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
Baghdad holds international anti-terrorism conference According to the conference organizers, Saudi Arabia and Qatar were invited, but didn’t attend, despite Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's accusing of them of supporting terrorism. Saudi Arabia
Anbar witnesses political divide amid ongoing clashes Military operations in Iraq’s Anbar province continue, but local politicians are divided among themselves while preparing for upcoming parliamentary elections. Iraq
Hamas a spectator in latest Gaza-Israel clash Hamas allowed Islamic Jihad to fire rockets at Israel in the vain hope Egypt would communicate directly with Gaza's rulers to restore the cease-fire. Palestine
PIJ rockets remind Israelis of failure of Gaza withdrawal Though Israel possesses the best military means in the region, when attacked by rockets, its hands are tied, unable to retaliate forcefully, and the Israeli population is growing more and more skeptical about the worth of an agreement. Palestine
Iran weighs 'active neutrality' in Ukraine Iran’s strategic priorities remain a comprehensive nuclear agreement and a political solution in Syria. Syria
Gaza residents fear new war Civilians queue at bakeries and stock up on food in fear of a new war with Israel. Palestine
Pro-regime Sunni fighters in Aleppo defy sectarian narrative Pro-regime militias such as the Al-Quds and Baath Brigades are at the forefront of the battle against rebels in Aleppo, and they're mostly Sunni. Syria
Yemen faces increasing weapons, drugs smuggling problem The trafficking of weapons, drugs and human beings has become a major problem for Yemen. Yemen
Iraqi army must combat sectarianism During the ongoing clashes in Anbar, a number of soldiers have engaged in actions that promote ethnic and sectarian tensions, highlighting the need for the government to enact laws to combat such practices. Iraq
Hamas trapped between Israel, Islamic Jihad While committed to keeping a quiet border with Israel, Hamas leaders fear the alliance between Iran and Islamic Jihad, and prefer Israel’s wrath to Iran’s anger. Palestine
Is ISIS planning for new Fallujahs? In recent weeks, the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) has changed its tactics in Iraq, focusing on expanding its scope of influence. Iraq
ISIS suicide attacks target Syrian Kurdish capital The Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) is increasing its terror campaign against Kurds in northern Syria. Syria
