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
Senate prepares to review Iran nuclear deal The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has started holding classified briefings to prepare members to review the terms of a prospective Iran nuclear deal next month. Iran
How do we solve Iran talks' verification dilemma? The issue of inspections of Iranian military facilities and the interrogation of Iranian scientists has quickly become the most controversial aspect of the nuclear negotiations in Iran. Congress
Hezbollah's media machine changes gears The media has always been a focus for Hezbollah, but the group has recently changed its message. Lebanon
Is new ambassador sign of thaw in Baghdad-Riyadh relations? Saudi Arabia restores diplomatic relations with Iraq by appointing an ambassador to Baghdad, but the kingdom will need to recognize the diversity of the Shiite political actors in Iraq and shift its foreign policy accordingly. Saudi Arabia
Palestinian men face prison sentences for Facebook posts Facebook posts by a number of Palestinian men have been deemed inciteful to violence by the magistrate’s court in Jerusalem, amid public uproar calling the legality of the charges into question. Palestine
Is Iran worried about IS on its border? Statements by Iranian officials suggest that they are worried about the Islamic State reaching their borders and even carrying out attacks inside Iran. Iran
Al-Azhar controversy leads to curriculum updates Al-Azhar curricula is being updated following accusations of extremism, which has caused controversy among religious thinkers and authorities. Egypt
Gaza's crowded political scene In the absence of an applicable law governing partisan life in Palestine, the Gaza Strip has seen the emergence of dozens of new factions since 2000. Palestine
Fall of the Israeli Foreign Ministry The traditional roles of the ministry — namely building bridges of common interests with the international community or engaging in a viable Middle East peace process — have evaporated with Israel's most right-wing government. Palestine
Gazans nervous as next freedom flotilla nears After successive failed attempts, a third freedom flotilla will set sail to the Gaza Strip, though many activists expect Israeli opposition. Palestine
Islamic State infiltrates Iraqi Kurdistan The Islamic State is exploiting divides in Iraqi Kurdistan to radicalize youths. Iraq
The 'Caliphate Cubs' of IS According to witnesses, the Islamic State has been recruiting children in Iraq and Syria and enrolling them in special training camps. Iraq
