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
Netanyahu recycles promises to combat soaring crime in Arab towns Ahead of the March elections, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is repeating promises he made nine years ago to control crime rates in Arab towns and villages. Israel
Syrian Kurds hoping for lifeline from Biden administration Damascus, Ankara and Moscow turn up the heat on US-backed group; UN Syria envoy says, "We can’t continue like this." Syria
UN: 800 people returned to Libya while crossing Mediterranean 2020 was a deadly year for people fleeing Libya for Europe, according to data from the UN's International Organization for Migration. Libya
Saudis praise Biden after president draws line on Yemen, arms deals During a speech promising to stand "shoulder to shoulder" with allies, Biden announced the end of US support for Saudi-led operations in Yemen. Saudi Arabia
Iraqi border crossings better protected as cells attempt desert attacks The prime minister’s decision to send military reinforcements to Iraq's border ports last year seems to have made officials feel safer and reduced revenue-siphoning corruption. Iraq
US may help keep GCC reconciliation on track It is unclear how firm or shaky the ground is for Gulf Cooperation Council nations' reconciliation with Qatar, but they may be on more or less good behavior to start off as well as possible with the Biden administration. Legacy: Gulf
Iranian diplomat sentenced to prison for bomb plot on Iranian opposition group The Iranian government strongly condemned the trial. The bomb plot targeted the controversial National Council of Resistance of Iran. Iran
Islamic State officials behind Baghdad bombing killed, prime minister says The strike follows the killing of IS' top official for Iraq near Kirkuk last week. Iraq
Lebanese activist and Hezbollah critic Lukman Slim shot dead Slim was shot while visiting southern Lebanon. The government has vowed an investigation amid speculation on Hezbollah's alleged involvement. Lebanon
How Turkey fits in regime-Kurdish showdown in Syria Some claim that a secret deal between Ankara and Damascus is behind the latest escalation between the Syrian government and the Kurds, but the situation could be more complex than it seems. Syria
Russia, Iran compete for influence in Syria via private security companies Private security companies in Syria with ties to Russian and Iranian forces are busily recruiting young men with attractive salaries. Syria
The Takeaway: Egypt welcomes US mediation to help break high-stakes deadlock over Nile dam Motaz Zahran, Egypt’s ambassador to the United States, says Ethiopia has "no political will" to resolve dam dispute; who’s buying Golani’s makeover?; former ambassador to United States says Israel needs "united front" against Iran nuclear deal; Egypt’s first female mixed martial arts fighter. Egypt
