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
US lets two Iran banks off UN sanctions list The United States, in a confidence-building gesture with Iran, did not block a Venezuelan request to delist two Iranian banks from a UN Security Council sanctions list. Iran
Khamenei questions US commitment to nuke deal As implementation of the nuclear deal begins, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned that the United States may not live up to its obligations. Iran
Ankara plays favorites with Iraqi, Syrian Turkmens Ankara could face a nationalist backlash at home for favoring the Kurds over the Turkmens in Iraq. Iraq
Kurdish leader warns of civil war in Turkey Turkey’s security crackdown in the Kurdish-majority southeast could spill over to the country’s west and eventually become a civil war, warns Kurdish politician Kamuran Yuksek in an interview with Al-Monitor. Turkey
Why the world questions Turkey's stance on Islamic State Reasons are mounting to doubt Turkey's dedication to battling the Islamic State. Iraq
Why Israel is keeping a close eye on Iran’s parliamentary elections Some Israeli security experts view the Iran nuclear deal and lifting of sanctions with cautious optimism, and consider upcoming elections a test case to see what path the Iranian people will choose. Israel
Assassinations, chaos cripple Yemen's Aden Yemen's temporary capital Aden has turned into a scene of bloody operations against government, security and military officials. Yemen
Former Israeli minister calls removal of Iran sanctions a 'black day' Former Minister Ephraim Sneh argues that the US administration was so keen to sign the nuclear deal that it ignored Iran's true nature and global aspirations. Israel
Obama, Rouhani hail diplomacy as Americans fly home President Barack Obama heralds his administration’s multichannel diplomacy with Iran for freeing detained Americans and implementing the nuclear deal and says there is an "opportunity" to pursue a new path with Iran. Iran
Ankara's colorful mayor declares US ambassador persona non grata The US ambassador’s comments on respecting freedom of speech are challenged by Ankara's mayor — a shrewd social media expert — but not by the government. Turkey
Syrian endgame could begin with Aleppo Aleppo could begin healing in Syria; Syrian armed group backed by US allies seeks caliphate; FSA leader says US “moving toward being a partner in crime” in Syria; Hagel says US Syria policy was paralyzed over "Assad must go." Syria
Iran frees five Americans as nuclear deal goes into effect Iran has released five American prisoners including Washington Post correspondent Jason Rezaian, in an apparent swap with Iranians jailed in the United States for sanctions violations. Iran
