Analysis Emboldened by Trump, Netanyahu is driving Israel into judicial crisis Empowered by moves in Washington, Prime Minister Netanyahu fired Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar and is pushing for the sacking of Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Kuwait revokes citizenship of 464 as restrictions tighten under new emir Over 35,000 Kuwaitis have lost their citizenship since the government enforced amendments to its citizenship law in September of last year. Kuwait
Public backlash as Iran closes $3.7B corruption case, largest in its history With only two former ministers receiving lenient sentences, the $3.7 billion embezzlement scheme has reignited national debates on systemic corruption amid an increasingly dire economic climate. Iran
Nawaf Salam secures enough votes to be Lebanon's next prime minister The ICJ president is not a Hezbollah favorite, but has secured the backing of more than 70 parliamentarians to be Lebanon's next prime minister. Lebanon
Analysis Why is Sara Netanyahu still in Miami as Israel PM faces health, other crises? By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
Analysis With Gulen dead, Turkey sees chance to weaken group, improve US ties By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis Iran expands spy network in Israel, recruiting Jews and Arabs for attacks By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Iran's Rouhani threatens to reveal economic corruption President Hassan Rouhani and Chief Justice Ebrahim Raisi clash over corruption cases. Iran
Can Houthis bribe their way out of anti-corruption protests? The de facto Houthi government in Yemen has introduced the first phase of an anti-corruption drive that relies on citizen participation and has elicited criticism from opponents. Yemen
Lebanese protesters take their uprising to the doorsteps of political elite Protesters across Lebanon have begun to move toward a strategy that targets public institutions. Lebanon
Pressure increases on Israel's attorney general over case against Netanyahu As tensions heighten with Israel's attorney general getting closer to deciding whether to indict Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, some Netanyahu supporters are crying foul over police tactics during the interrogation of Nir Hefetz, a key witness, and claim that as a result of them the most serious charges against the prime minister should be dropped. Israel
Iran worried by Lebanon 'vacuum' after Hariri resignation The political uncertainty arising from the resignation of Lebanon's prime minister is sparking worries in Iran, which maintains key interests in the tiny but strategic Arab country. Lebanon
Netanyahu’s Israel: Safe-haven for criminals Israel’s ill repute for political corruption has an additional aspect: Capitalizing on their Jewish origins, criminals from other countries are finding a safe haven in Israel from law enforcement authorities abroad who prefer these criminals remain in Israel. Israel
How to protect judges who would preside in Netanyahu case Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been loudly claiming that the police, the state prosecution and the attorney general have been persecuting him; he likely would try to undermine and even attack his judges if and when brought to trial. Israel
Will Hezbollah ride or face Lebanon’s uprising? Whatever the outcome of Lebanon's protests, one thing is certain: Hezbollah will have to change if it wants to weather the storm. Lebanon
Intel: What’s fueling Iraqi anger at the government Iraqi protesters have returned to the street in force over the past five days for the second time since early October. Iraq
Egypt plans to reinstate municipal oversight councils Parliament hopes to pass a bill yet this year to tackle corrupt municipal workers in Egypt, even as the federal government is cracking down on protesters who are trying to take on alleged malfeasance at the highest levels. Egypt
Why Israel should expand work permits for Palestinians In order to end the situation where Palestinians pay thousands of shekels to obtain work permits in an illegal manner, Israel should expand the number of permits and offer job seekers some hope. Palestine
Beirut burns as Lebanon protests new taxes Protests in Lebanon over new taxes continued despite the use of force by politicians' bodyguards. Lebanon
