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
Arens: Netanyahu Made A "Mistake" With Livni Former Defense Minister Moshe Arens, in an interview with Mazal Mualem, criticizes Prime Minister Benjamin Netantahu's decision to ask Tzipi Livni to join his government, while praising Netnayahu's handling of Iran. Palestine
Hamas and Israel Seek To Maintain Gaza Peace Months after the Egypt-brokered cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, both sides seek to maintain peace in Gaza for political and other motives, writes Hazem Balousha. Palestine
Lebanese Electoral Law Redresses Christian Rights The proposed electoral law should allow Christian parties to have a greater say in Lebanese politics, writes Scarlett Haddad. Saudi Arabia
Will Kerry Convince Ankara on Syria? Semih Idiz writes that Ankara’s resistance to a negotiated outcome in Syria could lead to differences with Washington and perhaps to Turkey’s marginalization in efforts to end the war. Turkey
What is Behind Increase In Sectarian Killings in Iraq? A recent spate of execution-style killings in Iraq has again brought into question the effectiveness of the Iraqi security services, writes Ali Abel Sadah. Iraq
The Military Cannot Save Egypt Nervana Mahmoud weighs speculation about a military intervention in Egyptian politics. Egypt
Egypt's 'Spoilers' Threaten Democracy Omar Ashour writes on the necessity to contain "spoilers" — the disaffected political forces that are threatening Egypt’s democratization. Palestine
Prisoner X, the Mossad andThe Futility of Censorship Yossi Melman reviews the recent history of Israeli censorship in the name of security and recommends that Israel end the practice. Israel
Iraqi National Security Adviser Says Terrorism Linked to Havens in Syria In an interview with Mustafa al-Kadhimi, Iraqi National Security Adviser Faleh al-Fayad describes the intricate regional and internal factors affecting his job, and what the future holds for Iraq’s national security. Iraq
The Israel-Hezbollah Shadow War Israel and Hezbollah prefer a shadow war of terror and assassination rather than disturbing the uneasy truce on the Israel-Lebanon border, writes Ali Hashem. Israel
Abu Mazen Tries to Calm The West Bank The West Bank is seeing a new spike in protests and violence, but Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) still offers the best hope to avoid a third intifada, writes Shlomi Eldar. Palestine
Algerian Gas Plant Readies To Resume Operations As Algerian authorities continue to assess the security situation in the country’s southern regions, the afflicted Amenas gas plant prepares to resume its activities following the terrorist attack on Jan. 16, 2013, reports Kaci Racelma. Algeria
![Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Arens and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a news conference in Tel Aviv February 28. Arens said fighter planes had already raided key Hizbollah targets in Lebanon. The Israeli assault came in response to a roadside bomb that went off near an Israeli convoy in the south Lebanon occupation zone killing [Brigadier-General Erez Gerstein,] and a Radio Journalist and two soldiers.
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