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
Father of Tel Aviv attacker: If I had the chance, I'd ask Khaled why he did it The father of Tel Aviv attacker Khaled Mahmara told Al-Monitor he did not know about the intentions of his son. Palestine
How this Yazidi man is saving IS captives Yazidi families in Iraq are paying thousands of dollars to smugglers who rescue their members from the Islamic State’s grip. Iraq
Will Afrin be the next Kobani? Afrin, one of the three cantons of Rojava, strives to provide refuge to its population despite the blockade by Turkey and its allies. Syria
The education of Israel's new defense minister In the past, Avigdor Liberman was called to use an iron fist against Palestinians in order to curb terror, but as Israel's new defense minister he might change his tone. Palestine
Could Netanyahu-Liberman surprise us? Recent statements by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Yisrael Beitenu head Avigdor Liberman could indicate readiness for a diplomatic move, but could also be misleading and a play for time. Israel
Iraqi authorities work to identify bodies in mass graves As Iraq works to identify bodies found in the many mass graves spread across the country, its people are reminded of the successive bloody battles Iraq has gone through and continues to fight. Iraq
Netanyahu's two-state bluff Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated his willingness to adopt parts of the Arab Peace Initiative, conveniently ignoring the essential parts of Palestinian statehood along the 1967 borderlines. Palestine
What happened to kidnapped Lebanese soldiers in Arsal? A Lebanese official told Al-Monitor that the number of Islamic militants in Arsal is steadily declining, and there is talk of the remainder leaving after negotiations. Lebanon
The lost children of Israel's foreign workers Most of the children born to foreign workers in Israel are never granted permanent residency or Israeli nationality and feel rejected by Israeli society. Israel
Is the West about to repeat its mistakes in Libya? During a recent meeting in Vienna, world powers supported the newly created Presidential Guard of Libya, not taking into account who this force is made up of — mainly militias that have committed crimes after the Libyan revolution. Libya
Why Turkish military isn't welcome in Syria, Iraq Military and political observers say the Turkish government's failure to recalibrate its policies to better cooperate with the United States, Russia and Iran is undermining Turkey's security interests in Syria and Iraq. Turkey
What Israel calls progress, Palestinians see as oppression Israel says it will streamline checkpoint procedures to facilitate Palestinians' movements, but some see the promise as merely a public relations move and a reminder of the occupation. Palestine
