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
Is Iraq on Verge of New Civil War? Months of unrest in Iraq’s Sunni provinces, along with recent car bombings and other forms of sectarian violence, have raised concerns about another civil war. Iraq
South Yemen Activists Push For Independence Activists from the Southern Mobility Movement in Yemen claim that Sanaa is exploiting rumors of al-Qaeda activity in the south to delegitimize their cause. Yemen
Blame for Sinai Tension Also Lies in Cairo Continued violence in Sinai is prompting calls within Egypt for a revision of its treaty with Israel, but state neglect is also to blame. Egypt
Foreign Fighters Key To Decisive Battle of Qusair If there were ever a doubt, the war in Syria is now a war on Syria. Lebanon
Armed and Dangerous: Egyptian Court Gives Military the Vote Egypt’s Supreme Constitutional Court stirred controversy with its ruling to grant military officers and soldiers the right to vote. Egypt
Yemen's Real Blackout The transitional government in Sanaa appears to be repeating past mistakes and approaches in dealing with southern secessionist movements. Yemen
Iraqis Fear Return of 'Death Squads' To Baghdad Streets In light of escalating political crises and sectarian divisions in Iraq, some fear the return of Baghdad’s infamous "death squads," who reigned with terror over the past 10 years. Iraq
The Failure of Israel's Red Line Policy By drawing red lines it cannot keep, Israel is harming its credibility and its deterrence capability. Israel
Fears of Civil War Cripple Baghdad Commerce As sectarian violence and car bombings continue to flare up across Iraq, new limits on mobility have created roadblocks to the flow of commerce in the country. Iraq
Will There Be a Turkish Peace Dividend? The Kurdish peace process could bring changes to Turkey’s highly controversial and unchecked security policies and defense expenditures. Turkey
Syrian Fault LinesIn Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley The Syrian war has already come to Arsal and Hermel. Lebanon
Iraqi Kurdish Opposition Parties Oppose Referendum Iraqi Kurdish opposition parties insist that Kurdistan region President Massoud Barzani submit the draft constitution to the parliament. Iraq
