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
How foreign journalists become 'spies' in Turkey Journalism in Turkey is increasingly becoming a nightmare for foreign reporters, too, while the president personally leads psychological lynching campaigns. Turkey
Iran’s shallow influence in Yemen Iran believes its influence is spreading to a new country with the rise of the Houthis in Yemen in September 2014; however, Yemen is different from other Iranian-influenced countries (Syria, Lebanon and Iraq), where sectarian compositions differ. Saudi Arabia
Dempsey says Iran’s role in Iraq might be 'positive' Americans consider Islamic State, not Iran, as top threat to US in Mideast; terrorists in Syria planning “mass casualty attacks” in West; Salafists in Gaza look to Islamic State. Palestine
Mixed Turkish reactions to Paris massacre The government’s attempt to be politically correct in its condemnation of the attack on Charlie Hebdo is not reflected by all elements of the ruling party and the Islamist media. Turkey
Negotiations to free Lebanese soldiers remain at impasse The hostage takers have demanded the demilitarization of areas on the Lebanese-Syrian border and the release of prisoners, both of which have been met with significant opposition by the Lebanese political establishment. Lebanon
Divisions in Iran stall nuclear deal, says ex-US negotiator Secretary of State John Kerry will meet Iran Foreign Minister Zarif in Geneva Jan. 14, ahead of a new round of nuclear talks. Iran
Iran's new group in Iraq: Saraya al-Khorasani Saraya al-Khorasani appears to have more direct contact and cooperation with Iran than other groups and militias it has ties with. Iraq
Lapid: Abbas can't compromise without Arab support In an interview with Al-Monitor, former Finance Minister Yair Lapid argues that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas needs Arab support to compromise on the Palestinian right of return and on Jerusalem. Palestine
Turkey faces demining delays Having stalled for a decade, Turkey risks further delays in meeting its international obligations to clear vast minefields, most of them along the Syrian border. Syria
Post-Paris: perilous future for Turkey, Muslims A grave future is waiting for Turkey and Muslims after the Charlie Hebdo shootings on Jan. 7 in France. Turkey
Turkish cartoonists threatened after Charlie Hebdo attacks Turkish satirical journalists and cartoonists have been warned via phone and over social media to "learn" from the attack on Charlie Hebdo and be careful who they antagonize. Turkey
Egypt’s buffer zone expansion hurts Hamas’ arms supplies Egypt’s decision to expand its buffer zone along its border with the Gaza Strip is a sign that relations with Hamas are no closer to improving. Palestine
