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
Why is Israel still silent on Armenian genocide? Israel has not joined the EU Parliament and the pope in officially recognizing the Armenian genocide, partly because of its strategic alliance with Azerbaijan against Iran. Israel
Defense bill takes aim at Iran The must-pass legislation requires Pentagon strategy for countering Iran's "growing unconventional warfare capabilities." Iraq
Sinai security stymied by continued terrorist attacks Security forces in Egypt seem to be ineffective in defending the peninsula against terrorist attacks, and may be investing too little in their military defense. Egypt
Bar-Lev: Israel needs diplomatic creativity Ahead of Israel's Memorial Day, Knesset member Omer Bar-Lev explains in an interview with Al-Monitor that the 1973 Yom Kippur War instilled in him the understanding that only a diplomatic solution can bring Israel security and peace. Israel
IS courts Ninevah tribes in run-up to battle The Islamic State is seeking allies among Iraq's tribes for the battle of Mosul and an opportunity to entrench itself in Iraqi tribal society. Iraq
First delivery of French weapons arrives in Lebanon Nearly 16 months since the announcement of $3 billion in Saudi military aid to Lebanon, the first weapons shipment from France has already disappointed. Saudi Arabia
Saudi elites divided on Yemen war A brief survey of Saudi opinion reveals that many elites consider Operation Decisive Storm a legitimate attempt to halt Iranian expansionism, while some view the intervention in Yemen as a sectarian war. Saudi Arabia
Jordan's Salafists switch allegiance to IS As militant alliances continue to shift, Jordan's strategic stance on Salafist groups has become ever more complex. Iraq
Libya looks to Russia for arms Disillusioned with the West, the Libya government is exploring opportunities in Russia and says it is willing to accept limited participation by Islamists that agree to play by the rules. Legacy: Gulf
Palestine’s empty breadbasket The Jordan Valley, once considered Palestine’s most fertile area, has been taken over by Israeli settlers who have barred Palestinians from using the land. Palestine
Restitution of Armenian property remains unresolved Some Turkish scholars have documented that the expropriation of Armenian property was a systematic and integral part of the genocide that began in 1915. Turkey
MIT gun truck bust lands Turkish gendarmes in prison Turkish gendarmes arrested and prosecuted for stopping and searching trucks — which were chartered by Turkish intelligence — feel they are unfairly prosecuted for obeying orders. Turkey
