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
Can Israel influence the 'day after' in Syria? Israeli experts fear that the Russian pullout of Syria will provide Hezbollah with influence along the border of the Golan Heights. Israel
How Kurds treat Islamic State prisoners In the Kurdish-controlled areas of Syria, special courts prosecute the Islamic State fighters captured during the battles between the organization and the People's Protection Units. Syria
How terror attacks drive politics in Ankara Turkey is increasingly becoming the scene of Rojava-inspired Kurdish resistance. Syria
Why Abbas turned Biden down Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas refused US Vice President Joe Biden's offer to reopen talks with Israel, convinced that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has no real intention of negotiating. Palestine
Congress threatens to go ballistic over Russian arms sales to Iran Lawmakers demand tough sanctions on conventional weapons violations. Congress
How Iran views the Russian withdrawal from Syria Iranian media and analysts speculate on Russia's sudden decision to pull some of its troops from Syria and what this means for the fate of the cease-fire. Syria
Putin to Assad: Do svidaniya Russian President Vladimir Putin is saying "do svidaniya" — goodbye — to Syria, announcing the start of a Russian military withdrawal that Putin said he hoped would bolster Syria peace talks underway in Geneva. Syria
Is Israeli media changing its tone on sexual harassment? Contrary to past cases of famous Israeli figures suspected of sexual harassment, in the case of Brig. Gen. Ofek Buchris, both the media and social networks are in no hurry to declare that Buchris is guilty. Israel
Will Hamas lose Gaza? Fatah officials have recently threatened to retake Gaza by force, which Hamas leaders see as a step that undermines reconciliation efforts. Palestine
The intifada of attrition Unlike the first two intifadas, the current uprising appears unlikely to lead to political breakthroughs or the rise of a new Palestinian leadership. Palestine
Political, economic alarm bells ringing in Jordan Former senior government officials in Jordan are concerned about the inability to introduce economic and political reforms and about overreaching by the national intelligence agency. Jordan
Erdogan intensifies assault on independent media US State Department calls on Turkey to respect "democratic values"; Israel considers Erdogan a "lost cause," sees Putin winning "on all counts." Israel
