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
Can P5+1 formula work for Israel, Palestinians? While Palestinian officials partially welcome the idea of a P5+1 framework for multilateral negotiations, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's associates count on the Americans to nip this idea in the bud. Palestine
Turkey slides into deeper isolation over Syria Turkey’s Western allies are increasingly frustrated with its attempts to direct the US-led military coalition’s focus from the Islamic State to the Syrian regime, while Russia and Iran are openly opposing Turkey’s attempts to establish a buffer zone. Syria
Iraq should use IS war to rebuild foreign relations The war against the Islamic State provides Iraq with an opportunity to rebuild fractured relations with neighboring countries and others. Iraq
Looking behind the Russia-Iran relationship Despite the common perception of Russia as Iran's main backer outside the region, the two big regional players’ relations are shaped by long-term interests that can clash with immediate concerns and may complicate the battle against the Islamic State. Russia
Is Abbas one vote from Security Council majority? Faced with a diplomatic stalemate unprecedented since the Oslo Accord, the Palestinians have given up on negotiating with Israel, opting instead to go to the UN Security Council, where they appear on the verge of securing a majority. Palestine
Sinai militants rise again The jihadist group Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis is adapting to its war with the Egyptian army and is regaining strength in the Sinai Peninsula. Egypt
Nusra attacks on Lebanon attempt to 'change rules of game' Attacks by Jabhat al-Nusra on Hezbollah-controlled positions inside Lebanon represent a troubling development for the Lebanese and possibly the regime in Damascus as well. Lebanon
How Turkey repeated US mistakes in Afghanistan Turkey’s Syrian adventure, and its unintended midwifery to the Islamic State, hold major lessons for Turkish foreign policy. Turkey
How US airstrikes are affecting Moscow's Syria policy A central goal of Russia's Syria policy is to relegitimize the Syrian regime in the eyes of the United States and its allies in the region, and oblige them to recognize it as an ally in the fight against extremism. Syria
Kobani is becoming Turkey's war Turks are fighting on both sides of the Islamic State-YPG battle for Kobani, but increasing numbers of Kurdish fighters, including women, are coming from Turkey to join the battle. Syria
Iran op-ed asks Soleimani to defend Kobani A conservative Iranian news site has published an op-ed asking Quds Force leader Qasem Soleimani to defend the Kurds of Kobani as Iranians in various cities protest to show support. Syria
Former US diplomat fosters US-Iran ties behind the scenes William Luers has spent years pursuing a quiet “track 2” dialogue bringing American and Iranian officials and scholars together, some of whom have close ties to officials in the Rouhani administration. Iran
