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
Netanyahu's partition of Jerusalem While Israeli conservatives sanctify a united Jerusalem, many of them also support walling off some Palestinian neighborhoods that were annexed in 1967. Palestine
What drives the new, lone-wolf attackers? The lone-wolf attackers are "a new model stemming from total aversion toward the entire Palestinian political establishment as well as deep disappointment with the failure of the previous generation to deliver on its promises." Palestine
Iraqi Kurdistan's brewing crisis In addition to Iraqi Kurdistan's struggle with the Islamic State, now it has to cope with domestic crises that may require intervention by the US and Europe. Iraq
How Turkey is leveraging the Kurds By threatening Syrian Kurds, Turkey is settling accounts with its ally, the United States, and trade partner Russia. Syria
The danger of Iraq's informants Thousands of Iraqis were arrested based on information provided by informants and turned out to be innocent, thus raising questions about Iraq’s judiciary system and human rights policies. Iraq
As unrest expands, Gaza's women rise up Women are joining the protests against Israeli soldiers on the eastern border of Gaza City. Palestine
Are we witnessing ‘Syrianization’ of Turkey? Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan claims “no difference” between Islamic State and Syrian Kurdish group backed by the United States; Syrian opposition groups reject UN talks; did Netanyahu ignore warnings about an intifada? Palestine
Is the military the Achilles’ heel of the Turkish government? After years of arrest and imprisonment, released officers of the Turkish Armed Forces seek justice and raise red flags about the future of the military. Turkey
Europe seen as wild card as Iran nuclear deal goes into effect Critics of the nuclear agreement with Iran urge US President Barack Obama to set firm limits on international sanctions relief early on. Iran
The rise of Persian-Arab racial tensions The recent spate of deadly incidents involving Iranians during the hajj leads to ballooning Persian-Arab racism on the Web. Saudi Arabia
Is Ankara putting out false information about peace rally bombings? Despite ample intelligence warnings, the bombers of the Ankara peace rally were able to accomplish their mission, assisted not only by security failures and negligence but also by the political climate. Syria
Who is leading the intifada? Two weeks into the outbreak of security clashes between Palestinians and settlers in Jerusalem, Palestinian factions have yet to step in and lead the popular uprising. Palestine
