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
Aleppo fears new ISIS offensive Syrian regime forces and rebels holed up in Aleppo worry that ISIS' newfound power and advanced military hardware in Iraq will result in a renewed offensive on Aleppo. Iraq
Iraq's warring powers approach sectarian faultlines The battle between Iraqi forces and the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) could get even more brutal as the conflict occurs in Sunni-Shiite contact points. Iraq
Kidnapping of Israeli boys 'no joke' for Palestinians Israel is tightening its grip on the West Bank and intensifying mock air raids over the Gaza Strip, as Palestinians anticipate an Israeli response to the June 12 kidnappings. Palestine
Iraqi Turkmen take up arms in Kirkuk Iraqi Turkmen, wary of gains by both Iraqi Kurds and the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), have moved to create their own armed militia. Iraq
Iraq crisis hits Turkish economy Iraq is Turkey's second leading export market, but trade routes to Baghdad and farther south are currently blocked because of ISIS's capture of Iraqi territory. Iraq
Netanyahu, Abbas can avoid next abduction Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should engage Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on both diplomacy and security to better manage future crises. Palestine
Kidnappings put Netanyahu back on offense The abduction of teenagers in the Hebron region puts an end to Netanyahu’s political hard times, and, without a dominant defense minister such as Ehud Barak at his side, he is seen, even by the left, as a balanced authority on matters of security and leadership. Palestine
Turkey avoids claims of 'hostage' crisis in Iraq The Turkish government is trying to downplay the ISIS detention of diplomats in Mosul. Turkey
Netanyahu wrong to blame Abbas for kidnapping Israel should rethink its Palestinian prisoner detention policy. Palestine
Fatah leader on kidnappings: 'Everyone is in big trouble now' In an interview with Al-Monitor, senior Fatah official Fares Qadura warns of escalation, saying that everyone knows that Israel will not negotiate a prisoners exchange for the three kidnapped youths. Palestine
Sistani stresses need for unity over sectarianism in battle for Iraq Shiite cleric Ali al-Sistani stresses the need for Iraqis to support the army and avoid sectarianism in battling the current Sunni rebellion sweeping the country. Iraq
Hamas denies role in kidnapping The group's leaders, however, anticipate a severe confrontation with Israel. Palestine
