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
Iraq's Sunni-Shiite Killings: When It’s Based on a Name In a time when something as simple as your name or accent can condemn you to death, many Iraqis, particularly the youth, are distancing themselves from divisive sectarian identities. Iraq
Tracing Syrian Conflict Back to Iraq’s Civil War The relationship between Iraq and Syria has always been close, yet contradictory, with some arguing that the economic and political results of the Iraqi civil war led to the outbreak of Syria’s current conflict. Iraq
Al-Qaeda's Latest Target: Syria's Civilian Activists Opposition activists are being targeted by al-Qaeda fighters in rebel-held areas in northern Syria. Syria
Nasrallah Warns Turkey, Gulf on Syria Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah speaks on Syria and the region. Legacy: Gulf
Only Palestinian Authority Can Prevent Third Intifada There is sufficient rage and despair in the West Bank to fuel another intifada, but Palestinian Authority Chairman Abu Mazen knows this would be a fatal blow for Fatah. Palestine
Rouhani Puts US to the Test Presidents Barack Obama and Hassan Rouhani may have limited time to solve the nuclear crisis and reduce sanctions against Iran. Iran
Turkey Should Postpone Bill On Sending Troops Abroad It is not time for Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to ask the parliament to pass a new bill authorizing sending troops abroad, including Syria. Syria
Coalition Boss Warns Netanyahu Against Settlement Evacuation Yariv Levin, chairman of the governing coalition, has warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of the political price he would pay for striking a historic peace agreement with the Palestinians. Palestine
Is Turkey Giving Up on EU Membership? Turkey’s Middle East policies would benefit from joining the European Union. Turkey
Impressions From Turkey’s Syrian Frontier A visit to Turkey’s border with Syria provides context for the complexity of Ankara’s choices in dealing with the Syria war. Syria
Palestinian-Israeli Conflict Comes to Head in Area C The manhandling of EU diplomats by Israeli soldiers in the Jordan Valley is evidence of just how sensitive this area is to peace talks. Palestine
Rouhani Heads to New York, Offers Help On Syria Talks Al-Monitor’s analysis and coverage of what to expect at the UN General Assembly this week. Israel
