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
Israel Braces for Cyberwarfare With Palestinians After a series of cyberattacks and incidents of hacking from Palestinians, Israel has amped up efforts to protect its vital computer systems, reports Adnan Abu Amer. Palestine
Lebanese Political Crisis Related to Rise in Crime The increase in security concerns around the war in Syria has led to a sharp rise in crime in Lebanon, writes Elie Hajj. Lebanon
Ocalan's Words Expose Risks To PKK-Turkey Peace Plan Kadri Gursel writes on how the letters of Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned head of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), signal both a first step in building confidence and the difficulties to achieving a final agreement. Turkey
Iraq and Russia Going Ahead With $4 Billion Arms Deal Iraqi Minister of Foreign Affairs Hoshyar Zebari confirmed that Baghdad will go ahead with the arms deal it signed with Russia in 2012, but is waiting on the budget approval to begin payment, reports Ali Abel Sadah. Iraq
Water Riot Breaks Out in Iran Protests have erupted following a dispute over a water pipeline in Iran's Esfahan Province, reports an Al-Monitor correspondent there. Iran
Tunisian Turmoil Threatens Local Jewish Community The desecration of an ancient Jewish cemetery in Sousse has brought back long-forgotten memories and fears of anti-Semitism in Tunisia, writes Jacky Hugi. Israel
Iran Sanctions Relief: What It Means Samuel Cutler and Erich Ferrari explain how the Obama administration would implement the reported sanctions relief proposed to Iran by the P5+1 at the Almaty talks. Iran
More Military Arrests in Turkey For 'Feb. 28 Process' As Turkey marks the 16th anniversary of its alleged "modern coup," two more generals are called to testify regarding the Feb. 28 event. Turkey
Israel Should Reconsider Administrative Law Israel doesn’t understand the depth of the problem but, as Shlomi Eldar determines, the issue of Palestinian prisoners in Israel is the Achilles heel of any peace agreement and could set the region on fire again. Palestine
Allawi’s Bloc Considers Strategy for Iraqi Elections Ayad Allawi’s bloc, al-Iraqiya, issued a terse statement criticizing the Iraqi government and calling for a review of its own relationships with other Iraqi political parties, writes Ali Abel Sadah. Iraq
Mauritania Struggles to Fight Terror Because of an increased terrorism threat, Mauritania is intensifying its security measures and recently held a conference in Nouakchott for that purpose, reports Kaci Racelma. Mauritania
Lebanon Prepares for Gulf Tourists Amid Unstable Security Despite the unstable security situation prevailing in Lebanon, many Kuwaiti tourists plan to spend an official holiday in the country, writes Jean Aziz. Lebanon
