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
Syrians on both sides oppose US strikes Local rebels and pro-regime supporters are both critical of the US-led strikes on the Islamic State for various reasons. Syria
Abbas' speech warning siren for Israel The UN General Assembly speech by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas reflects first and foremost the Palestinians' despair of any hope for peace with the current Israeli leadership. Palestine
US leverages Iran-Iraq-Syria axis against Islamic State New alignment offers the potential for breakthrough in the battle against extremist groups; the Arab world has a pulse, not an illness. Iraq
Hezbollah squeezed out of Golan by Jabhat al-Nusra, Israel The infiltration of Syrian militants into Lebanon threatens Hezbollah’s presence in the strategic Golan Heights. Israel
Desperate Gazans frustrated by Hamas-Fatah squabbles The disputes between Hamas and Fatah over the reconstruction process in Gaza have infuriated Gazans who desperately need assistance. Palestine
Fighting robs Iraqi farmers of harvest The Islamic State attacks and defensive military operations have affected the agricultural sector in Iraq's Salahuddin province, where wheat production had been expected to reach 4.5 million tons this year. Iraq
Moscow backs fight against IS … to an extent Russia is expressing cautious solidarity with the United States in fighting the Islamic State, while continuing its unequivocal support of the Syrian government. Iraq
Exclusive: PKK commander threatens to resume war In an exclusive interview, the Kurdistan Workers Party's (PKK) top military commander, Cemil Bayik, says that Turkey has sabotaged the peace process and the PKK is ready to resume open conflict. Turkey
Security ministries on hold in Iraq Iraq's parliament has failed to vote on the candidates proposed by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi for the posts of interior and defense ministers, letting the country slip down a dangerous path. Iraq
Turks dislike Islamic State, but would leave fight to others A recent survey by Metropoll, a prominent Turkish polling company, indicates that only 1.3% of Turks are sympathetic toward the Islamic State. Syria
Islamic Jihad’s popularity grows after Gaza war The public approval ratings of Islamic Jihad received a boost after the Gaza war, benefiting from the group's determination to stay out of the Hamas-Fatah feud. Palestine
Egyptian visit to Ethiopian dam raises hopes for resolution Egypt and Ethiopia are showing a willingness to resolve the dispute over the Renaissance Dam, but some fundamental concerns still remain. Egypt
