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
Iranian rapper drops bomb with pro-nuke video An underground Iranian rapper who had previously been in trouble with the law sparks an online backlash after making a pro-government video. Iran
Yemenis fall victim to protection rackets in Egypt Yemenis who sought safe haven in Egypt are being robbed and threatened by gangs. Yemen
The Coalition’s quagmire with Syrian Kurds A deeper look into local dynamics challenges the narrative that the Kurdish People’s Protection Units is the only reliable and effective ground force against the Islamic State, and raises concerns about strategic end-states. Syria
When drones fall from the sky into Lebanon Two drones have fallen over Lebanon in just a few weeks, raising questions about their origin and whether the two crashes could be coincidental. Israel
Terrorists turn month of peace into time for war The holy month of Ramadan is considered a month of martyrdom and jihad for extremist organizations such as the Islamic State, which during this time recall the battles fought by Muslims throughout history. Iraq
House, Senate clash over aid to Egypt The Senate’s spending bill keeps human rights restrictions in place despite resistance from the House. Egypt
Iran nuclear deal delayed Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said an Iran nuclear deal would not be ready to be announced July 13, as China’s foreign minister urged the P5+1 and Iran to finalize the accord without further delay. Iran
Iran nuclear deal with West could help it pivot East A nuclear deal could bring about the membership of Iran in the Russia and China-led Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Egypt
Israeli defense minister says Iran deal will set off nuclear arms race in region In an interview with Al-Monitor, Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon warns that the imminent agreement with Iran will strengthen it diplomatically and economically. Israel
25 years later: Did Kuwait invasion doom Iraq? This week marks the 25th anniversary of the start of the 1990 Kuwait crisis, which played a decisive role in altering the region. Saudi Arabia
Ankara cracks down on IS; but is it too little too late? Turkey has recently moved to counter Islamic State recruitment in the country, but it faces a difficult time reintegrating jihadist returnees from Syria and Iraq, some of whom have been traumatized by their experiences. Iraq
Is the Islamic State really a terrorist group? Turkey's lawyers don't think so Turkish security services have only recently began to consider the Islamic State (IS) as a security threat, but the legal system in Turkey still does not recognize IS as a terrorist organization. Iraq
