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
The Israel-Egypt-Hamas Triangle in the Sinai The threat posed by Salafists and other jihadists in the northern Sinai has resulted in Hamas, Egypt and Israel recognizing their mutual interests. Palestine
Australian Visit Highlights Syrian Refugee Problem in Lebanon Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr calls for an end to the fighting in Syria and support for Lebanon. Lebanon
Maliki Scrambles to Address Deteriorating Iraqi Security Iraq's leaders have no answers as they struggle to reassure Iraqis after a wave of terrorist bombings. Iraq
Lebanese Politics Affected By Syrian Battle for Qusair The fall of the Syrian town of Qusair to regime forces will likely have consequences for Lebanon. Lebanon
The Limits to Europe's Pivot to the Gulf As the US strategic posture pivots toward Asia, Europe is looking again at the Gulf. Legacy: Gulf
Syrian Minister Defends 'Legitimate Right' to Fire on Israel An exchange of fire between Israel and Syria on the Golan Heights raises the question of whether Damascus has adopted a new policy toward Israel and the possibility of an active Golan front. Israel
Jerusalem Eviction Postponed, Offering a Glimmer of Hope The Shamasneh family, residents of the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in east Jerusalem, are facing eviction under Israeli laws that allow Jewish residents to take back property owned prior to 1948. Palestine
Turkey’s Syria Policy: No Easy Answers Turkey’s Syria policies were not wrong, but poorly presented. Syria
Iraq Needs a Road Map to End Sectarian Violence Iraq’s religious leaders need to help broker the political compromise that is eluding its political leaders. Iraq
US Should Move Beyond Drones in Yemen US security assistance toward Yemen cannot depend primarily on controversial drone attacks and needs to be linked to security reform in the country. Yemen
Israel’s Triple Challenge On the Syrian Front Israel faces tactical, operative and strategic challenges on its Syrian front, trying to combine efficient deterrence without sinking into the Syria quagmire. Israel
Hezbollah Campaigns For Preemptive War in Syria To preempt dissent among its base, Hezbollah is conducting a propaganda campaign to convince supporters that the sacrifices they are making in the battle for Qusair are worth it. Lebanon
