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
Embarrassment at Israeli President Shimon Peres' house Daniel Birnbaum, CEO of SodaStream, explains to interviewer Shlomi Eldar why he challenged the rules of official protocol at the president's house, and protested on behalf of his Palestinian employees who were searched like criminal suspects before meeting the president. Palestine
Can Ocalan Rein In the PKK? Any agreement between Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and PKK Leader Abdullah Ocalan on the Kurdish issues will be complicated by Turkey’s policies toward Syria and Iraq, writes Denise Natali. Turkey
Syria and the Lebanon Model Nassif Hitti asks whether the "Lebanon model," which breeds fragile and sectarian democracies, is suited for Syria. Lebanon
Salafists Vow to Fight Until There Is 'Islamic State in Syria' In a rare interview, an Ahrar al-Shams fighter tells Al-Monitor that the goal of his Salafi group is to establish an Islamic state in Syria and that "We will not let go until we achieve our goal." He explained that most of his comrades “don’t know anything” about the external Syrian opposition, and that he believes Turkey is profiting from the war. Syria
Israeli Security Sources Anticipate Third Intifada As the deadlock in negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians persists, the signs of a popular uprising in the West Bank can already be sensed, writes Reuven Pedatzur. Palestine
Iraqi Border Closures Affect Commerce in Sunni Regions Iraq's decision to close border crossings in Sunni regions bordering Syria may be primarily for security, but it is also taking an economic toll, writes Omar al-Shaher. Iraq
Sistani Calls for 'Civil State' in Iraq Mustafa al-Kadhimi discusses the role of Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in Iraqi politics. Iraq
Israeli Occupation Causes Palestinian Identity Crisis Israeli occupation and colonization is not only stripping Palestinians of their land, but their identity too, Rana Baker writes. Palestine
Palestinian Militants From Syria Establish Lebanon Base In a move that could destabilize Lebanon, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine has set up two bases in Lebanon, one just a few miles away from Beirut, writes Jean Aziz. Lebanon
Iraq, Arab States Should End Sectarian Rhetoric, Policies Mustafa al-Kadhimi writes that there is common ground for Iraq to rebuild its relationships with its Arab neighbors, if all parties can cease sectarian rhetoric and agendas. Iraq
Baghdad Traces Iraqi Terror Links To Syria, Jabhat al-Nusra Ali Abdel Sadah reports that the Iraqi government is investigating links between Iraqi al-Qaeda and Jabhat al-Nusra, which the US has declared a terrorist group. Iraq
Erdogan's Domestic Challenges Of Peace with the PKK Prime Minister Erdogan's peace initiative with the PKK should be understood in the context of his other domestic political initiatives, writes Kadri Gursel. Turkey
