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
Iraqi Politics Needs a Roadmap For the Future Following Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani’s visit to Baghdad at the end of April, Iraq’s political class still has many challenges. Iraq
Palestine and Syria Vie For Center Stage in Region Does the media’s preoccupation with Israeli-Palestinian negotiations overshadow developments in Syria? Palestine
Russian Embassy in Beirut Becomes Hub for Syria Diplomacy With Russia’s diplomatic base relocated from Damascus to Beirut, Moscow is refining its strategy on the Syrian crisis as the second Geneva conference nears. Lebanon
Land: The Heart of the Conflict Between Palestine and Israel As Palestinians commemorate 65 years since the Nakba, the issue of land and property is still the defining aspect of the conflict. Palestine
Bombings Lead to Anger, Questions Over Turkey’s Syria Policy Many Turks are wondering how their nation's Syrian policy can be a success when it has started costing innocent Turkish lives. Syria
Court Case Investigates Israel's Use of Phosphorus in Gaza A petition brought by human rights organizations to the Supreme Court has drawn attention to allegations of the IDF using phosphorus bombs during Operation Cast Lead. Palestine
Can the Israeli Defense Budget Be Cut In Half? A veteran Israeli Defense Forces general claims the threats to Israel today do not require a massive military or huge air force. Egypt
Palestinian Islamic Jihad: Iran Supplies All Weapons in Gaza The final article in a four-part series examines the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement’s relationship with Iran and other regional parties. Palestine
Home Brew Gains Popularity In Gaza In light of the ban on alcohol consumption imposed by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, many drinkers are turning to producing home brew. Palestine
Iraqi Kurds Reportedly Among Jihadists in Syria Iraqi Kurdish youth have reportedly been fighting alongside jihadists in Syria. Iraq
After 65 Years of Nakba, Hope In New Palestinian Generation The latest generation of Palestinian refugees may be one to restore the right of return. Palestine
Bombing Shakes Erdogan’s Domestic Agenda The Reyhanli blast may have an impact on Turkey’s constitutional referendum. Turkey
