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
Al-Qaeda in Iraq Targets Baghdad's Green Zone Al-Qaeda in Iraq has increased its violent attacks to exploit the political and sectarian turmoil gripping the nation, focusing on the Green Zone in Baghdad, writes Mushreq Abbas. Iraq
New Israeli Defense Minister Seeks Leaner, Smarter Force Budget cuts offer the new defense minister Moshe (Bogie) Ya'alon an opportunity to complete the visionary process he began as chief of staff: to shrink the clunky land army and make the IDF more relevant, given the challenges it faces, writes Alon Ben David. Israel
Hezbollah Again Postpones General Congress Hezbollah's decision to again delay its general congress may be linked in part to regional developments, including Bahrain and Syria, writes an Al-Monitor correspondent in Beirut. Lebanon
Palestinians Tire of Israeli 'Games' on Settlements Palestinians are tired of being fooled, and want President Barack Obama to press Israel on its illegal settlements, Daoud Kuttab writes. Palestine
Netanyahu's New Security Team Lacks Experience Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet meetings will now include new, inexperienced members, and it is with them that he will have to make fateful decisions, writes Mazal Mualem. Israel
Sectarianizing Foreign Policy In Egypt Mohamed Elmenshawy discusses the implications of Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi’s sectarian foreign policy. Egypt
Beirut on the Brink With Lebanon's leading troika abroad for diplomatic sessions, sectarian rifts have begun to reappear, and fears are growing that Syria’s conflict could leak over the Lebanese border, writes Jean Aziz. Lebanon
Obama: The Master Of Iran's Red Lines Israelis should be assured by President Barack Obama on Iran, Meir Javedanfar writes from Tel Aviv. Iran
Iran’s Basij Militia Builds 'Resistance Economy' Iran’s Basij paramilitary force has been tasked with building the agricultural foundation of a "resistance economy" to combat sanctions, reports an Al-Monitor correspondent from Iran. Iran
'The Mother of Martyrs' Leaves Bloody Legacy With the death of the “Mother of Martyrs,” Mariam Farhat, who sent her sons to commit suicide attacks in Israel, Shlomi Eldar hopes that her legacy of bloodshed will not survive her. Palestine
Hezbollah Death Stirs Sectarian Tensions in Lebanon Tensions between Sunnis and Shiites in Lebanon are rising as a result of the conflict in Syria, reports an Al-Monitor correspondent in Lebanon. Lebanon
Syria Warns Lebanon On Border Infiltrations Syria's Foreign Ministry has warned Lebanon not to allow armed groups to cross from Lebanon into Syria to conduct operations against regime forces, with Syria threatening military action if it continues, writes Jean Aziz. Lebanon
