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
Everything you've ever wanted to know about Fethullah Gulen, Turkey's most controversial cleric Questions remain concerning the future of Fethullah Gulen, a minor preacher who quickly rose to become one of Erdogan's closest allies, only to fall out of favor and remain in self-imposed exile in the US. Turkey
Why the Mosul offensive has yet to succeed Frustrations between the Iraqi army, peshmerga forces and local villagers have presented a major obstacle in the operation that was launched in late March to recapture Mosul from IS. Iraq
Clashes between IS, Jabhat al-Nusra spell despair for Yarmouk residents Clashes between Jabhat al-Nusra and Islamic State militants in the Yarmouk refugee camp portend more despair for Palestinian residents, whose situation is already desperate. Syria
Who is really inciting violence in Israel-Palestine conflict? Deputy Palestinian Information Minister Mohammed Khalifa tells Al-Monitor that, while Israel blames them for incitement, right-wing Israelis are responsible for the violence. Palestine
Why a seaport won't solve Gaza's problems Israel cannot simply offer some gestures to improve the situation in Gaza without negotiating a comprehensive solution to end the occupation. Palestine
Congress puts stranglehold on Palestinian aid Key lawmakers are incensed with terrorism support and statehood bid. Palestine
Syria talks pulled back from brink UN Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura looked to the United States and Russia for help after the Syrian opposition said it will pause its participation in formal negotiations but stay in Geneva until it sees progress on strengthening the cease-fire and aid access. Syria
Will drought fuel water conflict between Cairo, Addis Ababa? As drought continues to plague Ethiopia, the longstanding dispute over precious water resources in the Nile Basin is intensifying. Egypt
How Turkish police could have prevented IS massacre in Ankara Recent reports in the Turkish press have fueled claims that police were more than just negligent in their failure to act on intelligence reports before the Islamic State attacked Ankara on Oct. 10. Turkey
Underground war between Israel, Hamas heats up The IDF exposed an attack tunnel dug by Hamas, which reached Israeli territory. Palestine
Is Hamas on the offensive or defensive? Hamas believes that Israel will attack the Gaza Strip again at some point, which is why it keeps arming itself and developing its rocket project. Palestine
Will Popular Mobilization Units join operations to liberate Mosul? Although the Sunni forces oppose the participation of the Popular Mobilization Units in the battle for Mosul, the Iraqi government has opted for their participation in the absence of a US veto. Iraq
