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
Syria-bound trucks put spotlight on Turkey Turkish opposition politicians and many in the public are questioning why trucks associated with Turkish intelligence may have been carrying arms to radical groups in Syria. Syria
Gaza expresses solidarity with Syria’s Yarmouk camp Palestinians in Gaza have organized rallies and donation campaigns for the Palestinians in Syria's Yarmouk refugee camp, which has suffered a months-long siege. Palestine
Turkish intelligence service trucks reveal secrets Did trucks linked to Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization facilitate the smuggling of weapons to rebel forces in Syria? Syria
Will Geneva II go the way of Vietnam peace talks? The Geneva negotiations have yet to resolve many differences in form or substance between the government and opposition delegations. Syria
Egypt’s Brotherhood appeals to International Criminal Court Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood has filed a complaint with the ICC to investigate alleged abuses committed by the current authorities since June 30 in an attempt to internationalize their cause amid decreasing domestic support. Egypt
Bibi’s final status map leaves little room for Palestine The Israeli-Palestinian peace talks eventually come down to the map. Palestine
Russia, Iran set stage for Geneva II; Turkey’s slow turnaround on Syria Russian and Iranian diplomacy have helped shape the Geneva II agenda to include a cease-fire, humanitarian relief and counterterrorism in Syria. Syria
Sistani silent so far on Anbar violence Iraqi Shiite cleric Ali al-Sistani has remained silent regarding developments in Anbar, in line with his vision of a clear division between religious authorities and the state. Iraq
Zarif trip to Lebanon includes signal to Saudi Arabia Iran and Hezbollah's abrupt change toward the formation of a Lebanese government might be part of a regional settlement. Saudi Arabia
Syrian Kurds aim to benefit from Islamist infighting Syrian Kurdish forces navigate the fighting between the Free Syrian Army and the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham to gain ground in northern Syria. Syria
Has al-Qaeda found Zarqawi's successor? The emergence of Shaker Wahib, a young, charismatic field commander in the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), may be tied to the organization’s deeper goals. Iraq
Egyptians fear return of surveillance state The release of recordings of telephone conversations among Egyptian activists has sparked a new debate over media freedom and privacy. Egypt
