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
Turkey’s Syria Policy in Shambles Over Support for Jihadists A host of misjudgments by the Erdogan government about Syria, including reliance on radical Islamists, has led to new headaches for Turkey. Syria
Hezbollah Dismisses EU Terror Designation Although Hezbollah claimed indifference to the EU listing, many fear the GCC may follow suit, with negative consequences for Lebanese communities in the Gulf. Lebanon
Is Saudi Arabia Targeting Hezbollah? As attacks against Hezbollah targets escalate in Lebanon, some within the party accuse Saudi Arabia of having a direct role in the violence. Lebanon
EU Decision on Hezbollah A Signal to Iran The EU decision to add Hezbollah to its terrorism list, and the fact that the EU was keen to distinguish between Hezbollah’s military and political wings, may be part of the EU’s desire to restart negotiations with Iran. Lebanon
Tight IAEA Inspection Regime Hampers Iran's Nuclear Breakout IAEA Deputy Director Herman Nackaerts says his agency would know "within a week" if Iran tried to divert uranium for higher enrichment. Iran
Nonviolent Palestinian Protesters Fear Failure of Peace Talks The Palestinian activists who have been nonviolently demonstrating for years worry that the failure of current negotiations will entail a new intifada. Palestine
Syrian Kurds Reject SNC, Al-Qaeda Syrian Kurds prefer to keep their options open for autonomy in northern Syria. Syria
How the US Can Move Russia on Syria A concerted US effort to find a political settlement offers the opportunity to turn Russia against the Assad regime, even if the Geneva II conference fails. Syria
Likud Party Indifferent To Netanyahu's Peacemaking Despite the coming resumption of negotiations, Likud Party leaders expect little from the renewed talks. Palestine
Syrian Kurds Reassure Turkey The leading Syrian Kurdish group claims it is not seeking to break away from Syria as tensions escalate with Ankara. Syria
Turkey’s Kurdish Question Extends to Syria The Justice and Development Party (AKP) government is struggling with whether its interests are better served by jihadists or Kurdish groups controlling areas of northern Syria. Syria
Kerry Delivers Ambiguity To Shuttle Diplomacy Kerry's mission and the failure to resume the negotiations on a more firm and clear basis than those tried before are examined. Palestine
