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
Palestinians Demolish Part of Separation Wall A group of 20 Palestinians drilled a hole in the separation wall near Jerusalem to reconnect two Palestinian villages. Palestine
Algeria Opposes Ransom To Terrorists In its constant effort to combat terrorism both at home and abroad, Algeria demonstrates that it is more opposed than ever to allowing ransoms to be paid to hostage takers. Originals
Lebanon: An Intolerable Delay Lebanon must settle the dipute over its electoral law and form a new government. Lebanon
Israeli Supreme Court To Rule on Eviction A day before the arrival of US Secretary of State John Kerry to the region, Israel's Supreme Court will rule on the eviction of a Palestinian family in East Jerusalem. Palestine
Iran Key to Success of Geneva II Talks on Syria The United States should invite Iran to the Geneva II talks on Syria and consider it a start for a more expansive regional dialogue. Israel
The Long Uncertain Road Back to Geneva If it happens, the Geneva II Conference on Syria will only be a start in bringing peace to Syria. Syria
Israel, Region Need Middle East Security Forum The need for security dialogue among the states of the Middle East region is more urgent than ever. Israel
Turkish Ties With Iraq, Iran Worsen Over PKK Peace Plan Iraq is protesting the relocation of Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) fighters from Turkey to Iraq. Turkey
Yemeni Houthi Leader Committed To National Dialogue Mohammed Nasser Al-Bakhiti, representative of Ansarullah (the Houthis’ movement) to the National Dialogue talks, discusses his party’s vision for Yemen in an exclusive telephone interview with Al-Monitor. Yemen
Iraq's Yazidis in Crossfire In Baghdad On May 14, 2013, 12 employees of an alcohol shop in Baghdad, 10 of whom were Yazidis, were killed by armed assailants amid increasing religious extremism in the country. Iraq
Turkey’s Military Uneasy Over Peace With PKK The Turkish military still has its questions about the Turkish-PKK peace process. Turkey
Al-Qaeda Finds Foothold In Tunisian Poverty A report from Kasserine, an unlikely incubator for Islamic extremism. Originals
