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
Revolutionary Guard leader slams US, criticizes deal The head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said in an interview that there were problems with the draft resolution passed today by the United Nations Security Council. Congress
Kurds push back against charges of ethnic cleansing A visit to northern Syria casts doubts on claims that Kurds are carrying out ethnic cleansing in the area. Syria
When children have to provide: Syrian refugees struggle in Jordan A lack of schools and teachers in Jordan along with hurdles preventing Syrian adults from working have led to Syrian refugee children increasingly working illegally to support their families. Jordan
US, EU take strong stand against Israeli demolition plan Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has remained silent about plans to destroy the West Bank village of Susiya despite calls by the United States and the European Union to rescind the demolition orders. Palestine
Obama calls for 'practical conversation' between Iran, Arab states US President Barack Obama tells Arab Gulf allies to “stop giving Iran opportunities for mischief”; Zarif says Iran “ready to engage” with Arab countries; Netanyahu weighs political costs of Iran deal. Legacy: Gulf
Syrian refugees' US resettlement stalled over security concerns Critics say the United States should accept 65,000 Syrian refugees by the end of next year, but the numbers are likely to fall far short. Syria
Fallujah liberation key to securing Anbar The Iraqi government’s announcement of the Anbar battle will allow the Iraqi forces to liberate Fallujah, and then Ramadi, as long as they are not trapped in the war of attrition waged by the Islamic State. Iraq
The Palestinian dancer who was locked away Lina Khattab, an 18-year-old dancer and university student, tells Al-Monitor about her ordeal when Israeli forces arrested her and says she hopes she can show the world the suffering of the Palestinians. Palestine
Netanyahu rejects US offer of military support; IDF says not so fast Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejects again the US offer for a security-compensation package, unlike the IDF that is taking the agreement as a done deal and wishes to cooperate closely with the United States on security follow-up. Israel
What are Iran's conservatives saying about the nuclear deal? Iran's conservatives are warning that a nuclear deal with the five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany will not necessarily lead to better relations with the United States. Congress
West Bank community welcomes Khader Adnan home from Israeli prison The story of Khader Adnan, who was arrested twice by Israel and recently released, garnered public sympathy in Palestine and throughout the world. Palestine
Italian Consulate bombing hits home for Cairo, Rome The security situation in Egypt is precarious, with little hope for future improvement. Egypt
