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 weighs more aggressive action as Hamas leader backs 'intifada' The Israeli prime minister is under pressure from the Israeli right as Israeli-Palestinian violence escalates; Syrian Kurdish leaders back Russian intervention to battle the Islamic State. Palestine
US to arm Syrian Kurds, rebel groups fighting IS The Pentagon will pause its beleaguered Syria train and equip program to instead provide arms and air support to Syrian Kurdish and Arab rebel groups already fighting the Islamic State. Syria
What could 'harsh' Iranian reaction to Riyadh constitute? Amid increasingly heated rhetoric between Iran and Saudi Arabia, the question arises of what a "harsh" reaction that Tehran has warned of may actually entail. Saudi Arabia
Iranian general killed in Syria came back for special operation An Iranian general recently killed in Syria had returned to Tehran nearly a year ago and went back to Syria recently to take part in a special operation. Syria
Russia’s Syria strikes hold both strategic, symbolic importance Syrian rebels are holding their ground in the south, but Russia is keeping the opposition in check. Syria
Bibi looks to score political points from current wave of terror Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has addressed the public directly after the stabbing in Tel Aviv, telling Israelis that they aren't facing a new intifada and that Israel's most experienced security chiefs are capable of containing the violence. Palestine
Syria's increasingly congested skies In addition to warplanes over Syria, cruise missiles are now carving out airspace. Syria
Could Saudi-Iraqi ties be key to defeating Islamic State? As both Iraq and Saudi Arabia are threatened by the same enemy — that is, extremist groups — the two countries ought to build positive relations for the good of the region. Saudi Arabia
Hamas turns blind eye to Fatah’s military activities in Gaza Fatah-affiliated militias are operating in Gaza to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’ displeasure and with no restrictions from Hamas, which says it welcomes every contribution to an armed resistance against Israel. Palestine
Syrian Kurdish leader: Moscow wants to work with us A senior leader in the PYD is in Washington seeking more military support and expressing ambivalence about Russia’s latest intervention. Syria
Iran key player in global war on drugs It is time for the world to engage with Tehran to assist its war on drugs, and to acknowledge Iran as an important player in combating the global illegal drug trade. Iran
A different kind of intifada The sustainability and longevity of the current protests in Palestine seem dependent upon the continuation of violence and whether or not people manage to stay hopeful. Palestine
