Iraq arrests deputy oil minister in anti-corruption push The arrest of Adnan al-Jumaili marks a second signification step against corruption by Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi’s government amid growing pressure from the Trump administration. Iraq
Analysis Can Bennett, Lapid unite Israel’s opposition to unseat Netanyahu? Six months before Israel's next elections, opposition leaders Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid have decided to run on one anti-Netanyahu ticket. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Rifaat al-Assad, perpetrator of Syria's 1982 Hama massacre, dies at 88 Known for his role in the 1982 Hama massacre, the late member of Syria’s former ruling family oversaw the killing of tens of thousands of civilians. Syria
Analysis After Trump’s pardon letter to Herzog, 4 scenarios emerge for Netanyahu’s trial President Donald Trump again asked Israeli President Isaac Herzog to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been on trial for over five years. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Analysis Trump’s intervention fuels debate in Israel: Will Netanyahu accept plea deal or pardon? By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Israel's justice minister, the darling of Likud members The more he stirs controversy, the more Likud members hail Justice Minister Amir Ohana. Israel
Election 2020: Netanyahu's quest for immunity Unlike the campaigns for elections held in April and September, in the next election cycle the issue of immunity from criminal trial for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be squarely on the table for his opponents as well as himself to use. Israel
Iraq struggles with corruption as massive protests rage Iraq outlines the measures it is trying to take against corruption as criticism mounts against the government from within and without. Iraq
Why are Netanyahu’s associates indicted in submarine scandal, but not PM? Revelations in the submarine scandal and indictments on bribery and breach of trust have turned it into the most serious case of security corruption ever exposed in Israel. Israel
Will Iran’s 50% gas price hike pay off for the economy? Iran’s cutbacks on gas subsidies must be accompanied by a crackdown on corruption if they are to yield real benefits for the government. Iran
Israel v. Netanyahu: The real letter of indictment The damaging strategic policy decisions made by indicted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are even more criminal than the corruption-related charges for which he has been indicted, causing damage to Israel's defense and diplomacy. Palestine
Netanyahu directs supporters to protest law enforcement For the first time in Israel's history, the prime minister has called upon his supporters to demonstrate against the country’s law enforcement agencies. Israel
Indicted for bribery, Netanyahu ramps up his victimization campaign The decision by Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit to indict Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on charges of receiving bribes, fraud and breach of trust could be one too many even for the comeback master. Israel
Protesters in Iraq’s Nasiriyah fear Iran-backed armed groups In the southern Iraqi province of Dhi Qar, activists say they fear they will be targeted by Iran-backed armed groups. Iraq
Roads blocked again as economic crises threaten daily life in Lebanon Lebanese protesters have kept up demonstrations, including blocking roads, after the president called on demonstrators to return home. Lebanon
Million-dollar lobbying campaign against Kuwait suffers major setback A Kuwaiti court has sentenced a Russian businesswoman to 15 years of hard labor despite pressure from former US officials. Here's who's behind the campaign to release Marsha Lazareva. United Arab Emirates
Iran's Rouhani threatens to reveal economic corruption President Hassan Rouhani and Chief Justice Ebrahim Raisi clash over corruption cases. Iran
