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
AKP pursues scorched-earth tactics against Gulenists Turkish prosecutors have dropped a corruption probe against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s son and businessmen close to the government, marking the latest move in the government’s all-out war against the Gulen community. Turkey
Under pressure, Sinai jihadists threaten more beheadings Though Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis has been weakened by Egyptian security forces, the group continues to threaten the stability of the Sinai Peninsula. Egypt
Europe blind to Islamic State's true threat With the Islamic State drawing recruits from across Europe, the continent must act against the movement in Syria and Iraq before it's too late. Near East
Regime tries to root out rebels surrounding Syrian capital Syrian government forces began an offensive last week on the major rebel stronghold of Jobar, the closest rebel-held area to Damascus. Syria
Syria, West explore cooperation to fight Islamic State Western intelligence officials have reportedly reached out to the Syrian government on potential cooperation over the Islamic State threat, but so far little progress has been made. Syria
Iraqi intellectuals start campaigns to end bloodshed Iraqi educational and cultural leaders are drawing wide support from Iraqis of all sects. Iraq
What's different in Damascus? Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has made changes in the economic and services ministries of the new government in a bid to overcome economic challenges and gather support by addressing charges of corruption. Lebanon
Unity government at crossroads as Fatah and Hamas bicker It didn’t take long after the war for Fatah and Hamas to air disagreements publicly over the reconstruction and management of Gaza. Palestine
Despite limitations, Iranian Kurds support Iraqi Kurds Iranian Kurds have been moved by images of Iraqi Kurds fleeing the Islamic State and have attempted to contribute and help. Iraq
Israeli Golan residents tell government to 'wake up' In an interview with Al-Monitor, Eli Malka, head of the Golan Regional Council, expressed concern that with violence in Syria spilling over into the Golan, inaction by the Israeli government might lead to residents there living under conditions similar to those of communities along the border with Gaza. Palestine
Haunted by war, Gaza residents try to rebuild Residents in the Gaza border town of Khuza’a recall traumatic arrests and killings by the Israeli army as they begin to rebuild their lives and homes. Palestine
Tangled web of alliances emerges as Middle East divides into blocs The Middle East is divided into three blocs, but all have a common enemy in the Islamic State. Regional
