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
What's next for Hezbollah in Syria? Hezbollah will have a difficult time finding a replacement for slain commander Mustafa Badreddine. Lebanon
Despite Arab, US attacks, AQAP still holding out in Yemen Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula recently withdrew from its prosperous base in Mukalla, but with 20 years of investment in the country, the group is unlikely to be defeated while other battles continue to mire the country in chaos and violence. Yemen
Muqtada al-Sadr, the most powerful man in Iraqi politics? Many believe the storming of the Iraqi parliament by pro-Sadr protesters will only destroy the space for political work in a country where armed conflict has long been a way of settling differences. Iraq
Is third intifada on its way to becoming history? What has been described as a third intifada now seems to be declining as Palestinian attacks decrease, though Hamas insists otherwise. Palestine
What happened to billions in US military aid to Egypt? The Obama administration has provided Cairo with $6.5 billion in military aid since 2011 but can't account for all of it, according to a new government report. Egypt
Beware of the failure of Yemen’s central bank The Central Bank of Yemen continues to set new policies to tackle the rising inflation and devaluation of the Yemeni rial, knowing its policies will not be effective as long as there is no political will to stabilize the situation. Saudi Arabia
Gaza farmers dodge bullets to harvest crops Although the truce that ended the 2014 Gaza war is still in force, the Israeli army has recently escalated its actions against farmers in the buffer zone between the Strip and Israel. Palestine
Why Shiites are divided over Iranian role in Iraq Shiites have started to act based on political orientations instead of their sectarian affiliations, which is viewed as an edge in the Shiite public awareness. Iraq
Why is Congress keeping its powder dry on Iran sanctions? Republican leaders are determined to craft the most comprehensive legislative package they can get through Congress. Iran
Iranian official says prominent Saudi jihadist 'man in control' in Syria In Syria, a Saudi jihadi is becoming a paramount figure for militants opposed to President Bashar al-Assad — but will he become the "new bin Laden"? Syria
How will Egypt police its police force? Police assaults on civilians have put the Interior Ministry in the hot seat as the public demands action to curb police violence. Egypt
