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
Abu Mazen's Hollow Popularity Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas continues to poll well among Palestinians because of a lack of a viable alternative, not due to public affection for his rule. Palestine
Vedrine: Threat of Force Key To US-Russia Initiative on Syria Hubert Vedrine, a former French minister for foreign affairs, talks to Al-Monitor about the Syrian crisis. Syria
Terrorist Groups Exploit Palestinians In South Lebanon Al-Qaeda-affiliated groups based in a neighborhood adjacent to Ein el-Hilweh refugee camp in southern Lebanon are exploiting the Palestinian refugees' dire situation to increase their support base. Lebanon
The Hezbollah Question in Lebanon As developments in Syria and elsewhere around the region continue, a look at the role Hezbollah plays in Lebanon is more pertinent than ever. Lebanon
Davutoglu: Shooting Down of Helicopter 'Punishment' for Syria Turkey’s frustration with the Damascus regime going unpunished, even for using chemical weapons, played a major role in shooting down a Syrian helicopter. Syria
Egypt-Sudan Ties Deteriorate Over Nile Sudan is shifting its position closer to the other upstream Nile states as ties with Egypt's new military leaders grow weaker. Egypt
Hamas Shuts Down Egypt Center in Gaza The closing of the center reflects a further deterioration in Hamas-Egypt ties. Palestine
Israel's Right Wing Embarrasses Itself Over Court Ruling The overreaction of the Israeli right to the supreme court decision on illegal immigrants reflects its self-perception as a persecuted opposition, not as the party in power. Israel
Two-State Solution Under Siege US political scientist Ian Steven Lustick is the latest intellectual to jump on the one-state bandwagon for resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Palestine
Rouhani Should Give Priority To Religious Freedom in Iran Religious minority communities still face repression in Iran. Iran
Israeli Supreme Court Rules For Democracy Israel's highest court strikes down a controversial immigration law. Israel
