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
Lebanon Pays a Price For Syrian Economic Collapse The worrying economic situation in conflict-ridden Syria has sent tremors through Lebanon, a country that maintains strong economic ties with its eastern neighbor, writes Elie Hajj. Lebanon
Algeria Proposes 'Imam Syndicate' To Confront Salafists To confront the rising Salafism in the country and better control subversive preaching in remote mosques, Algeria may form an “imam syndicate,” writes Kaci Racelma. Originals
Israel's Use of 'Crowd Control' Weapons Faces Scrutiny Israeli forces are using "crowd-control" weapons which can severely injure or kill, Jillian Kestler-D'Amours reports. Palestine
Why Obama Should PlaceA Wreath at Arafat’s Grave Daoud Kuttab calls on US President Barack Obama to pay his respects at the grave of Yasser Arafat when he visits the West Bank next week. Palestine
Syria, Two Years and Counting Nassif Hitti writes that time is working against Syria as the situation worsens by the day. Lebanon
Suicide Attack Targets 'Symbol of Justice' in Iraq The March 14 suicide attack on the Ministry of Justice has only heightened tensions in an already divided Iraq, writes Omar al-Shaher. Iraq
US, Iran Teams Head to Istanbul For Nuclear-Experts Talks Arms-control officials from Iran and six world powers are heading to Istanbul to discuss a new nuclear proposal as Iranian leaders intensify debate about possible direct US talks, reports Laura Rozen. Iran
Syrian Conflict Extends To Border With Israel Syrian opposition forces are battling for control of regions near the Israeli border, threatening a conflict with that country, reports Nasser Chararah. Israel
Questions About Turkish Justice Semih Idiz writes about the state of judicial reform in Turkey. Turkey
Israel-Syria Border Becomes Flashpoint Syria's inability to control its border with Israel has introduced uncertainty and increased chances for the regionalization of Syria's civil war, writes Geoffrey Aronson. Israel
Israeli Court Rejects Gaza War Crime Case An Israeli court has rejected a lawsuit filed by a Gazan who lost family members and his home to an Israeli airstrike in 2009, Mohammed Suliman reports. Palestine
Islamic Jihad to Run In Palestinian Elections Islamic Jihad's leader in Gaza, Khader Habib, confirms to Abeer Ayyoub that his faction intends to run for the first time in Palestinian National Council elections. Palestine
