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
The Saudi predicament The execution of a prominent Shiite cleric jeopardizes already fragile international efforts to end the wars in Syria and Yemen. Saudi Arabia
Former defense minister condemns Bibi's 'divisive' message In an interview with Al-Monitor, former Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz insists that despite the current violence, it's time for Israel to present a new diplomatic initiative and "initiate and lead" instead of "blaming the other side." Palestine
Kurds on hunger strike for bodies of dead relatives Kurdish families have launched a hunger strike to get the bodies of relatives killed while fighting with the security forces in Turkey’s conflict-ravaged southeast. Turkey
Is Hamas honing its negotiating tactics with Israel? What are the possible motives behind Hamas’ recent revelation of a secret unit that handles captured Israeli soldiers and its release of details about freed prisoner Gilad Shalit's incarceration? Palestine
Forces fight for strategic Syrian gateway to south The Syrian opposition incurred heavy losses during a recent regime attack on the key city of al-Shaykh Maskin, but it is already regaining ground as power quickly shifts from one side to the other. Syria
Is Iran deal the GOP's new Obamacare? Iran sanctions bills have always been bipartisan. Not anymore. Congress
What did Saudi Embassy attackers want? Some in Iran suspect the "rogue elements" who attacked Saudi Arabia's embassy intended to sabotage the administration's foreign policy goals of improving relations with foreign countries post-nuclear deal. Saudi Arabia
Was Syria intervention worth it for Russia? While Moscow's military involvement in the Syria crisis has led to an increasingly important role for Russia in regional and global politics, critics wonder whether or not the costs will outweigh the benefits. Syria
Has Turkey’s regional power grab come to an end? Turkey is forfeiting its claims for regional supremacy by joining the Saudi-led Sunni alliance and making friendly overtures toward Israel. Saudi Arabia
Brother of executed Saudi cleric says Nimr is 'martyr against injustice' In an interview with Al-Monitor, Mohammed al-Nimr, the brother of the Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr, who was executed by Saudi Arabia, speaks about his family’s reaction, responses inside and outside Saudi Arabia and the fate of his brother’s body. Legacy: Gulf
Has Ankara abandoned Iraq’s Turkmens? Shiite Turkmens of Iraq, feeling that Turkey has failed them, are fighting with Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units. Iraq
What are the real goals of Riyadh’s new Islamic coalition? The Saudi-led Islamic coalition was not formed to only combat IS, but also to determine the future of Sunni areas in the conflict areas in Syria and Iraq. Saudi Arabia
