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
Gulenists use hate speech against Shiites, Iranians Turkey’s Gulenists, hostile to Iran and to Shiites, incite Sunnis to enmity and hatred against Shiites. Turkey
Egypt ban surprises Hamas Egypt's decision this week to ban Hamas activities has caught the Palestinian Islamist movement off guard, with concerns it's heading on a collision course with Cairo. Palestine
Iran’s four-part plan for a political solution in Syria The best approach to a political solution in Syria lies in addressing both the threat of international terrorism and the urgent humanitarian crisis, as well as a national and international process leading to a direct vote by the Syrian people, according to Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein-Amir Abdollahian. Syria
Israeli officials believe Obama lacks resolve on Iran Israeli officials consider the Obama administration now as the weakest the United States has known in decades, and as the one that history will remember as having paved the way to a nuclear Iran. Israel
Iraq looks East in foreign policy As disputes between Iraq and the West seem to be on the rise, Baghdad is refocusing its efforts on the “East,” in particular Russia, China and Iran. Iraq
Dispute between Lebanese president, Hezbollah heats up As presidential elections approach in Lebanon, the dispute between President Michel Suleiman and Hezbollah over the latter’s intervention in Syria has intensified. Lebanon
Turkey boxed in by Russian moves in Crimea The Ukraine crisis will likely harden Russia’s support for Syria, further complicating Turkey’s regional policies. Syria
Netanyahu's world Jewry dilemma Statements by Israeli officials against the two-state solution confront members of world Jewry with their latest dilemma: supporting Israel even when it endangers their interests in their countries of residence. Palestine
Lebanese minibus hero helps thwart suicide bomber Hussein Msheik, a Lebanese minibus driver who survived a suicide attack on Feb. 3, speaks to Al-Monitor about the incident and his future plans. Lebanon
Cement shortage in Gaza leaves thousands jobless Israel's restrictions on cement imports into the Gaza Strip are having a devastating effect on the local economy. Palestine
Diplomacy, not sanctions, key to deal with Iran As the American Israel Public Affairs Committee holds its annual policy conference, it would do well to remember that the Obama administration's diplomacy, not sanctions, has yielded better results, according to a former senior Iranian diplomat. Israel
Syrian rebel force to receive Saudi arms has worked with al-Qaeda group The leader of the Saudi-backed rebel Southern Front, which Riyadh intends to arm with advanced weaponry, has openly collaborated with al-Qaeda during the course of the Syria war. Syria
