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
Mohammed al-Deif lives Commander of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades Mohammed al-Deif is responsible for some of the most murderous terror attacks against Israelis, yet during the Gaza war the IDF failed again to eliminate him. Palestine
Yazidi girls tell of escape from IS Yazidi girls recount their harsh ordeal and the scars remaining from being captured by Islamic State militants. Iraq
Sinai residents prepare for the worst Amid a deteriorating security situation the people of Sinai are raising their voices against the oppressive campaigns practiced by the Egyptian army and police that breed extremism and violence. Egypt
Is the new National Guard the key to unifying Iraq? Proponents of an Iraqi National Guard envision it serving as a counterterrorism force, bringing militias under state control and helping rid the country of the Islamic State. Near East
Aleppo residents tested by snowstorm, war The snowstorm that blanketed the Middle East added to the misery of Aleppo’s residents and refugees, as children died from a lack of power, water and heating. Syria
Islamic Jihad takes mediator role between Hamas, Fatah Islamic Jihad is considering joining a Hamas-led administrative committee in Gaza, as it breaks its silence in a bid to resolve the Hamas-Fatah feud that's crippling the Gaza Strip. Palestine
Why Erdogan’s media sees British conspiracy in Somalia The delusional, conspiratorial narrative in Turkey’s pro-AKP media raises questions about the capacity of the ruling elites of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's "New Turkey" to understand the world as it really is. Turkey
After Qaboos, who will be Oman's next sultan? Now that Saudi Arabia has seen its succession through, attention has moved to who will succeed Oman's Sultan Qaboos, who has been in Munich since the summer for unspecified health reasons. Saudi Arabia
Why did Iran, Morocco resume relations? Economics, Iran's desire for greater international standing, the Islamic State and Western Sahara may be factors in Iran naming an ambassador to Morocco after a nearly six-year break in ties. Legacy: Gulf
Could Israel’s strike on Hezbollah in Syria spark Iran nuclear talks? The latest Israel-Hezbollah confrontation might be a catalyst for a nuclear deal between the P5+1 and Iran; Iran can ease Saudi Arabia’s security predicament; Netanyahu sees electoral gain in snubbing Obama. Saudi Arabia
Finally, Senate action on Iran sanctions? A look at the Middle East issues Congress will be addressing the week of Jan. 26 Iran
Islamic State lists conditions to free Lebanese soldiers An anonymous Lebanese government source informed Al-Monitor that negotiations between Islamic State and Jabhat al-Nusra militants and the Lebanese government are reaping results, though with conditions. Lebanon
