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 Israel's ban on the Islamic Movement lead to further restrictions? Some observers fear that the recent ban of the Islamic Movement's northern branch might serve as a precedent for Israel to tighten the noose on its Arab citizens. Palestine
Islamic State extends its tentacles into Yemen So far, the Islamic State and al-Qaeda have not faced off militarily in Yemen, but that possibility is growing as IS escalates its violence, pushing for greater control. Yemen
Beirut bombing brings Lebanon's political parties together The Nov. 12 suicide bombing in Beirut failed to sow discord among Lebanese political parties and actually seemed to bring them closer temporarily, but their disagreements run too deep to allow for sustained cooperation. Lebanon
Turkey gambles on the Turkmens The Turkmen card Turkey is playing in Syria is likely to backfire and endanger the Turkmens. Turkey
Israel makes it official: Another wall on the way Palestinians are interested to see what kind of wall Israel will build along the Gaza border to discourage Hamas attacks. Palestine
Why defeating Islamic State won't bring stability to Iraq Competing factions have different agendas for a post-IS Iraq, paving the way for even greater conflict. Iraq
Who's afraid of the 'intifada'? The use of the expression ''wave of terror,'' rather than ''intifada,'' has created the illusion that the recent violence against Israelis will pass without the need for tangible measures to relieve the despair felt by young Palestinians. Palestine
Why IDF is urging Israeli government to keep calm, strengthen Palestinian Authority The IDF has learned its lesson from the previous intifada, recommending now to contain the terror incidents and try to spread calm, as called for by Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon, instead of launching a military confrontation. Palestine
What the new UN envoy to Libya should do first The new UN special representative to Libya, Martin Kobler, must strive to regain the trust undermined by his controversial predecessor, Bernardino Leon. Libya
Erdogan more isolated than ever on Syria The Turkish president is on the defensive after Turkey’s shooting down of a Russian warplane; the Syrian war enters a more dangerous phase. Saudi Arabia
Meetings between Turkish, Russian military reveal that Moscow had been warned Turkey and Russia both seem determined to obtain the dominant position in shaping Syria's future. Syria
Congress threatens to shut down government over Syrian refugees A look at the Middle East issues Congress will be addressing the week of Nov. 30. Iraq
![A general view of the concrete wall, part of Israel's controversial security barrier, which separates the West Bank city of Abu Dis from Jerusalem November 28, 2004. [Israel has asked French authorities to change Yasser Arafat listed place of birth on his death certificate to Cairo from Jerusalem, an Israeli official said Sunday.] - RTXN3CG](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2015/11/RTXN3CG.jpg/RTXN3CG.jpg?h=f7822858&itok=QSmQsqaB)
