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
Major regime offensive looms over Aleppo Aleppo and its countryside are under heavy shelling by the regime as observers fear this a prelude to a major siege of the city's opposition-controlled areas. Syria
Will Hamas abandon political Islam? The decision by Tunisia's Ennahda to separate religion from politics has raised controversy within Hamas circles. Palestine
Will Israel's new defense minister agree to meet with Abbas? Israeli mayors who met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas say that he is willing to meet with new Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman. Palestine
Are Hamas, Egypt nearing reconciliation? In an interview with Al-Monitor, Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri spoke about the improvements in Hamas-Egyptian ties and other Palestinian issues. Palestine
Syria’s Qamishli a window onto Turkish-Kurdish conflict across border For months, residents of a northern Syrian city have watched helplessly as their neighbors and fellow Kurds battle Turkish forces across the border. Syria
Peshmerga gaining ground en route to Mosul In a massive two-day assault on Islamic State militants southeast of Mosul, peshmerga forces regained nine villages and killed 140 IS fighters. Iraq
How Turkey's spies found new ways to escape oversight Even as rumors continue as to who will replace Hakan Fidan, Turkey's national intelligence chief, the Turkish spy has found ways to expand his political power. Turkey
IDF warns of escalating pressure in Gaza IDF officers are concerned that poverty, unemployment and an internal power struggle within Hamas might push the movement into a new military conflict with Israel. Palestine
How will Baghdad plan for liberated Fallujah? The Iraqi government needs to plan for the post-liberation phase in Fallujah in order to prevent the city's seizure by terrorist organizations. Iraq
Why was hajj for Iranian pilgrims canceled this year? After failing to resolve differences with Saudi Arabia, Iranians will be unable to attend the hajj pilgrimage this year. Saudi Arabia
Will Russian arms soon start flowing to Libya? Moscow reports that it's ready with military aid for Libya's unity government as soon as the arms embargo is lifted, but Tripoli must include Gen. Khalifa Hifter and the Libyan National Army in the political process for that to happen. Libya
Turkey faces multiple dilemmas in Syria Ankara’s Kurdish phobia underlies its inability to come up with realistic strategies that will also serve its own long-term security interests. Syria
