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
Obama, Rouhani Should Talk More Often Progress in nuclear negotiations with Iran will have positive consequences for other regional security issues. Regional
Israeli Restictions at Al-Aqsa Could Spark Violence Israel is imposing tighter restrictions on Palestinian Muslims wishing to access Al-Aqsa Mosque while allowing more Jewish visits that disrespect Islamic customs. Palestine
Israel Contemplates New Regional Strategy Israel is anticipating how to manage the consequences of a thaw in US-Iran relations. Palestine
Israel Should Acknowledge Its Own Nuclear Program Instead of focusing solely on Iran, the international community should examine Israel's purported nuclear arsenal and its refusal to sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Israel
The Real Beneficiaries Of Erdogan’s Democracy Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's democratization package has lifted restrictions on devout Sunnis imposed by previous secular governments, pleasing his Islamist constituency. Turkey
Is Egypt Trying to Block Israel's African Union Bid? The Egyptian government is seeking to block attempts by Israel's African allies to grant Israel observer status at the African Union. Egypt
Hezbollah and Rouhani Hezbollah's relationship with Iran is not dependent on the Iranian presidency or government, but rather insitutions connected with the office of Iran's supreme leader and the velayati-e faqih. Lebanon
Iraqis Traumatized by Bombings The frequency with which Iraqis witness the carnage wreaked by explosions has psychologically scarred a high percentage of the country’s population. Iraq
Syrian Sufis Divided As Salafist Influence Grows Sufism has long been the dominant strand of Sunni Islam in Syria, but is under threat as Salafism gains power. Syria
Turkey's 'Massive' Rights Crimes At Gezi Protests Cited by Amnesty In a detailed study on Turkey's recent urban unrest, the international human rights body Amnesty International reports widespread abuse by authorities. Turkey
Volatile Hebron Could Derail Talks Riddled with Israeli checkpoints and neglected by the Palestinian Authority, Hebron is a powder keg that could explode at any moment. Palestine
Netanyahu's Iran Obsession A Diversion from Palestine Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's obsession with Iran was revealed during his UN General Assembly speech, which served to divert world attention from his refusal to compromise on the Palestinian issue. Palestine
