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
Hamas Emphasizes Resistance Hamas' Al-Qassam Brigades have held two military parades in recent weeks and intensified its resistance rhetoric as problems with Egypt and Israel escalate. Palestine
Iran Looks to Iraq for Syria Support Qassem Soleimani, the leader of Iran’s Qods Force, has been seeking assistance from Iraqi Shiite forces to provide support to the Syrian regime but without much apparent success. Iraq
The Myth of Israeli Self-Reliance Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's statement that Israel relies only on itself contradicts Israel's military history, throughout which Israel has needed American arms shipments. Israel
A Death Provokes Anti-Government Protests in Turkey The Arab Alawite community of Antakya holds the government responsible for the unprecedented tensions in their once peaceful town after Ahmet Atakan’s death on Sept. 9. Turkey
Obama, Putin Acknowledge Limits of Power The Russian initiative concerning Syria gives the international community a little breathing room to effect a realistic resolution to the conflict. Lebanon
The 'Admiral' Heads Iran’s National Security Council Former Defense Minister Ali Shamkhani is the first Iranian of Arab descent appointed to the position of secretary of the Supreme National Security Council. Iran
Israelis Question Obama Response To 'Smoking Gun' in Syria Senior Israelis wonder what it means for US policy toward Iran that US President Barack Obama did not act on a "smoking gun" in Syria. Israel
Putin Wins Big in Syria, With Assist From Obama President Barack Obama's threat to use force against the Syrian chemical arsenal paved the way for the initiative by Russian President Vladimir Putin and maybe a solution. Israel
Turkey's Kurdish Road MapLosing Direction The PKK has suspended its withdrawal of militants from Turkey, casting doubt on the fate of the peace process. Turkey
Russian Diplomacy Transforms Debate on Syria The Russian initiative on Syria's chemical weapons slows the Obama administration’s flagging effort to get congressional support for a military strike. Syria
Lebanon as 'Theater of Surprise' In Syria War Lebanon is the traditional battlefield for regional conflicts. Lebanon
Nile Water Dispute Stymies Egypt Reset with African Union Egypt's relations with Africa remain cool despite a diplomatic campaign by Cairo to reboot ties. Egypt
