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
Libya score-settling moves closer to Turkey’s borders Turkey’s intervention in the Libyan war is driving its adversaries to retaliate beyond Libya in conflict zones along Turkey’s own borders. Egypt
Egypt, Turkey show off naval strength in eastern Mediterranean Turkey conducted a military drill in the eastern Mediterranean that was followed by an Egyptian-French drill amid tensions in the region among Turkey, Greece and Cyprus on gas exploration, and between Turkey and Egypt on Libya. Egypt
Moscow, Damascus shadowbox in Syria’s grey zones The newest twist in Syria involves a Russian-backed military group working to carve out an autonomous zone for itself in the southwest and even clashing with regime forces, perhaps paradoxically seeking to boost regime's legitimacy. Syria
Egypt acquires Russian fighter jets despite US warning Russian media outlets reported that a first batch of the Su-35 fighter jets are en route to Egypt as part of a 2018 deal over which Washington threatened Cairo with sanctions. Egypt
Israeli worshipers storm police barricades at Western Wall More than the 1,000 visitors permitted to visit the Western Wall showed up on the fasting day of Tisha B’Av, leading to scuffles and removal by police. Israel
Iraqi lawmaker calls for arming tribes amid attacks on Sunni communities As several Islamic State attacks in Sunni provinces took out local commanders and a community leader in July, a lawmaker from Salahhuddin province has called for the arming of tribes in his region. Iraq
Intel: Turkish defense minister asks Congress to halt bill sanctioning Ankara Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar asked US lawmakers today to abandon legislation that would sanction Ankara over its purchase of the Russian S-400 missile defense system that the House passed last week. Turkey
Yemen’s southern separatists abandon self-rule to pursue power-sharing plan The news comes three months after the Southern Transitional Council announced self-rule in parts of southern Yemen. Saudi Arabia
Iran launches first underground missile during US-focused drill The launch follows an Iranian exercise targeting a mock US aircraft carrier yesterday. Iran
Israeli protesters attacked again in Tel Aviv President Reuven Rivlin, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition leader Yair Lapid have all condemned yesterday's violence against anti-government demonstrators. Israel
Palestinian hands tied as crime rises in East Jerusalem Palestinians living in East Jerusalem are concerned by rising crime among the Arab population and complain that Israeli security forces are turning a blind eye while blocking Palestinian security forces from establishing control. Palestine
Intel: Saudi Arabia backs Egypt on Libya Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister said his government supports Egypt’s calls for a cease-fire in Libya after a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo. Saudi Arabia
