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
Morocco battles Islamic State cells After attacks in neighboring Tunisia, Morocco is doing all it can to crack down on Islamic State sympathizers. United Arab Emirates
Khamenei: We will not negotiate under 'specter of threats' Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's harsh words were likely a response to comments by US Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State John Kerry, who have suggested that the military option is still on the table. Iran
Will Erdogan's backtracking torpedo PKK disarmament? The Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) has dropped plans to convene a congress to renounce its armed struggle after hostile outbursts by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and government officials. Turkey
Restrictions on Iraq's displaced people worsen Shiite-Sunni divide Discrimination against Sunnis by Shiites is rampant in Iraq, raising distrust between Sunni and Shiite communities and aggravating the situation of internally displaced people. Iraq
Price impact of Iranian oil uncertain, says US official In an interview with Al-Monitor, Amos Hochstein, special envoy and coordinator for International Energy Affairs at the US State Department, says Middle Eastern countries are increasingly investing in renewables, international oil companies are returning to Egypt and Israel needs get its regulatory house in order if it wants foreign investments in offshore natural gas. Legacy: Gulf
Congress ponders next step for rejecting Iran deal Republicans won't let a veto threat stop them from voicing their opposition. Congress
Who is bombing Egypt's electricity towers? The recurrent targeting of electricity towers in Egypt has increased accusations against the Muslim Brotherhood, which has wide control within the Ministry of Electricity and Energy, as some claim that they are working with terrorist groups against the current regime. Egypt
Saudi re-reshuffle turning point for relations with Tehran King Salman's recent reshuffling of key positions and statements by the grand mufti and Iran's supreme leader point to strife between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Legacy: Gulf
More divisions reported between Hamas' political, military wings Hamas representatives have downplayed reports and said that the movement's leaders are on the same page. Palestine
Iraqis need to build state, not just defeat IS Iraqis cannot liberate their country from the Islamic State unless they are able to create a unified state representing all interests. Iraq
Iraq's Sunni fighting force still months away Baghdad is still debating the national guard plan that would seek to integrate Sunnis into the battle against the Islamic State. Iraq
Turkish military puts brakes on Syrian intervention While a Turkish military operation against Syria is unlikely, Mosul is another story. Legacy: Gulf
