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 Syria? As new talks commence on solving the Syria crisis, the international community speculates on what Russia's first move will be. Syria
Iran defends its support for Syria, Iraq Iranian officials and media argue that the fight against terrorists in Syria and Iraq is in defense of Iran. Syria
Are the Saudis ready to fight in Syria? With no end in sight to Saudi Arabia’s military intervention in Yemen, is Riyadh ready to risk major casualties by sending ground troops to Syria? Saudi Arabia
Doctors join Turkey’s ever-growing army of 'terrorists' Turkish policemen wounded in clashes with Kurdish militants are no longer taken to civilian hospitals in Diyarbakir following claims that local Kurdish doctors collaborate with the insurgency. Turkey
AKP generous with lip service, but Turkish soldiers need more Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party is glorifying military "martyrdom" in an attempt to steer civilian-military relations into support for the government. Turkey
Iran reacts to Saudis' offer of troops in Syria Iranian officials play down Saudi statements about sending ground troops to Syria, especially as the Syrian government makes gains on the ground. Saudi Arabia
Israeli slip of the tongue embarrasses Egypt The statement by Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz in regard to alleged security cooperation with Egypt angered Cairo and complicated the battle against Hamas. Palestine
Israeli minister: After Abbas, there will be no more Palestinian Authority Talking to Al-Monitor, Israeli Minister of Jerusalem Affairs and Immigrant Absorption Zeev Elkin predicts that once Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas steps down, the Palestinian Authority will disintegrate, lamenting that Israel has no plan to face this likelihood. Palestine
Russia's Syria dilemma Moscow wants a political settlement to the Syrian war, but its military support, which is resulting in regime victories on the battlefield, could threaten that outcome. Syria
Mystery surrounds killing of Italian scholar in Egypt Egypt risks losing Italy as a valuable international ally if the investigation into the murder of Italian graduate student Giulio Regeni is not carried out with full transparency. Egypt
Will he, won't he? Turks ponder whether Erdogan will invade Syria The unhappy Turkish president has many factors to consider if he is contemplating military intervention in Syria. Syria
Rouhani awards medals to nuclear negotiators Iranian President Hassan Rouhani awarded medals to members of his Cabinet and the nuclear negotiation team. Iran
