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
Erdogan under pressure as Syrian crisis spreads to Iraq Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has limited regional influence and few good options as the pressure builds to slow the spread of the Syria war. Syria
Syrian education a casualty of war Syria’s education sector has suffered a heavy blow from the fighting, as security concerns, internally displaced students and the emigration of professors abroad has led to a sharp drop in the level of education in the country. Syria
Russia's Syria policy linked to Chechnya, terrorism The United States and Russia cooperate to combat terrorism in Syria. Syria
Israel's new eastern front The value of Israel's alliance with Jordan is far greater than that of a battalion of Israeli soldiers in the Jordan Valley, the demand for which is threatening to derail Kerry’s initiative. Palestine
Saudi Arabia, France make their move in Lebanon Hezbollah reacts to Saudi Arabia providing $3 billion in aid to the Lebanese army to buy French weapons. Saudi Arabia
The Saudi challenge to US Syria policy Saudi Arabia proposes a military force to deter Iran and assist rebel forces to overthrow the Syrian government. Legacy: Gulf
Ankara suspected of arming jihadists in Syria Turkish security discovered a truck full of weapons en route to Syria, creating yet another controversy for the Erdogan government. Syria
Resolution of Anbar crisis requires security, political coordination Baghdad must combine security and political efforts to bring an end to the current crisis involving al-Qaeda and the Sunnis in Anbar province. Iraq
Was Thursday’s Beirut blast linked to Sidon attack? A security source said that Thursday’s explosion in Beirut may have been prepared in a hurry and may be linked to the attack on a Lebanese army checkpoint in Sidon on Dec. 15, 2013. Saudi Arabia
Despite rockets, Israel-Hamas confrontation unlikely Despite the potential for renewed violence between Israel and Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip, Hamas claims it is waiting to be better prepared for a larger future conflict. Palestine
Suicide bombers disguised as pilgrims infiltrate Iraq The suicide bombers who have been striking Iraqi pilgrims are motivated by jihadist ideology. Iraq
Al-Qaeda-affiliated emir arrested in Lebanon Majid bin Mohammad al-Majid, the emir of the Abdullah Azzam Brigades in the Levant, was arrested by the Lebanese army, and he is hospitalized. Lebanon
