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
Is the US a threat to Israel? US efforts to crack the Israeli drone encryption system have caused some to question whether or not America is still an ally of Israel. Israel
Palestinian security torn between intifada, duty The attack near the Beit El settlement this weekend is the second one by a Palestinian security officer, and there is immense pressure from the Palestinian street on others to join the uprising. Palestine
Congress eyes Syrian refugee threat — from Canada A look at the Middle East issues Congress will be addressing the week of Feb. 1. Israel
Should armed groups allied with al-Qaeda be included in Syria peace talks? Our answer is no; Erekat’s “main priority is not to allow IS to raise its flag in Palestine”; Turkey responds to Biden with fake news. Palestine
Will sanctions prompt Iran to boost missile program? Washington’s imposition of new missile sanctions on Iran a mere day after the implementation of the nuclear deal appears to have caused a backlash. Congress
Will Syrian regime's advances on the ground strengthen their position in Geneva? In line with its policy of closing borders and cutting off supply routes, the Syrian regime has launched an offensive on the town of Hirbnafsah on the border between Homs and Hama a few days before Geneva III. Syria
Palestinian women increasingly targeted online The rise in social media in the West Bank and Gaza Strip has been accompanied by an increase in cybercrime, but many women are reluctant to report it. Palestine
Who's to blame for recent kidnappings in Iraq? Many foreign diplomats and workers have been kidnapped in Iraq by armed gangs that have been spreading in the absence of security measures, which could damage diplomatic representation. Saudi Arabia
How Palestinian media contributes to cycle of incitement Young Palestinians are being influenced by misleading video clips aired on the PA's official TV network, presenting those who attack Israelis as victims. Palestine
Iraq struggles to combat evolving terrorist threat The Islamic State has developed a new way to conduct its terror operations, while the Iraqi government is unable to prevent security breaches. Iraq
Under pressure from Turkey, UN excludes PYD from Syria talks Turkey has won the battle over the Syrian Kurdish nationalist Democratic Union Party by blackmailing the United States into leaving the group out of the Geneva III talks. Syria
Meet one of Hezbollah's teen fighters As more young Lebanese Hezbollah fighters travel to Syria, Al-Monitor spoke with one of these boys about their reasons for waging jihad and the training they go through before joining the fight. Lebanon
