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
US allies mobilize on two fronts against IS, but Sunnis wary US-backed Iraqi forces have encircled Fallujah, and mostly Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces have advanced on villages north of Raqqa, but Sunni residents are terrified of retribution by Kurdish and Shiite local forces preparing to liberate those cities from the Islamic State. Iraq
Uproar over police brutality against Israeli Arab Israeli passers-by documented border police officers beating an Israeli-Arab youth working in a Tel Aviv grocery store. Israel
Turkey's Islamists, nationalists both silent on Israeli weapons flow to Azerbaijan Turkey’s Islamist and ultra-nationalists are curbing their opposition — at least outwardly — to Israel, which is supplying Azerbaijan with weapons to fight Armenia. Israel
Head of pro-Sisi coalition denies attempts to take control of Egypt's parliament Saad al-Gamal, the head of the pro-government Support Egypt coalition, speaks to Al-Monitor about the most pressing issues facing parliament and responds to accusations of trying to take control of the legislature. Egypt
Erdogan irked as major players snub humanitarian summit Turkey was expecting representatives from "all" countries to attend the first World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul. Syria
Gaza calls for death penalty Citizens in the Gaza Strip are pressuring Hamas to implement the death penalties in cases of murders, robberies and physical attacks, without awaiting the endorsement of President Mahmoud Abbas. Palestine
Syrians describe 'most dangerous journey ever' fleeing IS territories Civilians in areas under IS control are barred from leaving, but many are nonetheless risking their lives to flee the group's grip. Syria
Islamic Jihad takes drug enforcement into own hands in Gaza The Islamic Jihad's military wing seized large quantities of Tramadol pills in Rafah, in a move Gaza officials considered as overstepping the security services' job. Palestine
As climate changes, has Mideast refugee crisis just begun? New reports are drawing attention to the possibility that global warming could worsen the refugee crisis in the Middle East and North Africa. Pan Arab
Why hasn't Egypt taken a clear stance on Syria? Since Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi came to power two years ago, Egypt has repeatedly stated that it wants to preserve the Syrian state and army, but it has been vague when it comes to voicing an opinion on the regime itself. Egypt
Are Palestinians concerned over Minister Liberman? Palestinian leaders in the West Bank and Gaza say they do not fear incoming new Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman. Palestine
Iraq kicks off historic Fallujah operation against Islamic State Iraqi security forces launched a military operation in Fallujah, the Islamic State's last major stronghold in Anbar province; if the operation succeeds, it will deal a serious blow to the extremist organization. Iraq
