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
Rouhani adviser summoned over Iraq comments Despite clarification by Pesident Hassan Rouhani's adviser, conservative critics of Ali Younesi are asking him to step down. Iran
Libyan minister: Solution to crisis lies in supporting army In an interview with Al-Monitor, Libyan Minister of Information and Culture Omar al-Qweri stressed that the solution in Libya is not political, but rather military, and can only be achieved by lifting the ban on arming the Libyan army. Egypt
No sign of Turkey-Syria border reopening On March 9, Turkish authorities closed the Bab al-Salam and Bab al-Hawa border crossings with Syria, a move some say may be linked to security measures ahead of Turkey’s parliamentary elections in June. Syria
Iraqi Christians find safe haven in Jordan’s churches Many Iraqi Christian refugees have given up on the Middle East and refuse to ever go back to Iraq, even if the Islamic State is completely annihilated. Iraq
'Roller coaster' Iran talks show progress US officials expect talks may have to resume next week to conclude a political accord on an Iran nuclear deal by the end of the month. Iran
US, E3 lawmakers pen joint warning on Iran Lawmakers from the United States, France, United Kingdom and Germany warn that bad deal will result in more sanctions "without fail." Iran
Does Iran have a card to play in Bahrain? While protests in Bahrain have remained largely peaceful, does Iran have any influence among the various Bahrain opposition groups? Saudi Arabia
Ankara sidelined on Syria Ankara has hardly any influence left over events in Syria and its goal of deposing President Bashar al-Assad is no closer now than four years ago, while the persisting conflict poses ever-increasing headaches for Turkey. Syria
Iraqis split over digging of security trenches While some Iraqis argue that digging trenches between cities is an effective way to stop the infiltration of militants and achieve security, others claim they only further divide the nation and promote sectarianism. Iraq
Is there hope for long-term truce between Hamas, Israel? There is talk about implementing the initiative proposed by UN special coordinator Robert Serry to impose a long-term truce between Hamas and Israel, in return of ending the Israeli siege imposed on the Gaza Strip since 2007. Palestine
Iran gathers power in Iraq as US further sidelined Iran has succeeded in expanding its influence in Iraq by supporting the Shiite paramilitary forces there, a move that the United States has avoided since 2003. Iraq
What next for Iraq? The Islamic State may be routed in Iraq, but the question of what is next remains unanswered. Iraq
