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
Allies in Libya, Enemies in Mali Ali Hashem comments on the roots of the conflict in Mali, the connections to the campaign which overthrew Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi and the terrorist insurgency that is dividing Mali and destabilizing North Africa. Libya
Turkey Seeks 'Interdependence' With Iraqi Kurdistan Turkish officials seek to set the record straight that Ankara seeks interdependence with, not independence for, Iraqi Kurdistan, writes Tulin Daloglu. Iraq
Patriots in Turkey: Defensive, Offensive or Symbolic? Semih Idiz analyzes the various rationales for NATO’s deployment of Patriot missiles to Turkey and their possible consequences. Turkey
Israel's Elections Linked to Its Arab Policies Historically, there has been a close relationship between Knesset elections and the way in which Israel has conducted its regional foreign policy towards the Arabs, writes Jean Aziz. Israel
Lebanon Analysis of Israel Highlights Rewards, Risks The Israeli elections hint at potential for cooperation in the gas sector but also problems, writes Nasser Chararah. Lebanon
Iraqi Forces Confront Al-Qaeda Militants The Iraqi army is conducting military operations against al-Qaeda militants in western Iraq, with concerns that these groups are coordinating with terrorist groups in Syria, reports Ali Abel Sadah. Iraq
Israel Keeps Palestinian Authority on Life Support Adnan Abu Amer examines Israel's attitudes and policies toward the Palestinian Authority, and its interest in keeping the PA weakened but alive. Palestine
Obama Speech Suggests Modest Foreign Agenda for Second Term Judging from his comments in his second inaugural address, Barack Obama’s foreign policy over the next four years will not be particularly ambitious, including in the Middle East. Israel
Lebanese Minister Survives Convoy Attack Lebanese Minister of Youth and Sports Faisal Karami survived an attack on his convoy by Salafist protesters on Jan. 18 in the northern city of Tripoli, reports Jean Aziz. Lebanon
Syria’s Reconciliation Minister: Turkish Role in Syria 'Very Bad' In an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor from his office in Damascus, Ali Haidar, Syria's minister of national reconciliation, said that President Assad’s Jan. 6 speech constitutes "a step forward toward solving the crisis” and that Turkey's “role is based upon a sectarian position, and they are supporting some of the Syrian people at the expense of others.” Syria
Will Israel Miss Ahmadinejad? Nadav Eyal discusses whether Israel will benefit from a new Iranian president, who is likely to be just as committed to Iran's nuclear program and perhaps an even more formidable adversary. Israel
US Withholds Evidence for Iran Cyberattacks Computer experts say they believe Iran is responsible for a barrage of attacks on the websites of US banks but that the Obama administration should reveal how it knows this and acknowledge responsibility for its own cyberattacks on Iran. Iran
