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
Hebron activists challenge IDF narrative on shooting Hebron residents who documented the incident in which a young Palestinian woman was shot by an IDF soldier in Hebron contradict the IDF's story. Palestine
What will it take for US to restart Israeli-Palestinian peace talks? Any negotiations over an Israeli unity government must include a demand by the Zionist Camp for a clear path leading to negotiations, based on the 1967 lines, with stringent security measures and at least a qualified acceptance of the Saudi initiative. Palestine
Israel looks to respond to stones with bullets Rather than offering new diplomatic horizons, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has extended the West Bank’s open-fire orders against Palestinian youth throwing stones also to East Jerusalem, thereby separating Jerusalem's two intertwined zones. Palestine
Is Iran deal stopping regional cooperation? Despite the nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers, it appears that an improvement in Saudi-Iranian relations in the short term is unlikely, if not impossible. Saudi Arabia
Russian role in Syria still anyone's guess It's difficult to tell how involved Russia plans to become in fighting terrorism in the Middle East, let alone how it might approach such an undertaking. Syria
Do Erdogan’s post-Moscow visit remarks indicate change in Syria policy? Following talks with his Russian counterpart, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vaguely hints at a change in Ankara’s position on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Turkey
Khamenei condemns Saudi Arabia for hajj stampede Iranian officials have blamed Saudi management of the hajj for the stampede that left at least 125 Iranians dead. Legacy: Gulf
Putin supports Erdogan in Turkey, but not in Syria Despite his perceived alignment with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan came back from his trip to Moscow disappointed. Turkey
What 'bombshell' will Abbas drop at upcoming UN speech? Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has promised a dramatic declaration at the coming UN General Assembly that some believe will include an ultimatum to Israel: Freeze settlement building or assume responsibility for security throughout the West Bank. Palestine
Senate lays off Iranian banks in latest draft of post-deal bill The latest iteration of Sen. Ben Cardin's pending legislation addresses many — but not all — of its critics' concerns Congress
How Palestinian security forces are cracking down on their own people The Palestinian security forces in the West Bank are often put in an unenviable position when having to suppress their own people, particularly when it comes to protecting Israelis. Palestine
Soaring bad debts sound alarm in Turkey Political uncertainty and conflict with the PKK are taking their toll on the Turkish economy, with the number and value of bounced checks on the rise, threatening company bankruptcies and fresh woes in the banking sector. Turkey
