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
How Erdogan will spin his deal with Israel Although Israel did not meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's top condition of lifting the Gaza blockade, Erdogan is still hailing the reconciliation between the countries as a major win. Israel
Will Shiite power struggle turn into armed conflict in Iraq? Signs are indicating that political disagreements over power among Shiite parties may turn into armed conflict, given the multiple armed factions and their influence on the street and within government institutions. Iraq
Turks worked up over wanting more wives Angry about the attention LGBT pride month has received during Ramadan, some conservative Muslim men complain about discrimination against Muslims in Turkey and say that, according to their religion, they should have the right to marry more than one woman. Turkey
Lebanese Christian village hit with eight suicide attacks in one day The eight suicide attacks that targeted al-Qaa, a Christian village bordering Syria, might revive sectarian tension, especially between the residents of the village and the Syrian refugees. Lebanon
Bloody power struggles continue in Iraq’s disputed territories A rash of kidnappings, ambushes and bombs in Tuz Khormato are aggravating tensions between the ethnic components of the city despite efforts to balance security forces along sectarian lines. Iraq
What Bahrain’s opposition crackdown means for country’s Brotherhood Manama’s exclusion of popular political groups from Bahrain’s political scene, accompanied by a wide crackdown on opposition figures, could lead to militancy gaining broader power and appeal in the Shiite opposition. Legacy: Gulf
Erdogan displays survival instinct in Israel reconciliation Turkey has taken major steps to end its global isolation by reconciling with Israel and apologizing to Russia. Palestine
3 Iranian rangers killed by poachers in 48 hours After three Iranian rangers were killed by poachers in 48 hours, some Iranians are asking if the law is doing enough to protect them. Iran
One year after Sousse attack, Tunisia’s tourism industry remembers victims while remaining hopeful Tunisia’s tourism sector, bolstered by increased security, continues to push on following the sharp decline it experienced in the wake of last year’s Sousse attack. Tunisia
Why so many of Israel's security hawks have become doves In Israel, many top intelligence and security leaders have grown much more moderate during their service, but the prime minister and his cohorts would rather brand them as leftists than analyze why. Israel
The war over Fatah leadership has begun Former Fatah senior member Mohammed Dahlan has been channeling humanitarian aid funds to the Gaza Strip, thus creating an alliance with the local Hamas leadership. Palestine
Who is killing Syrian opposition figures in Aleppo, Idlib? The armed opposition in Aleppo and Idlib has been facing a series of assassinations and assassination attempts, as some leaders accuse the regime and IS of being behind them. Syria
