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
Pentagon outlines its '3Rs' Islamic State strategy Democrats and Republicans alike have misgivings about the Pentagon's push for a greater US role in Iraq and Syria. Iraq
UNHCR head: It's time for Europe to get its act together Outgoing UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres says it's urgent to find a political solution to the war in Syria. Syria
Iranian officials justify soldier deaths in Syria The deputy commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps addresses the number of Iranian soldiers' deaths recently in Syria. Lebanon
When it comes to foreign policy, will Erdogan resort to 'wily Oriental means'? The best-case scenario for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and the worst-case scenario for Turkey, could be the failure of possible coalition talks after the snap elections. Syria
Merkel's 'indecent proposal' to Erdogan German Chancellor Angela Merkel's impromptu visit to Istanbul on behalf of the EU was highly criticized as a desperate gift to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as Turkey's elections draw close. Turkey
What it means when Israel threatens to revoke citizenship Many Arabs fear that Israel's increasing right-wing tendency will open the way for more laws targeting Arab citizens of Israel. Palestine
After its own citizens drown, Lebanese refocus on refugee crisis The refugee crisis in Lebanon has again made headlines with the drowning deaths of Lebanese fleeing the border region due to the Syrian war and heading for Europe. Lebanon
NSC opens office to oversee Iran deal implementation NSC Senior Director for non-proliferation Paul Irwin is set to head a new NSC directorate on implementation of the Iran nuclear deal. Congress
Why Kerry is prioritizing Syria over Israeli-Palestinian peace Calming Israeli-Palestinian tensions is seen as limited mission as US Secretary of State John Kerry embarks on a new round of international diplomacy on Syria. Palestine
Why Iran doesn't want to stay in Yemen Despite hopes of expanded Iranian assistance, Yemen's Houthis are unlikely to receive the kind of help Tehran extends to Lebanon's Hezbollah. Saudi Arabia
Who is behind violence against the Kurds? Probes into a recent wave of mob violence against Kurds in Turkey suggest connivance between assailants, economic actors and the authorities. Turkey
Yemen's decaying religious history Historic sites are being destroyed by the civil war in Yemen’s once-peaceful city of Aden, known for its history of diversity and coexistence. Yemen
