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
Turkey rounds up scores of citizens with alleged Gulen links A majority of those arrested were active members of the air force or police. Turkey
Shin Bet halts surveillance of coronavirus patients With Shin Bet head Nadav Argaman reluctant and faced with public objections, the Israeli government has suspended consideration of a bill legalizing the electronic tracking of those infected with the novel coronavirus. Israel
Erdogan transforms neighborhood watchmen into loyalist force Turkish lawmakers are considering a bill to empower the country's controversial neighborhood watch in what critics say is a ploy to give the president a vigilante force under his direct control. Turkey
Egypt, Italy to ink major arms deal despite human rights concerns Italy is expected to approve its largest ever military deal with Egypt despite opposition from some Italian parties. Egypt
COVID-19 compounds economic crises in Yemen, Jordan, Palestine Recent reports signal conditions going from bad to worse. Yemen
Intel: Pompeo discusses Libya truce with Abu Dhabi's crown prince Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stressed the need for Libya’s warring parties to cease hostilities during a phone call with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed, the deputy supreme commander of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces, which backs Libyan warlord Khalifa Hifter. United Arab Emirates
Intel: Key Republican questions Pentagon’s proposed military training program The Republican chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee is pushing back on a Pentagon proposal to train foreign military officers from the Middle East and elsewhere, arguing that it unnecessarily replicates an existing program run by the State Department. United States
Is Islamic State making a comeback in Sinai? A researcher says repeated attacks by Islamic militants in Sinai show that Egyptian forces must be ever vigilant. Egypt
Libya’s UN-backed government regains full control of Tripoli After capturing the city's airport, the Government of National Accord in Libya says it has regained full control of Tripoli. Libya
Will Moscow save the West Bank from annexation? The Palestinian leadership is looking to Russia for help resisting Israel's annexation plans. Palestine
What to expect from entente between Moscow, Ankara in Libya As Moscow intensifies its involvement in the Libyan conflict, the US State Department is stepping up pressure against Russian destabilization. Libya
Gunmen kill Yemeni journalist in Aden A Yemeni photographer has become the 16th journalist to be killed in Yemen since the start of the country’s civil war. Yemen
