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
Raqqa brigade continues to raise flag of Syrian revolution Abu Issa, commander of Liwa Thuwar al-Raqqa, spoke to Al-Monitor about the ongoing fight against the Islamic State and being committed to the principles of the Syrian revolution. Syria
Will Iraq pass amnesty law that could pardon terrorists? Iraqi political blocs have agreed to pass the general amnesty draft law, although there are concerns that terrorists might be released in accordance with it. Iraq
So IS is committing genocide. Now what? Congress expects the secretary of State's determination to mean something. Iraq
Are deserted streets, shops the new normal in Ankara? Gripped by fear and panic after an unprecedented string of bombings, Ankara’s residents are shying from streets and shopping malls, hurting the local economy. Turkey
Will Israel revive its relationship with Khartoum? Recent statements by Sudanese senior officials indicate that the country might be interested in the same kind of relations Israel has with South Sudan – especially relating to arms deals. Israel
Will Egypt renew ties with Hamas? After Egypt accused Hamas of assassinating its attorney-general, a Hamas delegation went to Cairo to try and patch things up with the new regime in Egypt. Palestine
Erdogan vows to punish thought crimes By introducing the concept of "unarmed terrorists," Turkey’s president is resurrecting the old concept of "thought crime" that he used to oppose. Turkey
Has Obama had enough of Netanyahu? President Barack Obama strongly supports the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, but is discouraged by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's repeated refusals. Palestine
Meet the Carlo The inaccurate, poorly made Palestinian rifle used in the recent shooting attacks in Jerusalem is a cheap knockoff of an antiquated Swedish gun — a sign that the uprising is still ill-equipped and untrained. Palestine
How the PKK is entering energy wars The PKK has stepped up attacks on oil and gas pipelines in Turkey. Turkey
Is Putin trying to pressure Assad to negotiate? Since Russia announced its partial withdrawal of troops from Syria, Iranian commentators have been scrambling to explain the "surprising" decision. Russia
Islamic State's Sinai branch shifts its strategy The Egyptian military's crackdown on terrorist operations in the Sinai Peninsula force the Islamic State's Wilayat Sinai to shift some of its focus from military targets to the civilian population and local businesses. Egypt
