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
Russia stakes out Iranian market Both Russia and Iran see a shared interest in deepening economic ties, parallel to the P5+1 talks. Russia
Syrian government ponders post-election scenarios As the June 3 presidential elections approach in Syria, the government considers how domestic and internal actors will react to the expected re-election of President Bashar Al-Assad. Syria
Former ICC prosecutor says Palestinians can join court In an interview with Al-Monitor, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, former chief prosecutor for the International Criminal Court, says that Palestinian membership in the court is possible, but could also open up Palestinian authorities to prosecution. Palestine
Rouhani says 'We will not accept scientific or nuclear apartheid' Before the nuclear negotiations resume this week, Iran's supreme leader, speaker of parliament and president all gave speeches about Iran's priorities in the negotiations. Iran
Israel rejects accusations of spying on US Committed never to spy on American soil, some Israeli officials consider the espionage accusations as politically motivated to damage Israel-US relations. Israel
What can we learn from Homs? Given the collapse of the Geneva process, and the Syrian government’s staying power, localized cease-fires may be the latest trend in the conflict. Iraq
Israel makes its case on Iranian enrichment Israel is making its case to US officials to allow Iran only the most minimal nuclear enrichment in the context of negotiations of a comprehensive nuclear agreement. Israel
Former Israeli minister warns of violence by 'godless' settlers In an interview with Al-Monitor, Labor Knesset member Binyamin Ben-Eliezer calls for labeling some violent settler groups as terrorists. Palestine
Ankara at crossroads on Syria policy Developments in Syria have confounded the Turkish government’s efforts to depose President Bashar al-Assad and forced a rethink of its policies. Syria
Egyptian satellite will monitor water security, Renaissance Dam Egypt launched the EgyptSat 2 satellite on April 14 to help with borders, resources and the Renaissance Dam. Egypt
Saudis fear Syria blowback after discovering ISIS cell Fears of jihadist blowback from the Syrian war are starting to be realized after Saudi's discovery of a terrorist cell planning attacks on its soil. Saudi Arabia
Aleppo's rebel fighters disillusioned with war Rebel fighters in Aleppo look to Homs as a potential model for a cease-fire to end the war in the city. Syria
