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
Iran-backed militias in Iraq under fire after attack on base kills two Americans Iran-backed militias in Iraq are facing strong criticism from politicians and protesters after the attack on US troops at the Taji military base. Iraq
Intel: Pentagon says Iran-backed groups 'likely' behind deadly Iraq attack Rocket attacks that left one British and two American service members dead in Iraq March 11 were likely the work of Iranian-backed militias, the top US military commander in the Middle East told Congress today. Iraq
Will Marib province survive Houthi offensive after fall of al-Jawf? An offensive on Marib province is looming but may not be imminent as analysts say they think Marib will likely remain in a state of ebb and flow following the battles in al-Jawf and Nihm. Saudi Arabia
Multiple US troops dead in Iraq after rocket strike A rocket attack on a US base in Iraq killed two US service members and prompted questions of whether it was a retaliatory act by Iran. Iraq
Trial of detained Saudi women's activist postponed in Riyadh A court hearing for Saudi women's rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul is delayed for a week. Saudi Arabia
Details sparse as first coronavirus case reported in Turkey Health officials announced Turkey's first confirmed coronavirus case late Tuesday but shared no details, leading disease specialists to urge more screening and greater transparency. Turkey
Turkey’s Erdogan vows retaliation if Idlib truce violated Turkey and Russia are maintaining a fragile truce in Syria's Idlib, yet the Turkish president said his military may retaliate if its outposts are targeted. Syria
Intel: Despite new Idlib deal, Russia, Turkey look to strengthen leverage in Syria Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar spoke by phone with his Russain counterpart Sergey Shoigu March 10 about the progress of the bipartisan protocol over Idlib that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed in Moscow on March 5. Syria
Erdogan’s war in Idlib faces uphill battle on the home front Having failed to deliver on his ultimatum to the Assad regime, Erdogan now has a serious credibility problem domestically. Syria
Israel dreads coronavirus outbreak in Gaza So far, the closure has protected the Gaza Strip from the coronavirus, but Israeli specialists estimate that a COVID-19 outbreak there is just a matter of time. Palestine
Yemen's Houthis advance in Marib, Saudi border areas The Houthis have taken over much of al-Jawf and Marib provinces and secured their main stronghold in Saada, expanding the Saudi border areas they control and gaining a short military path toward the source of wealth in Marib. Saudi Arabia
Syrian government struggles with unrest in Suwayda Local figures in Syria’s southern province of Suwayda have been considering solutions to the clashes and tension ongoing with regime affiliates in the province. Syria
