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
Why does Hamas want third intifada? Hamas appears ready to waive its use of armed violence to allow an intifada to gain momentum and for international recognition against Israel. Palestine
Can Iraq meet US, Russia halfway? As political forces have called for Russia to intervene in Iraq, as it has in Syria, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has been cautious about what steps to take regarding Russia and the United States. Iraq
Tunisia's fragile security While the recent Nobel Peace Prize win for Tunisia's National Dialogue Quartet is cause for celebration, the country's security situation has continued to deteriorate in the years since the Arab Spring. Algeria
Ankara’s PYD headache There is little Turkey can do at this stage to prevent Kurdish advances in northern Syria as they receive munitions to battle the Islamic State. Syria
What’s so special about Iran’s latest missile? Just days before the nuclear agreement between Tehran and the P5+1 entered the implementation phase, Iran test-fired a new precision-guided ballistic missile. Iran
Iraqi doctors plagued by threats, extortion Iraqi doctors are living under constant threat of death and kidnapping by tribes and gangs seeking to extort them in what some suspect is a plot to empty the country of its scientific assets. Iraq
Fatah official: Palestinians have nothing to lose In an interview with Al-Monitor, Maj. Gen. Jibril Rajoub said that Israel is responsible for the failure of the Oslo Accord and that the current unrest is a struggle against Israeli violence. Palestine
Syrian Christian militias liberate Hasakah Syrian Christian militia leader Ahiqar Issa talks to Al-Monitor about the reasons why Christians have taken up arms against terrorist groups in Syria. Syria
Palestinians take to the streets to protest discrimination Arab citizens of Israel are joining hands with Palestinians in the West Bank and Jerusalem, holding marches in protest of Israeli discrimination and violence as nervous Israeli forces are careful to avoid inflaming the situation further. Palestine
Will uprising bring Hamas, Fatah closer? The unity shown by the Palestinian people on the ground in their uprising against Israeli practices can be reflected on the political scene; but will Fatah and Hamas take this opportunity to end the division? Palestine
Feeling targeted, ultra-Orthodox take up arms As the wave of violence continues, many ultra-Orthodox Jews are acquiring weapons for self-defense, and the country’s firing ranges and security-guard training courses are reporting a significant uptick in ultra-Orthodox participants. Israel
German FM: Iran, Saudi tensions strengthen terrorists Germany's foreign minister encourages Ayatollah Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani to work to reduce Iran-Saudi tensions. Saudi Arabia
