seems inevitable. Iraq
![Palestinian teenagers handle a nine millimeter semi-automatic pistol in the Dheisheh refugee camp in Bethlehem January 4, 2001. The Dheisheh refugee camp hosts thousands of Palestinian refugees since the 1948 Israeli occupation. [Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat began consulting Arab leaders in Cairo on Thursday on U.S. President Bill Clinton's peace proposals before announcing whether he accepts them. ] - RTXK7RJ](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2016/07/RTXK7RJ.jpg/RTXK7RJ.jpg?h=5021389d&itok=mIEOk2j_)
