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
Hezbollah responds to GCC decision In a speech following the GCC’s decision to label Hezbollah a terrorist organization, the movement’s leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, intensified his criticism of Saudi Arabia, indicating a readiness to go all the way in the confrontation. Saudi Arabia
Six reasons Iran won’t join war in Yemen Even if Iran considers Yemen as an opportunity to expand its influence, it views averting the crisis there at hand is more important than directly entering it. Saudi Arabia
With spread of IS-like tactics, urban warfare in Turkey grows bloodier Turkish officials believe Kurdish militants leading clashes in the southeast have learned techniques used by the Kurdish People’s Protection Units and the Islamic State in Kobani. Syria
Libya’s militias take justice into their own hands Libya's police say the country's justice system is collapsing, as courts often fail to prosecute crimes for fear of the suspects' affiliation with militias and armed groups continue to take matters into their own hands. Libya
Why Israel needs Putin more than it needs Erdogan Reconciliation with Turkey is stalled, possibly due to Israeli-Russian security interests regarding Syria, Lebanon and Hezbollah, as well as Russian hostility to Israeli-Turkish rapprochement. Israel
Why is Iraq challenging human rights reports? Despite accounts of major human rights violations in Iraq, the government continues to deny and criticize reports by international human rights organizations. Iraq
Israeli ties with Egypt may be thawing, but no 'love and warmth' just yet In an interview with Al-Monitor, Zionist Camp Knesset member Ksenia Svetlova claims that while progress is being made, Egyptian society is still influenced by anti-Israeli discourse and not yet ready for normalization. Egypt
Will expelling families of Palestinian attackers to Gaza stop terror? A proposal to expel the families of Palestinians who attack Israelis to Gaza could motivate relatives remaining in the West Bank to commit revenge attacks. Palestine
Tunisian envoy: Counterterrorism cooperation with US is new normal Tunisian Ambassador to the United States Faycal Gouia opens up about the war in Libya, US assistance and his country’s economic needs. Tunisia
Is Israeli-Palestinian two-state solution almost dead? Iran poised to exploit the declining fortunes of the Palestinian Authority as Israel expands West Bank settlements; Syrian government forces prepare for a showdown in Raqqa; The Washington Post refers to Jaish al-Islam as a "rebel" group; Al-Monitor Syria Timeline includes commentary from Ambassador Ryan Crocker and others. Palestine
Victims still 'disappearing' from Egyptian streets A few "fortunate" souls return from forced disappearances to recount their experiences. Egypt
How much more can Yemen’s heritage sites take? The ancient city of Sanaa in conflict-torn Yemen is at risk of complete destruction as its historical landmarks keep taking one blow after the other. Saudi Arabia
