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
Extremist Preacher Denies Al-Qaeda’s Presence in Lebanon Salafist preacher Omar Bakri Fostock has denied that al-Qaeda maintains a presence in Lebanon, but doesn’t rule out the establishment of an Islamic emirate in the country. Lebanon
Lebanon's Economy Shrinks Under Burden of Syrian Crisis Traditionally bolstered by its larger and more economically diverse neighbor, Lebanon’s economy has felt the sting of the war raging in Syria. Lebanon
Why Did Al-Qaeda-Linked Group Hit Turkish Embassy in Somalia? The al-Shabab terrorist attack on Turkey’s embassy in Mogadishu has provoked further conspiracy theories. Turkey
Some Israelis Dread Peace Talks The renewal of negotiations brings no guarantees, while the status quo of the last few years offered relative security to both Israelis and Palestinians. Palestine
Egypt: Competing for Corpses The Muslim Brotherhood seems to be willing to sacrifice any number of its supporters to regain the upper hand in Egypt’s standoff. Egypt
Pro-Sisi Egyptians Struck by Amnesia Millions are embracing Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and have seemingly forgotten the ills of military rule that plagued Egypt for decades. Egypt
Turkish Diplomat Discusses Missteps in Syria In an interview with Taraf, veteran Turkish diplomat Yasar Yakis speaks about Turkey's position toward Syria and his views on recent Kurdish developments in northern Syria. Syria
Iraq’s Security Services in Crisis Iraq's security services are finding themselves unable to prevent terrorism. Iraq
Killing of Kurdish Leader Further Complicates Syrian Factions The assassination of a prominent Syrian Kurdish opposition figure has raised questions about the future of northern Syria. Syria
Back to the Future for US Policy In Egypt and Syria The Obama administration gives priority to containing Islamic extremism, not promoting democracy, in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia
Erdogan Seeks Informers Is Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government encouraging people to report on each other? Turkey
Can the Kurds Redeem Erdogan’s Faltering Image? If Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan can achieve a peace deal with the Kurds, he will have earned a place for himself in the history books. Turkey
