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
Egyptians throng theaters despite terror risk The severe security situation in Egypt seems to have had little effect on movie theaters, which have enjoyed high turnout this summer in spite of spiking rates of terror attacks. Egypt
How will Iran ratify the deal? In Tehran, there is intense debate about how the nuclear deal with six world powers should be ratified, with the government and conservatives split about whether to involve parliament. Iran
Iran-authored Syria plan en route to UN Not much can be done for Syria until major Middle East players agree to put aside their differences and form a united front against the Islamic State — and Iran has a four-step plan for the next phase. Syria
One year later, struggle continues for Yazidis Displacement has left Iraq’s Yazidis with very little, driving some to seek to leave the country and others to despair. Iraq
Has Israel returned to days of Jewish Underground? Ex-Shin Bet chief Avi Dichter tells Al-Monitor that despite the tragic consequences of the attack in Douma, this current manifestation of Jewish terrorism is not as well armed or well organized as that of the 1980s at the time of the Jewish Underground. Palestine
Israel lacks 'day after Abbas' plan Israel is unprepared for the possibility of PA President Mahmoud Abbas quitting his post, especially considering that his most likely heir is Marwan Barghouti, presently serving a life sentence in an Israeli prison. Palestine
Court verdicts in Libya complicate chances for peace A Libyan court handed down a death sentence to Saif al-Islam Gadhafi and former Libyan officials, sparking widespread criticism of the legitimacy of the trials. Libya
Have terrorists infiltrated Egypt’s Interior Ministry? In light of repeated assassinations in Egypt, some security experts say it is possible the Interior Ministry has been infiltrated by the Muslim Brotherhood and other terrorist organizations. Egypt
Sporadic violence follows killing of Palestinian toddler Though a popular uprising is unlikely, isolated clashes are breaking out in the West Bank as Palestinians continue to watch in vain for signs of justice and political progress at the international level. Palestine
US support of Syrian Kurds ruffles Turkey's feathers Analysts say Ankara may have no choice but to come to terms with the emerging Kurdish reality along its border with Syria. Syria
Who killed Turkey-PKK peace process? The peace process between Turkey and the Kurdish group is on hold now, thanks to a perfect storm blown by the Kurdistan Workers Party's militancy, the toxic impact of the Syrian civil war and grand political ambitions in Ankara. Turkey
Will Moscow move Meshaal toward Abbas? Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal's upcoming visit to Moscow is unlikely to bear fruit unless the movement is willing to dismantle its armed forces and make peace with the Palestinian Authority. Palestine
