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
Syria contact group urges air drops, expanded cease-fire The International Syria Support Group, meeting in Vienna May 17, appeared to lower emphasis on Syria political talks as it urged shoring up a partial cease-fire and using air drops if needed to get aid to towns subjected to a type of "medieval" siege. Syria
Will Turkey let UN officials snoop in the southeast? The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights is demanding that Turkey allow UN officials to investigate alleged human rights abuses in the war-ravaged southeast of the country. Turkey
Is Egypt's state of emergency in Sinai unconstitutional? Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is drawing the wrath of advocates of the constitution once again, this time for extending the state of emergency in north Sinai for another three months. Egypt
Magnetic card system restricts Palestinian visits to Jerusalem Israel is issuing magnetic travel permits to Palestinians that only permit a certain number of visits to Jerusalem and Israel each year. Palestine
Can agriculture save Tunisia's economy amid tourism crisis? While terrorist attacks in Tunisia have led to a massive decline in tourism, some believe that agriculture can save the tiny North African country. Libya
Iran parliament seeks damages for US support of Saddam Iranian parliament passes bill to seek American assets for US actions taken against Iran in the past 63 years. Iran
Egypt's next national security threat: All the single ladies? Egypt's parliamentary National Security Council has identified unmarried women as the country's next big threat. Egypt
Have Turkey-PKK clashes crossed fatal threshold? The PKK’s alleged shooting down of a Turkish assault helicopter marks a major development in the ongoing fighting between the two sides. Iraq
Are Iraq's politicians to blame for Baghdad terror attacks? The Islamic State attacks in three different parts of Baghdad on May 11 are an indication that the political crisis has affected security. Iraq
How Turkey’s recent political shakeup will have wide-ranging impact The resignation of Turkish Prime Minister Ahmed Davutoglu could affect both the country’s economy and anti-IS efforts; new report scrutinizes US military aid to Egypt as human rights abuses persist; Al-Monitor’s reporter in the news. Egypt
UNESCO steps in to protect what's left of Syria's Palmyra Countless antiquities have been obliterated in the fierce fighting and rampant destruction in Syria, where the famous Palmyra archaeological site has lost a devastating portion of its treasures. Syria
Has IS reached the heart of Cairo? A May 8 attack that killed eight policemen in southern Cairo has sparked fears that the terror group has reached the city's capital, but questions remain about the culprits. Egypt
