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
From Germany to IS front: a former PKK fighter's return to battle Some of those fighting the Islamic State in Iraqi Kurdistan are volunteers. One of them is Sait Curukkaya. Iraq
Libyans lose possessions post-Gadhafi Following the revolution in Libya and death of former President Moammar Gadhafi, rebels spread chaos in the country, confiscating the properties of those considered supporters of the former regime. Libya
Israeli legal plan for settlements raises red flag in West Bank Israeli Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked's intention to apply Israeli laws to Jews living West Bank settlements raised the ire of the Palestinian Authority. Palestine
Why some Palestinians are siding with the IDF Palestinian officials do not think the rift between the IDF and Israel's political leadership will improve the Palestinians' situation or advance diplomacy toward peace. Palestine
Why Iran should focus on Turkey, not Russia, for Syria cooperation Despite all talk of a nascent Russian-Iranian alliance, it appears that Iranian interests — and the objective of peace in Syria — are perhaps best served through Iranian-Turkish cooperation. Turkey
Turkish ambassador calls joining EU Ankara’s 'strategic objective' In a wide-ranging interview with Al-Monitor, Turkish Ambassador to France Hakki Akil discussed Turkey’s perspectives on a safe zone in Syria, the migration crisis, Turkey’s progress toward EU membership, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Russian intervention in Syria and the possibility of international intervention in Libya. Syria
Satire leads Egypt youth troupe to prison The Egyptian authorities seem to be taking a break from fighting terrorism to zealously track down young entertainers. Egypt
Foreign terrorist fighters, reverse migration are global crises There is a pressing need for international cooperation to deal with foreign terrorist fighters and overcome the "not in my backyard" mindset. Iraq
Iraq's parliament helpless to halt political crisis Iraq's political crisis has worsened, and the parliament cannot even meet to discuss proposals for resolving it. Iraq
Will unity deal deepen rivalries in Iraqi Kurdistan? Long-time Kurdish rivals Gorran and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan recently reached an agreement that might further entrench Kurdish division in Iraqi Kurdistan. Iraq
The real reason Israel’s economy is slipping toward recession While recent figures indicate that the Israeli economy is heading toward a recession, are politicians suppressing the connection between the economy and the diplomatic stalemate? Israel
Arms sales to Libya draw congressional skepticism The United Nations is ready to lift the arms embargo on Libya. Congress, not so much. Libya
