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
Regional violence threatens Lebanon's fragile stability As suicide attacks and explosions increase in Beirut, Lebanon is being inexorably drawn deeper into the Syrian conflict. Lebanon
National Museum of Iraq remains closed to public Four years after officially reopening, Iraq's national museum remains off-limits to average Iraqis and information about it is difficult to obtain. Iraq
Europe plays its hand in Israeli-Palestinian talks With European threats of sanctioning both sides in the background, US Secretary of State John Kerry will try again to convince Palestinians and Israelis to make concessions before it's too late. Palestine
Turkey recasts approach to armed groups in Syria Intelligence reports of al-Qaeda threats against Turkey are causing concern. Syria
Baghdad-Erbil oil dispute: Agreeing to disagree, for now As the Erbil-Baghdad oil controversy drags on, it remains unclear how ties will be affected between Ankara, Erbil and Baghdad. Iraq
Laqis assassination reveals crack in Hezbollah’s ‘security fortress’ The Dec. 4 assassination of a leading Hezbollah figure in Beirut occurred when the organization was in a state of heightened vigilance. Israel
Assassinated Hezbollah leader key to technology, drone operations A source said Hassan al-Laqis was one of Imad Mughniyeh’s “smart students.” Israel
Al-Qaeda emerges amid Egypt’s turmoil Information is emerging that al-Qaeda’s growth in the region is extending into the Sinai Peninsula and across Egypt. Egypt
Israel exploits nature, archaeology for settlement expansion Israeli authorities are exploiting archeological sites and nature reserves to expand Jewish settlements in the West Bank. Palestine
The other Iranian breakthrough The rhetoric from Iran about Israel is still unacceptable, but the nuclear deal, while not perfect, offers Israel a chance for a diminished Iranian threat. Israel
Armed Salafist movement emerges in West Bank Israel, the Palestinian Authority and Hamas are all concerned about the changes underway in the West Bank's Salafist movement, which is transforming itself from a welfare organization into an armed terrorist organization. Palestine
