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
Salehi reveals new details of secret US, Iran back channel In an extensive interview, Ali Akbar Salehi, Iran's atomic chief and former foreign minister, reveals new details of the secret back channel to the United States. Oman
Is Iran retreating from Syria? Iranian military commanders have responded to a report from Bloomberg quoting US officials about Iran retreating from Syria. Syria
How much leverage does Russia have in Syria? While the United States and Russia set aside differences to pass a UN Security Council resolution on a political process in Syria, questions remain concerning Moscow's ability to persuade Damascus to accept any future agreement. Syria
Why are so many staying silent on the Kurdish conflict? Kurds and Turks in the western provinces of Turkey are reluctant to raise their voices about the prolonged Kurdish conflict. Turkey
Why Bennett is siding with the Shin Bet HaBayit HaYehudi Chair Naftali Bennett has expressed his unequivocal support for the Shin Bet in the face of claims that it tortured the suspected murderers of the Dawabsha family. Israel
Netanyahu's five-pronged strategy to delay a two-state solution Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has a multi-element, comprehensive plan to thwart the threat of negotiations toward a two-state solution. Palestine
UN hopes to hit 'moving target' of Syria talks by late January UN Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura hopes to hold the first talks between representatives of the Syrian regime and opposition in almost two years in Geneva by the end of January. Syria
What's Saudi's new Islamic coalition really up to? Not a lot is known about Saudi Arabia's newly announced Islamic Military Alliance, leaving observers to ponder its prospects. Saudi Arabia
How Turkey’s foreign affairs 'strongman' left his mark Sources say Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s close circle is keen to develop the relationship with Israel in terms of the energy dimension in the wake of the crisis with Russia. Israel
Did Erdogan give up Gaza in return for Israeli gas? Erdogan’s ambition for a presidential system keeps him from dropping the Gaza precondition for the settlement of sour relations with Israel, but this does not stop the two sides from cooperating on natural gas. Palestine
Palestinians counter Israel's wrecking balls with fundraisers Israel has been destroying the houses of the Palestinians who carried out armed attacks against Israelis to deter others from doing the same, but the families' friends and neighbors are reacting with even greater determination to rebuild. Palestine
How will Nasrallah retaliate for death of Hezbollah leader in Syria? Hezbollah’s Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah vowed to respond to Samir Kuntar’s assassination in Syria. Israel
