Analysis Trump’s intervention fuels debate in Israel: Will Netanyahu accept plea deal or pardon? Many in Israel were stunned when President Donald Trump slammed the trial of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and called it a "witch hunt." By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Lebanon arrests fmr economy minister Amin Salam on embezzlement charges The arrest comes nearly a year after the former central bank chief was arrested on charges of embezzlement and money laundering, among other things. Lebanon
EU commission removes UAE, adds Lebanon and Algeria to money laundering list: What to know The changes to the list are still pending approval from EU member states and the European Parliament, likely within the next month. United Arab Emirates
Pentagon formally accepts Qatar’s luxury megajet for Trump: What to know Qatar's offer to provide the US president with $400 million aircraft is likely to reinforce Democratic opposition to recently announced major arms sales to the Gulf kingdom. United States
Analysis Emboldened by Trump, Netanyahu is driving Israel into judicial crisis By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
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
Palestinian government passes law protecting whistleblowers For the first time, the Palestinian government passed a law on the protection of whistleblowers, witnesses and experts in corruption cases, as part of efforts to raise awareness against corruption. Palestine
Will Netanyahu’s ultra-Orthodox allies jump ship? Days before his deadline for composing a majority coalition, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu fears abandonment by ultra-Orthodox allies or a rebellion within the Likud. Israel
Why Egypt’s economic reforms aren’t enough to win over the street A new report shows significant progress in Egypt, but demonstrations are placing new pressures on President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to do more to battle corruption. Egypt
Iraqi government seems powerless against protesters even as 'unknown' snipers take toll For the seventh day in a row, protesters challenge the Iraqi government across Baghdad and the south; the death toll rises to nearly 120 as unidentified snipers pick off demonstrators. Iraq
Cairo attempts to quell anger following spate of protests In the wake of protests, the Egyptian government OKs some small price reductions and may allow a little greater press freedom. Egypt
Iran's influence seen in transfer of Iraqi war hero The recent transfer of a widely popular commander is thought to be an Iranian-backed effort to discredit Iraq's Counterterrorism Service, which is seeking to maintain its independence and military capability. Iraq
Egypt’s opposition threatens to freeze political activities over crackdown Some Egyptian political parties, reacting to recent arrests made to curtail protests, have threatened to cease political activity to express opposition to the authorities' approach. Egypt
Hamas takes rare action in alleged nepotism case following public pressure After an outcry from the Palestinian public, Hamas fined the son of one of its leaders in a case of corruption within its own ranks. Palestine
