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
Netanyahu's renewed legitimacy The international legitimacy enjoyed now by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will last for a short while only, unless he renews the diplomatic negotiations with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Palestine
Operation Protective Edge continues cycle of violence The high price paid by Gaza residents over the IDF operation will not erode their support of Hamas and only a diplomatic solution will dissuade them from pinning their hopes on violent resistance. Palestine
Gloves come off between Syrian regime, Islamic State A deadly assault by the Islamic State on a regime-held gas field in Homs province marks a new chapter in Syria's civil war as government forces and Islamic State face off. Iraq
Fall of Amran sends shock waves across Yemen The causes of the Yemeni government’s failure to hold the city of Amran against Houthi militias are deeply rooted in history. Yemen
Gaza tunnels take IDF by surprise For years, Hamas has constructed an ''underground Gaza'' designed to fire rockets at Israel, send infiltrators and protect Hamas' leadership, while investing nothing in the welfare of "upper Gaza." Palestine
Egypt scrambles to stop missiles launched at Israel from Sinai Reports of rockets fired at Israel by militants in the Sinai Peninsula are an embarrassment for the Egyptian government as they struggle to contain insurgent groups in the region. Palestine
Iraqi crisis highlights need for dialogue In light of the escalating security situation in Iraq, political figures need to do more than broadcast their message through the media and official channels. Iraq
Turkey’s Syrian refugee problem spirals out of control Syrian refugees in Turkey are regularly subject to hostilities by locals, a trend Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan implies the opposition is responsible for. Syria
Iran boosts Hamas rocket capacity Congress is skeptical of extending of Iran talks; Iran has a hand in Gaza; acrimony between Egypt and Hamas is hindering a cease-fire agreement; and the Islamic State using the Turkish Consulate in Mosul as its headquarters. Palestine
Knesset debates whether Gaza disengagement helped Hamas During the Knesset debate marking the ninth anniversary of Israel's disengagement from Gaza, conservative politicians claimed that the current Hamas attacks would not have taken place had Ariel Sharon not pulled out of the Gaza Strip. Palestine
Gaza on alert for Israeli spies Two suspected spies for Israel have been murdered in Gaza since the outbreak of war as locals are on the lookout for suspicious behavior. Palestine
Israeli Cabinet members blame US for failed cease-fire Backed by Qatar and Turkey and facing American hesitance, Hamas refused the Egyptian-brokered cease-fire, forcing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to begin a ground operation in Gaza to destroy the tunnel networks. Palestine
