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
Turks question loyalties after picture emerges of US soldiers with YPG patches Recently published photos of US forces wearing YPG insignia have further strained US-Turkish relations and may even offer a recruitment tool for the Islamic State. Syria
Will Turkey's military might be overshadowed by political failures? Although the Turkish military is preoccupied with developments in Syria, border security and combating terrorism, its Efes exercise on May 30-31 was a major show of force. Turkey
Syrians fight Jabhat al-Nusra with cameras, social media A group of young Syrians has been documenting and exposing violations and other activities by Jabhat al-Nusra in Syria. Syria
Are the Taliban and Iran teaming up to stop IS? An article on the Jahan news website reported that the former Taliban leader who was killed in a US drone strike in Pakistan had met with Iranian officials one week before he was killed. Iran
Did Erdogan look the other way during YPG operation in Syria? The range of Turkey’s howitzers determines the limits of its game in Syria. Syria
Why can't Gazans drink their tea in peace? Security services in Gaza are implementing heavy and exaggerated measures in cafes and public spaces, dealing with clients as suspicious persons, so have they crossed the line? Palestine
Will Egypt's cybercrime law overstep boundaries? As the Egyptian government nears adoption of a new cybercrime law, human rights organizations and observers decried the move, considering it the latest government tool to crack down on dissent. Egypt
How Libyans are reviving their heritage, one building at a time In the absence of a strong central government, Libya’s historical religious and cultural sites are being destroyed and looted by militias and Salafists alike. Libya
Is Russia readying for the kill in Syria? Russia is likely preparing for a major assault on Jabhat al-Nusra and affiliated groups in Aleppo and elsewhere in Syria. Syria
Is Sisi selling Egypt to Saudis? Egyptian lawyers and activists voice concerns over President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s decision broadening the rights of Saudi nationals to own real estate in Egypt. Saudi Arabia
Clinton dumps on Trump Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton, in a foreign policy speech in San Diego on June 2, honed the case for her candidacy down to the narrow and compelling argument that Donald Trump is unfit to be commander in chief. United States
How the Islamic State is winning the media war Is covering the Islamic State’s activities a legitimate public service or just propaganda that serves the extremist group? Iraq
