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
Iraqi security services infiltrated by terrorists Extremist militias are acquiring official security and military uniforms and equipment which allow them to further compromise the country’s already unstable security situation. Iraq
Internal disagreements could lead to al-Qaeda split Recent disagreements between al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahri and ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi could lead to major splits within the organization. Iraq
Islamic militia expels criminal gangs from Aleppo The al-Qaeda-affiliated Islamic State of Iraq and al-Shams has won the praise of Aleppans after expelling criminal gangs that have looted and ravaged the city. Syria
Rouhani, Zarif on the clock to get nuclear deal A divided P5+1 is both a boon and a challenge for Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif. Iran
Syrian opposition split over peace conference The National Coalition of Syrian Opposition and Revolutionary Forces is meeting in Istanbul to consider participating in the Geneva II peace conference. Syria
Turkey unlikely to upset Iraq in KRG energy deal Turkey’s energy initiatives with the Kurdistan Region of Iraq are not likely to jeopardize a possible warming trend in Ankara-Baghdad ties. Business
Netanyahu rejects 'deal of the century for Iran' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US Secretary of State John Kerry reportedly clash before Kerry headed to Geneva for the Iran talks. Israel
Despite Swiss report, controversy over Arafat's death continues The publication of the Swiss inquiry into the death of Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat does not offer an end to the debate over whether he was poisoned. Palestine
Police reforms to combat sexual violence not enough Several initiatives by Middle East countries may be a good start, but there is still a long way to go to combat sexual violence in the region. Yemen
US official on Syria: 'half the population is suffering' US Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees and Migration Anne Richard discusses the Syrian humanitarian crisis with Al-Monitor. Jordan
Israeli police warn of rise in organized crime Israeli criminal organizations are stepping up their ruthlessness, adapting their operational methods to the modern era and penetrating government circles. Israel
Iranian foreign minister 'hopeful' on nuclear framework agreement US Secretary of State John Kerry will join the P5+1 talks in Geneva amid expectations of a possible deal. Iran
