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
More planes, more missiles, more warships: Iran increases its military budget by a third Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has commanded that President Hassan Rouhani allocate 5% of Iran's budget to military spending. Iran
Iran deal may be imminent US Secretary of State John Kerry and French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius expressed hope Iran and six world powers could finally be closing in on an Iran nuclear accord, but they and Iran’s Mohammad Javad Zarif said there was still some work to do. Iran
Iran-Russia relations after nuclear deal Russian and Iranian relations have been improving, and are expected to continue to improve even after a nuclear deal despite their being energy competitors. Saudi Arabia
Mubarak's main man speaks from beyond the grave Testimony from former Mubarak regime official Omar Suleiman, who died in 2012, has a narrative that Egypt's courts seem to be following in their cases against deposed President Mohammed Morsi. Egypt
Reversals in Vienna throw deal into doubt As negotiators try to finalize a nuclear deal, it seems differences within the P5+1 may push them past the deadline once again. Iran
Christians clash with Lebanese security forces Lebanon has been without a president for over a year now, and sectarian sensitivities are at their highest. Lebanon
Aleppo once again in the eye of the storm It is total chaos in Aleppo where the regime and the opposition are fighting to reign supreme. Syria
Why Iraq needs to depoliticize their Popular Mobilization Units Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units are made up of several groups whose political interests differ, clashing sometimes, which is causing the units to shift focus from the most urgent need — fighting the Islamic State. Iraq
Israel-Hamas prisoner exchange deal hits snag Public acknowledgment that an Israeli man is allegedly being held in Gaza has complicated negotiations between Israel and Hamas for his return, along with the remains of two IDF soldiers, in exchange for Hamas prisoners in Israeli jails. Palestine
Iranian nuclear talks go on even if 'clock strikes midnight' US Secretary of State John Kerry said Iran nuclear deal must withstand the test of time and "we will not be rushed" as negotiations continue past a US congressional deadline. Iran
Zarif's comeback spawns hashtag After Iran's top nuclear negotiator Mohammad Javad Zarif reportedly said "Never threaten an Iranian" during the nuclear talks, Iranians took to Twitter to respond. Iran
The world fails Yemen As Yemen languishes in the highest-level humanitarian crisis the UN recognizes, the situation is not helped by an unbalanced and ineffectual Security Council resolution. Saudi Arabia
