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
US, EU battle Netanyahu for public's trust on Iran Israeli leader sees Congress as crucial backstop against "bad deal." Israel
IRGC: Naval exercise also 'media-psychological' operation The head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps public relations has said that Iran's publicized naval exercises were meant to prepare for threats from countries beyond the region and praised the media coverage of them. Iran
Hamas denies abuse, detainment of Fatah leaders Several Fatah leaders told Al-Monitor that the Hamas-affiliated security apparatuses in Gaza arrested them and violated their basic human rights, which Hamas rushed to deny. Palestine
Egypt’s terrorism law whittles down opposition Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi issued a new decision regarding Egypt’s anti-terrorism law, running the risk of labeling most opposition groups and human rights organizations as terrorist entities. Egypt
What is Obama's secret weapon against Bibi? It’s hard to understand why President Barack Obama doesn’t translate the criticism of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s congressional speech into action, such as hinting at a change in his position on the Israeli nuclear program. Israel
Iraqi archaeological sites remain at risk Following a recently released video of Islamic State militants destroying important artifacts at the Ninevah Museum in Mosul, there are fears that the city’s archaeological sites are at risk of destruction. Iraq
Here comes Bibi! Congress turns its attention away from other business this week as it prepares for the addres of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Iraq
Turkey has 'other priorities' than battling Islamic State US Director of National Intelligence James Clapper does not expect Turkey to become "more engaged" in the anti-Islamic State coalition; are al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, or Assad and Hezbollah, a greater threat to Israel?; Israeli prime minister expects to "cash in" on Iran nuclear deal on March 17; Al-Monitor launches a series focused on women in the Middle East. Israel
New Iran bill doesn’t mandate up-or-down vote on nuclear deal Legislation from the Senate Foreign Relations chairman would authorize — but not require — Congress to weigh in before sanctions can be lifted. Iran
PA clamps down on security amid unrest in West Bank Recent clashes in the West Bank between security officials and protesters have triggered Palestinian fears that stability will be difficult to restore. Palestine
Iran's cooperation with IAEA at risk if nuclear talks fail A breakdown in nuclear talks between Iran and the P5+1 would likely mean far fewer inspections in Iran. Iran
Turkish military wages war on social media Turkey's military is still struggling to come to terms with the rules of Twitter, Facebook and other social media sites. Turkey
