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 the Gulf isn't to blame for Syrian refugee crisis Oil-rich Gulf states are defending their record in assisting Syrian refugees as world opinion grows more hostile to their perceived indifference. Legacy: Gulf
Ongoing violence, curfews keep doctors from tending to sick in southeast Turkey Alarm bells are ringing for the health sector in Turkey’s conflict-ridden southeast as draconian security measures and simmering violence disrupt medical services and lead to civilian deaths. Turkey
Syrian regime displaces Zabadani residents Syria’s Madaya is under siege and suffering from an influx of people displaced by the regime's attacks on Zabadani. Syria
US sanctions Hamas leaders, but why now? Hamas suspects the United States is trying — but failing — to undermine the movement's truce efforts by designating three Hamas leaders as terrorists. Palestine
Opposition-regime swap deal in Syria frozen until further notice A Lebanese official told Al-Monitor that the swap deal discussed between the Syrian army and Hezbollah and the opposition fighters concerning Zabadani and two Shiite villages in Idlib province has been postponed until the outcome of King Salman’s visit to the United States unfolds. Lebanon
'Guests of God' pay high price Has the commercialization of the pilgrimage to Mecca overshadowed the Saudi leadership’s goal of serving Muslims? Saudi Arabia
Zarif testifies before parliament’s nuclear deal committee Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif testified before parliament's special committee to review the final comprehensive nuclear deal. Iran
Is Turkey ignoring Islamic State threats against Christians? Turkey’s tiny Protestant community has received recent threats believed to be from the Islamic State, but as in the past, state authorities have failed to take measures to protect the community. Turkey
Turkey, PKK clashes continue, but will there be a winner? The spiral of violence that engulfed Turkey on July 20 is worsening by the day. Turkey
Did Jabhat al-Nusra kill 'allied' FSA Commander Radoon? Responsibility for the assassination of Free Syrian Army Cmdr. Jamil Radoon Aug. 26 remains unclaimed, raising suspicions whether Jabhat al-Nusra could be behind this act. Syria
Why some Lebanese say arrest of Assir was not enough Lebanese security forces have arrested Salafist Sheikh Ahmad al-Assir in an operation that, while lauded by many, has stirred debate about the deepening sectarian tensions in the country. Lebanon
Egypt's mosque minders: The rise of surveillance cameras in places of worship Since the overthrow of Mohammed Morsi, the Egyptian Ministry of Religious Endowments has been trying to quell the spread of extremism in mosques, but critics warn these steps could threaten basic rights. Egypt
