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
Mixed reactions in Tehran to opening of UK embassy Iranian police confront members of the Basij as Britain reopens its embassy in Tehran. Iran
Hoping to counter Iran, former Israeli defense official calls on Riyadh to add 'security annex' to Arab Peace Initiative With Iran getting stronger and more self-confident, Saudi Arabia should add a "security annex" to its original Arab Peace Initiative to establish a defense cooperation framework between Israel and select Arab states. Legacy: Gulf
Orwell’s 1984 comes to life in Erdogan’s 2015 Turkey Turkey’s president has called on community leaders in villages and neighborhoods to report on “terrorists” in their communities. Turkey
Syria’s lords of war Car dealer and amateur astronomer Hatim Ali Staiti became a warlord and now commands a notorious militia known for fighting for the regime. Syria
Has Israel found its savior? The publication of recordings of former Prime Minister Ehud Barak blaming Israeli politicians for blocking an attack on Iran may have been designed to rebuild his image as Mr. Security and portray him as the only alternative to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel
Gazans use WhatsApp to see what's up with the news Virtual communication application WhatsApp has taken on a more media-oriented role in the Gaza Strip, whereby media outlets are now using it to send news to subscribers, but there are still things to be improved. Palestine
Kurdish fighters struggle to pay bills Peshmerga fighters are committed to fighting the Islamic State, even though their salaries are not enough to make ends meet. Iraq
Kidnapped Lebanese soldiers spared despite arrest of Salafist cleric The Lebanese General Security’s arrest of Ahmad al-Assir raised concerns about the life of the kidnapped soldiers in the Bekaa, although a security official confirms that there are no apparent ties between Assir and Jabhat al-Nusra, which is holding the soldiers hostage. Lebanon
Audio tapes reveal how Ehud Barak attempted to rewrite history with Iran Associates of former Prime Minister Ehud Barak leaked tapes indicating that Barak supported an attack on Iran in 2012, but other sources suggest that he then changed his mind and was the person who actually blocked an eventual strike. Israel
Security Council: Syria 'largest humanitarian crisis in the world' UN, Russia and Iran coordinate new diplomatic effort on Syria; what did Zarif tell Nasrallah?; Egyptian government rejects mediation with Muslim Brotherhood; did US-trained force coordinate with Jabhat al-Nusra? Qatar
Will Jordan agree to set up a 'safe zone' on Syrian border? Jordan is considering the option of establishing a safe zone along its border with Syria, amid lack of US support for Turkey’s attempts to do the same on its southern border. Jordan
Exploring the 'other Syria' Syria’s regime-controlled cities defy the image that outside observers paint of the country and the Assad government. Syria
