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
Egypt's Coptic churches on alert during Christmas holidays Egyptian security is taking several measures to protect Coptic churches during the holiday season, especially since it coincides with former President Mohammed Morsi's trial on Jan. 8. Egypt
Nasrallah warns of consequences of Sidon violence In a speech on Dec. 20, Hassan Nasrallah warned of the grave implications an increasingly volatile Sidon could have for the whole of Lebanon. Lebanon
Turkey flirts with Asian arms suppliers Turkey looks east for alternatives to NATO arms markets. Turkey
Netanyahu: Israel's master politician Opponents of the prime minister admit that contrary to his image of being inclined to panic, he has survived serious coalition conflicts and has a chance to achieve something with his leadership. Palestine
Israeli Bedouin relocation plan put on hold The representative of the unrecognized Bedouin localities is not encouraged by the shelving of the governmental relocation plan: "In the end, the Bedouin will be forced to accept a solution that they do not want." Israel
Despite risks, women continue to protest in Egypt Although female demonstrators in Egypt are subjected to a number of risks, they have developed ways of minimizing these dangers and still insist on taking to the streets to protest. Egypt
Can Turkey’s Kurds, military ever reconcile? A court case in Diyarbakir provides hope for the first time for reconciliation between the Turkish military and Kurdish citizens. Iraq
Iraqi weapons market surges during Syria conflict The illegal weapons trade in Iraq has seen a spike in activity as armed sectarian militias grow more numerous and weapons are smuggled into Syria. Iraq
Iraq’s sectarian militias assume larger role Having instilled fear in local populations, Sunni and Shiite militias across Iraq maintain an iron fist over the daily affairs of Iraqi citizens. Iraq
Nasrallah hints at change in approaches to US, Lebanon In a recent interview, Hassan Nasrallah signaled Hezbollah's possible willingness to reconsider its relations with the United States and accept full integration into the Lebanese state. Lebanon
Israel debates legalizing medical marijuana The Israeli medical community is debating the use of medical marijuana for veterans who suffer from lasting post-war trauma. Israel
Israel benefits from Hamas' decline Hamas finds itself in one of its lowest points ever, abandoned by Cairo, Tehran and Damascus and forced to keep a quiet border with Israel. Palestine
