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
Soleimani: US power in region has declined Quds Force head Qasem Soleimani addressed Iran's Assembly of Experts about regional issues including Iraq, US influence and the wars in Syria and Yemen. Iran
IS intensifies attacks outside Aleppo After news broke of the US-Turkish plan to establish a safe zone in Syria, the Islamic State stepped up operations against opposition forces in Aleppo's northern countryside. Syria
Turkey's 'foot-dragging' on fight against IS continues Diplomats say Turkey’s sincerity will be judged by its determination to continue its active support of the US-led coalition against the Islamic State. Syria
The Iraqi Kurds' waning love affair with Turkey Relations between the Turkish government and the Kurdistan Regional Government look likely to deteriorate as Turkey escalates its war against the Kurdistan Workers Party. Iraq
State Department: Middle East needs 10-year plan including pressure on Iran, improved US relations with Sunni countries The international community allotted the Iran agreement at least 10 years, a time frame that, according to a State Department official, may be necessary "to stabilize the region and to implement the two-state solution." Palestine
Why Iraq needs a united Sunni authority to face extremism Sunnis in Iraq ought to drop their differences and form a united institution, which would also be supported by Shiites, in order to confront religious extremism. Iraq
Turkey’s protracted PKK problem Although many Kurds do not like the leftist and secular agenda of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), the PKK has shown great resilience, in part as the result of the fragmented Iraqi and Syrian states and political missteps by Turkey. Iraq
With Khobar bomber's arrest, Saudi Arabia deals blow to Iran With the recent arrest of the Khobar Tower bomber, Saudi-Iranian tensions have been elevated to new levels. Saudi Arabia
PKK looks to the future with creation of youth militias Spiraling urban violence is spearheaded by the PKK’s young militias. Turkey
Syria's Palestinians divided over whom to support The war in Syria has split the allegiance of some Palestinians, with Hamas in Yarmouk supporting the armed opposition and those in Nairab aligned with the Syrian regime. Palestine
What happens when a young Israeli soldier chases children who throw rocks Young Israeli soldiers, trained to fight wars, are finding themselves caught up in battles they can't win against a foe that knows how to use the power of imagery. Palestine
Iranian ambassador to the UAE: Iran wants to remove tensions with neighbors Mohammad Reza Fayyaz, the Iranian ambassador to the UAE, blames Saudi Arabia for many of the problems in the region. Saudi Arabia
