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
Israel still looking for a victory in Gaza Hamas has turned the tables on Israel by approaching the latest conflict as a war for its very existence. Palestine
Kerry’s draft cease-fire a rookie mistake US Secretary of State John Kerry got himself stuck in the Middle Eastern quagmire when he failed to understand that a cease-fire must be accompanied by a comprehensive agreement between Israel and the Palestinians, or else fighting will resume. Palestine
Against the grain: Israeli group calls for dialogue with Gaza Members of the Other Voice organization fear the daily rockets from Gaza being fired over their homes, but also worry for the safety of their friends in Gaza, so they have called upon the Israeli leadership to find a long-lasting diplomatic solution. Palestine
Iraq's Fallujah General Hospital caught in crossfire The hospital in Fallujah has been targeted on numerous occasions during the fighting there, says a local doctor as Human Rights Watch releases a report on the matter. Iraq
Will 'lawfare' define Palestinian-Israeli conflict? In the current Gaza conflict, Israel has the military advantage over Hamas in warfare, but the Palestinians might have an edge in "lawfare." Palestine
Israeli officials: United States chose Qatar over us The Israeli leadership estimates that the cease-fire initiative of US Secretary of State John Kerry responds well to the interests of Qatar, Turkey, Hamas and its own interests with Qatar — but hardly addresses Israel's security needs. Qatar
Turkey, Qatar seek foothold in Gaza talks Turkey and Qatar, having alienated regional powers with their support of Hamas, are finding it hard to gain influence in Gaza cease-fire negotiations. Qatar
Why Islamic State has no sympathy for Hamas The Islamic State does not regard fighting Israel as legitimate and calls instead for first "purifying" the Islamic world, including challenging Hamas. Palestine
Muslim Brotherhood's media machinations Although the Muslim Brotherhood complains of media bias favoring Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, their own media apparatus under President Mohammed Morsi was no better. Egypt
To destroy Hamas, Israel should support opposition in Gaza Some in Gaza would like to initiate a popular revolt, as happened in neighboring Egypt, but they can't make it happen without outside support. Palestine
Islamic State works to win hearts, minds with bread The Islamic State is investing heavily in social services in a bid to legitimize and consolidate its rule. Syria
