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
Some see snubs, Erdogan sees envy While Erdogan remains unconcerned, diplomats say Turkey's isolation is hurting the country. Turkey
Could Libya's IS suck Egypt into endless war? The massacre committed by the Islamic State against Egyptian Copts has raised talk about a new military intervention in Libya, while Egypt is calling for military action against the terrorists. Egypt
Fear of Shiites on the rise in Turkey The Justice and Development Party government is indifferent to the increase in Shiite-phobia in Turkey. Turkey
Four years on, civilian deaths continue in Syria Civilians in Syria are paying the cost of the four-year conflict, often losing their lives, be it at the hands of the regime, opposition forces or jihadists. Syria
Lebanon holds IS at bay, for now The failure of the Islamic State’s plan to control territory and create an emirate in Lebanon bodes well, says a Lebanese security official who claims that Lebanon has clamped down on the major three terrorist hotbeds in the country. Lebanon
Concern in Iraq grows over unregulated Shiite forces The popular mobilization forces in Iraq have made positive contributions to the fight against the Islamic State, but allegations of killings require that they be brought under the government's security umbrella. Iraq
War separates lovers in Aleppo The conflict in Aleppo has divided the city, making it nearly impossible for people in one half to visit people in the other after the closure of the Bustan al-Qasr crossing. Syria
What's next for Hakan Fidan? Turkey's recently resigned intelligence czar Hakan Fidan is widely expected to found a new National Security Ministry and redesign the country’s entire security apparatus. Turkey
UN, Russia take lead in Syria diplomacy Russia-Egypt ties enter "new phase"; UN and Russian initiatives offer only hope so far for Syria political settlement; Erdogan promotes the "Internal Security Law." Egypt
US optimism on Iran nuclear deal rises The US administration believes that prospects for reaching an Iran nuclear deal have increased in recent days. Iran
Anbar officials reject Shiite popular mobilization forces Officials in Iraq's Anbar province are concerned about the increase in revenge operations carried out by popular mobilization forces. Iraq
Hezbollah, Future Movement find 'delicate stability' for now The dialogue between Hezbollah and the Future Movement continues despite the limited results it has yielded so far. Israel
