Russia and Ukraine
The US imposed further unilateral sanctions on Russia striking another blow to Russia's economy who were not happy with the newly imposed sanctions and threatened retaliation.
While politicians continued to argue blood was shed with the Ukraine army pushing back on the rebel-held Donetsk. However the world stood up and took notice when commercial flight MH17 was shot down by pro Russian militants killing 298 people on board. Among the passengers were 100 AIDS researchers on a trip to a conference in Melbourne, Australia. Since the shooting down of Flight MH17 the UN Security Council has called for an emergency meeting to discuss the growing problems.
Israel and Gaza
After the kidnapping and murder of several teenagers Israel forces retaliated by sending in troops to the north of Gaza and later bombing Hamas targets hitting a Mosque and clinic. Hamas countered taking aim at Tel Aviv with casualties beginning to grow on both sides of the conflict. As the conflict escalated the number of casualties rose further as both sides fought tit for tat.
There was a brief seize fire organized by Egypt which Israel accepted in return for militants stopping rocket fire, however, it did not last long with Hamas armed wing vowing to intensify the conflict and Israel targeting top Hamas leaders in return. As the conflict continued more innocents paid the price with an Israeli airstrike killing four children on a Gaza beach. Israel claimed a small victory when it stopped 13 men tunneling in from Gaza. There was momentary peace when another seize fire was agreed for 5 hours for humanitarian aid with fighting continuing soon after.
Libya
Fighting at Tripoli's international airport escalated with clashes between Zintan and Islamist Militia killing 7 people with fighting continuing when days after the initial attacks the airport was hit by rockets. With unrest threatening to spiral out of control the UN withdrew all it's staff from Libya and Libyan airspace was closed.
A suspect in the 2012 attack on the US embassy in Benghazi was found dead in his prison cell after only 2 days in custody.
Iraq
The US and Iraqi government have tried to use growing tension between the extremists groups against each other. However the US see's risks in assisting Iraq directly with many units are deeply infiltrated by either Sunni extremist informants or Shiite personnel. With fighting Kurdish women battled jihadist-led rebels in Iraq and lastly 29 people were killed in Baghdad when Militia stormed an apartment building in the east.
