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 Seeks to Curb Weapons Flow to Gaza Israel is coordinating with Egypt to stop the flow of weapons into the Gaza Strip from Sudan, by way of Libya and Egypt, reports Adnan Abu Amer. Palestine
Mauritania Faces Salafist Threat Following the recent events in the Sahel region, the Mauritanian government has taken steps to strengthen its security apparatus to better deal with the Islamist threat, writes Kaci Racelma. Mauritania
Israel Fears North Korea to Become Nuclear Supplier of Middle East The nuclear test conducted by North Korea delivers a message to Iran and to other potential customers in the region, writes Alon Ben David: Why work hard to develop a bomb if you can simply buy one off the shelf? Israel
Syria Between Dialogue, Disaster As the Syrian conflict intensifies, Nassif Hitti argues that the only way out of the crisis is through a mutual understanding between the regime and opposition based on the Geneva Declaration. Lebanon
Hezbollah Combats Corruption Since its founding in 1982, Hezbollah has expanded from a military body to include social, political and economic programs, as its leaders work to minimize corruption. Lebanon
Hunger Striker Samer Issawi Invisible to Israeli Society Shlomi Eldar wonders about the political impact of Palestinian prisoner Samer Issawi's hunger strike, going on for more than 200 days. Palestine
Palestinian Attacks on Settlers Signal a Shift in Tactics Attacks by Palestinians against Israeli settlers have increased in recent years, requiring a shift in Israeli strategies to protect settlers in the West Bank, reports Adnan Abu Amer. Palestine
Tel Aviv Calling, Mr. Obama US President Barack Obama should skip the dismal visits to tombs and monuments in Jerusalem in his forthcoming visit to Israel and drop by Tel Aviv instead, writes Ben Caspit. Israel
Palestinians Not Optimistic About Obama Visit As US President Barack Obama prepares to meet Israeli and Palestinian leaders in their respective capitals, Palestinians do not expect any progress on the peace process, reports Hazem Balousha. Palestine
'Jordanian Option' Not an Option, Says Shimon Shamir Shimon Shamir, former Israeli ambassador to Jordan, tells Akiva Eldar why raising the possibility of Jordan annexing the West Bank is a slap in the face to Amman and runs counter to Israel's interests. Palestine
Algeria Amps Up Border Security Algeria is increasing efforts to stop the influx of armed extremist groups at traditionally porous border crossings following a series of terrorist attacks in the country, writes Kaci Racelma. Algeria
Assassination Will Not Weaken Iran’s Support for Assad Meir Javedanfar speculates that the assassination of a senior member of the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution (IRGC) will not sink Iran’s support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Lebanon
