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
Palestinian leadership faces foggy future A lack of progress in the peace talks, the absence of reconciliation and an aging president have once again forced discussion on the future of Palestinian leadership. Palestine
Russia's Middle East gamble Russia's historical links with the Middle East run deep, as even amidst challenges Moscow sees opportunities. Saudi Arabia
Who has 'boots on the ground' in fight against IS? A mismatch in priorities between the United States and its Sunni allies is obliging the Obama administration to rely more on Iran-backed forces to fight the group that calls itself the Islamic State. Iraq
Is Israel using Sinai attack as wedge between Hamas, Egypt? Opinions differ on whether the latest attack by IS affiliates Wilayat Sinai, who attempted to cripple the Egyptian army, would negatively impact the relationship between Hamas and Egypt. Palestine
Turkey shuts down smugglers by shooting mules The tension in villages of Uludere in Turkey that lost 34 people in an airstrike by the Turkish air force three years ago persists and frequently develops into confrontations with Turkish soldiers. Iraq
Iranian negotiators determined to reach nuclear deal Iranian diplomats have said they will continue talking until an agreement is reached or it becomes absolutely clear that one is not possible. Iran
South Beirut clashes spark deja vu The recent fighting between young pro-Future Movement Sunni men and pro-Hezbollah Shiite youth raised fears about the eruption of sectarian clashes in Lebanon, as happened on May 7, 2008. Lebanon
Is IDF gearing up to fight the Islamic State? Israeli military personnel disagree on whether a decision to unite commando units into a single brigade is driven by the Islamic State threat or the need to adapt to the changing reality of the battlefield. Near East
Iran’s Additional Protocol concerns need not stop deal Iran has little to worry about in agreeing to enforce the NPT Additional Protocol, with resources like "managed access" and precedents for dispute resolution from other countries. Iran
Israel should support Syrian 'Druzistan' In an interview with Al-Monitor, former Cabinet secretary Zvi Hauser argues that if and when the Assad regime falls in Syria, Israel should support self-rule by the local Druze population. Israel
US, Russia face off in Middle East US-Russian relations involving the Middle East could be affected by the new US National Military Strategy, which sees a low but growing risk of an "interstate war with a major power." Russia
Erdogan talks the talk but doesn't walk the walk Turkey appears to have changed its mind on Syria, and Ankara is preparing to work closer with Washington against IS, which suggests it may be moving away from prioritizing the demise of the Assad regime. Syria
