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
Israeli settlers attack IDF, Palestinians The Palestinians living in the villages near the Yitzhar settlement were not surprised this week at the violence perpetrated by the settlers on IDF soldiers: “If this is what they do to the soldiers, think what they do to us.” Palestine
Report on Renaissance Dam notes concerns for Egypt, Sudan A leaked international expert report on the Renaissance Dam says that Egypt and Sudan have not been given sufficient reassurances about the dam’s impact. Egypt
Will ElBaradei run for president of Egypt? Supporters of former interim Vice President Mohamed ElBaradei have begun a campaign to gather enough signatures to authorize him to run for president, but some consider his chances to be very low. Egypt
Gulf states should form regional bloc with Iran Arab Gulf states can no longer ignore Iran’s vital role in bringing stability to the Gulf region, and should work on establishing a security and economic arrangement with Tehran. Legacy: Gulf
European jihadists form ISIS brigades in Syria Enough European jihadists are fighting for the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) that the radical group has created French- and German-speaking brigades. Syria
Liberman keeps eye on bid for Israeli premiership By torpedoing negotiations on one hand, while setting conditions for their resumption on the other, Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman's tactics enable him to gain points with the left and the right of the political spectrum, pursuing his route toward the premier's seat. Palestine
Will UK list Muslim Brotherhood as terror group? Britain’s announced inquiry into the Muslim Brotherhood’s activities might be an attempt to appease its Gulf allies without offering any tangible changes. Saudi Arabia
Sisi’s candidacy appears to ease Egypt-Hamas tensions Field Marshal Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s candidacy in Egypt’s upcoming presidential elections has eased tensions between Cairo and Hamas, but this might be a tactical move by Sisi. Palestine
Israel-Russia ties strong despite Ukraine Both Israel and Russia value their growing strategic relationship. Israel
Egypt's media blackout on Sinai The Egyptian government's crackdown on militants in Sinai has been subject to security restrictions on media coverage. Egypt
Erdogan’s victory a warning to West Despite his party’s win in the municipal elections, the Turkish prime minister’s policies, including toward Syria, are likely to lead to further political polarization and distance from the United States and Europe. Syria
Can Sisi end terrorism in Egypt? A political solution is essential but perhaps not sufficient to end terrorism in Egypt any time soon. Egypt
