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
Egypt’s cybersecurity council prompts privacy concerns Egypt has launched a new cybersecurity division to protect its ministries and institutions from cyberattacks, but some political groups and activists are concerned it might also be used to curtail speech and monitor their online activities. Egypt
Ya'alon: Abbas barely controls Jenin In an interview with Al-Monitor, Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon argued that the Gaza war last summer prevented a Hamas takeover of the West Bank: "Mahmoud Abbas does not control Gaza, he barely controls Jenin." Palestine
Kobani hospitals overflow as battle continues Makeshift hospitals are being set up in basements and schools across Kobani to treat fighters and civilians while armed groups have targeted the city’s main hospitals. Iraq
Has the Islamic State's defeat already begun? In the war against the Islamic State, the key issue is how to translate recent optimism on the strategic picture into tactical achievements on the ground. Iraq
Are there any prospects for Moscow-Libya cooperation? Russian officials are taking a wait-and-see attitude to developments in Libya. Libya
Jabhat al-Nusra tank commander sees little alternative to group While Aleppo is not entirely under the control of Jabhat al-Nusra, the group has a strong presence in many of the city's neighborhoods and is currently fighting to take hold of villages north of Aleppo province, where they are facing Lebanese Hezbollah troops that are fighting alongside the Syrian regime. Syria
Hamas, Fatah bicker over Gaza crossings The Palestinian government says that Hamas is delaying the handover of the Gaza crossings, while Hamas insists on a partnership to manage the transition. Palestine
Turkey cannot secure Syrian border alone Turkish officials say Turkey is doing its best to prevent crossings into and out of Syria by Islamic militants, blaming European countries for not furnishing useful intelligence. Syria
Kurdish peshmerga divisions hamper war effort The majority of Iraqi Kurdish peshmerga forces are divided between the two main rival political parties, hindering efforts in the fight against the Islamic State. Iraq
Will Paris attacks overshadow quest for Palestinian statehood? President Mahmoud Abbas' constant objection to violence earned him a first-row place among world leaders at the Paris march against terror, but won't guarantee that the Palestinian issue remains a top priority. Palestine
Israeli experts: If Europe won't wiretap, they won't know Former Israeli national security adviser Yaakov Amidror, former Mossad official Rami Igra and a former Israeli army intelligence head warn Europe that the only way to combat global jihad is collecting and coordinating intelligence information on its citizens. Israel
Israeli right campaigns on Paris terror attack When calling on Europe to stand by Israel and when calling French Jews to immigrate to Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is harnessing the Paris terror attacks for his electoral needs. Countries
