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
Iraq Closes Anbar Crossing As Sunni Protests Continue The authorities in Baghdad have closed Iraq's border crossing linking Anbar province to Jordan, a move some see as punishment for the region's continual protests against the government. Iraq
US Needs to Link Peace Process, Syria For Washington to successfully form a Western-Arab coalition against Syria, it must increase pressure on Israel to avoid accusations of having double standards. Palestine
Southern Israeli Town Forgotten After Rockets Stop Falling Just a mile away from Gaza in Israel, Sderot residents love their town despite economic difficulties and a year of rocket attacks. Israel
UN Warns of Israel-Syria Escalation The UN secretary-general warned today that the cease-fire between Israel and Syria is in jeopardy as Austrian forces have withdrawn from the UN Disengagement Observer Force. Israel
Erdogan: Sometimes Innocent Suffer Along With Guilty Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan is conducting a public relations campaign to redress the peaceful Gezi Park protests and paint an image that all protesters are at fault. Turkey
Only Politics Can Save Egypt's Economy Solving Egypt’s economic woes is a non-starter until there is political stability. Egypt
The Only Win-Win For Erdogan and Turkey Prime Minister Erdogan can achieve his favorite win-win equation only if he takes a step back and avoids escalation Turkey
Palestinian Female Prisoners Suffer Abuse in Israeli Jails Former Palestinian female prisoners in Israel recount their experiences, which often include assault at the hands of Israeli prison guards. Palestine
Egyptian Opposition Expects Violent Clashes on June 30 The feeling on Cairo’s streets is that the one-year anniversary of President Mohammed Morsi’s rule will result in violent confrontations. Egypt
Gezi Park Protests May Be Erdogan's Election Investment Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan may be exploiting street protests to divide people to prepare for elections Turkey
Iraqi Kurdistan Region Struggles To Cope With Syrian Refugees Syrian refugees have been flowing into the Iraqi Kurdistan region, making the need for international assistance more pressing than ever. Iraq
Assad's Days Numbered? Think Again Too many analysts and journalists have based their pronouncements of Assad's "numbered days" on wishful thinking. Israel
