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
Will Iran suspend hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia? After Riyadh severed diplomatic relations with Tehran and suspended direct flights between the two countries, some are wondering if Iranian pilgrims will be banned. Saudi Arabia
Saudi-Iranian crisis complicates Ankara’s regional plans Islamists and secularists alike want Turkey to stay out of the Iranian-Saudi conflict. Saudi Arabia
Three faiths, three commanders The Popular Mobilization Units, initially identified as a Shiite militia, is changing the course of the battles in Iraq with participation of Sunnis and Christians. Iraq
The truth about Gilad Shalit's five years in captivity A video released by Hamas appears to show that abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit was kept in humane conditions, yet questions remain about the motive behind the decision to release the clip. Palestine
How will Saudi-Iranian crisis affect the region? As relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran reach their worst levels yet following the Saudi execution of Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr, the United States, Russia and the European Union are exerting all possible efforts to avoid a spillover to other countries where these parties wield influence. Saudi Arabia
The Ramadi illusion The Iraqi military's long overdue capture of Ramadi is still uncertain and will hardly be enough to defeat the Islamic State. Iraq
US scrambles to curb damage from Saudi-Iranian fallout American diplomats try to salvage Syria peace efforts and avert the further deterioration of Iranian-Saudi relations after Saudi Arabia abruptly severed diplomatic relations with Iran on Jan. 3. Saudi Arabia
Candidates for president flesh out their anti-IS war plans Republican contenders agree on only one thing: Obama’s strategy isn’t working. Saudi Arabia
What does Khamenei think of Saudi Embassy attacks? Iranian officials have condemned the attack on Saudi Arabia's embassy. Saudi Arabia
On its 51st anniversary, is Fatah facing identity crisis? The leading Palestinian movement is facing an internal challenge in terms of its identity and how to bring about national liberation. Palestine
Netanyahu's strategy of hopelessness Instead of reassuring the public after the recent Tel Aviv shooting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expertly stoked the public's fears. Israel
Saudi executions signal royal worries Saudi Arabia's execution of 47 people, including a poplar Shiite cleric, point to the royal family's growing concerns about the kingdom's stability. Saudi Arabia
