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
Turkey reconsiders security priorities The recent raid on Islamic State safe houses in Diyarbakir has shed light on the organization's activities in Turkey and prompted Turkey to reconsider its top security priorities. Turkey
What's happening in Gaza's detention centers? Al-Monitor was given exclusive access to testimonies of former female detainees who were subjected to several forms of torture, which officials deny. Palestine
Lebanon's schools do double duty to educate both Syrian, Lebanese students The Lebanese Ministry of Education is working with international donors to increase the country’s capacity to secure education for the large number of displaced Syrian children. Lebanon
State Department nominees face grilling over Iran deal Congressional angst over the JCPOA could spell trouble for diplomatic nominations. Congress
Iran enters Syria talks without preconditions Iranian officials have entered the negotiations to find a political solution to the Syrian civil war though they will not accept conditions for President Bashar al-Assad's removal. Syria
Is Abadi key to resolving Kurdish conflict? As the political divide and violent protests worsen in Iraqi Kurdistan, will Baghdad be able to keep the situation under control through peaceful means? Iraq
Will Big Brother be able to bring peace to Temple Mount? Instead of installing cameras at the Temple Mount compound to discourage security violations, religious leaders should advocate turning the place into a global center of peace and human solidarity. Palestine
On eve of Syria peace talks, Saudi Arabia questions Russian, Iranian intentions The United States welcomed the decision by Iran’s foreign minister to attend international talks on trying to end the Syrian war, while Saudi Arabia remained cautious. Syria
Is Turkey setting a Kurdish trap? In the lead-up to Turkey's Nov. 1 parliamentary elections, skeptics of the government are wondering if Ankara will resort to something "extreme" in Syria. Syria
Israel goes back to business as usual in post-Iran deal era The visit of Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon this week to Washington and the upcoming visit there of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will both focus on Israeli demands for US military support. Israel
Syria's 'holy war' The Russian Orthodox Church's description of Moscow's intervention in Syria as a "holy war" has created a buzz among Lebanese Christians. Lebanon
Why some Palestinian journalists struggle with when to put down the camera Palestinian journalists covering the current events in Jerusalem and the West Bank are torn between the professionalism their jobs require and their sense of nationalism, often conveying a subjective image of the news. Palestine
