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
Relief aid in Gaza failing to reach the most desperate Palestinians in Gaza are complaining about the chaotic distribution of relief aid entering the Gaza Strip, destined for those most severely afflicted by the recent war with Israel. Palestine
Could Arqoub be the next Arsal? The large number of displaced Syrians in the Arqoub area has raised concerns about the potential for instability in southern Lebanon instigated by jihadists living among the refugees. Israel
Time for Livni to leave Netanyahu's government Justice Minister Tzipi Livni has been calling from every imaginable forum for a reboot of the negotiations, but given the Netanyahu government’s diplomatic stalemate, it is time for her to resign. Israel
Turkey faces dilemma in fight against Islamic State Turkey is not keen to have the Kurds, Shiites and the Damascus regime be bolstered in the fight against the Islamic State. Iraq
IS beheading of Shiite soldier threatens Lebanon's stability The latest killing by the Islamic State raises worries that Shiite families and clans might retaliate against the Syrian refugee camps in the Bekaa, where many IS supporters are suspected to be present. Lebanon
Islamic State becoming ‘dominant voice’ among global jihadists The United States intensifies military planning against the Islamic State; Syria’s new Cabinet; Israel faces "highly complex reality" in Syria; IS-linked group threatens more terror, beheadings in the Sinai Peninsula; what Egypt lost in the Al Jazeera trial. Egypt
Hezbollah prepares to fight IS in Lebanon The Islamic State and other extremists groups are proliferating along Lebanon's border with Syria. Lebanon
Iranian-Saudi agreement on Iraq may be near While key issues remain, Iran and Saudi Arabia are reportedly close to agreeing on the formation of an Iraqi government, clearing the way to focus on another regional crisis. Saudi Arabia
Is the Islamic State holding Turkey hostage? Prolonged hostage negotiations with the Islamic State are creating serious headaches for the Turkish leadership. Iraq
Egypt seeks help in disarming Libyan militias While denying accusations that it helped conduct air strikes in Libya, Cairo is seeking international support for an initiative to stabilize the country and disarm the militias. Egypt
Pushed aside by war, Israel's social justice agenda returns Despite Operation Protective Edge, large swaths of Israeli society still consider their socioeconomic situation as priority No. 1 and the politicians are listening. Israel
Iraqi Shiite forces reinvigorated after Amerli victory After successfully breaking the Islamic State’s siege on the Shiite Turkmen town of Amerli, Iraqi forces are looking to make further advances. Iraq
