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
Coronavirus, not Iran, Netanyahu’s biggest test Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has focused his political career on battling the Iranian nuke program as the biggest threat to Israel, but his legacy ultimately hinges on the way he confronts the current coronavirus outbreak. Israel
Islamic State children still waiting for Tunisia to bring them home Dozens of Tunisian children of IS militants are still stuck in Syria, Libya and Iraq as the government continues to wrestle with the logistics of bringing them home. Iraq
Russia, Turkey conduct first joint patrol in Idlib The first joint Russian-Turkish patrol along Syria's M4 highway didn’t go perfectly smoothly, but bigger challenges are already looming on the horizon. Syria
Erdogan meets virtually with EU leaders under coronavirus cloud Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a mini Syria summit with France, the United Kingdom and Germany's leaders today. Syria
Iran hard-liners storm shrines closed due to coronavirus Groups of Iranian Shiite hard-liners briefly unsealed holy shrines in Qom and Mashhad in protest of the government's closure against the coronavirus epidemic. Iran
Intel: White Helmets chief urges humanitarian aid for Syria’s Idlib The head of Syria’s White Helmets rescue force has been making the rounds in Washington over the last week to spotlight the dire humanitarian crisis in Idlib. Syria
North Africa braces for coronavirus It remains unclear how the coronavirus outbreak will affect the economies and social fabric of North African countries. Algeria
Mission impossible 2.0: Idlib plan stumbles at outset The latest Russian-Turkish deal in Syria’s rebel bastion of Idlib is off to a shaky start amid threats by armed groups to respond violently to attempts to open the critical M4 highway. Syria
Egypt suspending all flights amid coronavirus spread As the number of Egypt's COVID-19 cases rise to 150, Cairo says that all flights will be suspended for nearly two weeks and that tourism sites will be thoroughly sanitized. Egypt
Reports: US to reposition troops in Iraq After two rocket attacks within a week on American troops in Iraq, the United States is preparing to reposition forces there. Iraq
Syrian opposition split over Russia-Turkey patrols in Idlib The joint military patrols mandated by the Russia-Turkey cease-fire are in effect, sparking protests and dividing the Syrian opposition. Syria
Can blockade shield Gaza Strip from epidemic? The Israeli security system is trying to head off a nightmare as the coronavirus menaces the uniquely vulnerable Gaza Strip. Palestine
