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
Israeli lawmaker in uphill battle to rein in local corruption Knesset member Roy Folkman heads a not very popular battle against corruption in local politics. Israel
Explosions at arms depot dent peshmerga's confidence in leadership Recent explosions at several weapons and ammunition depots have deepened mistrust between rank-and-file peshmerga forces and their leadership in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region. Iraq
Iran arrests top state managers as anti-corruption drive forges ahead Iran's judiciary is intensifying its crackdown on state managers accused of massive fraud amid a currency crisis the country is struggling to overcome. Iran
Tehran court lifts curtain on widespread corruption at bankrupted lender An Iranian court has shed further light on the extent of fraud at a bankrupt credit and financial institution, with former officials and local celebrities now dragged in. Iran
Is Iran’s youngest minister biting off more than he can chew? Iran's minister of communications and information technology is advancing the agenda of his transparency initiative, but Iranian officials are pushing back. Iran
Momentum builds for Iran to meet global financial watchdog requirements Iran’s political elite finally appear to have enough momentum to pass key measures to satisfy FATF’s demands for greater transparency and compliance with international standards, which will improve the changes of Iran and the European Union to build on their economic relations. Iran
Rouhani goes on offense against critics, shady interests and ‘culture of opacity’ Iranian president presses ahead with anti-corruption agenda in response to political dissent and widening protests. United States
Egyptians debate efforts to bring back Mubarak's billions Egyptians are divided over whether former officials should be offered the chance to pay back looted funds in exchange for dropped charges as authorities work to bring back the estimated billions of dollars smuggled abroad during the reign of former President Hosni Mubarak. Egypt
Iran’s economic crisis gives Rouhani chance to hit 'corrupt networks' Rouhani should make use of the mandate that Iran’s supreme leader has given for further transparency, which will weaken corrupt networks that are harming the country more than any external enemy. Iran
Iran’s youngest minister becoming symbol of transparency drive Iran’s youngest minister has received widespread praise for his “courageous” transparency campaign after revealing a list of allegedly fraudulent cellphone importers. Iran
Iran's ex-military chief accused of squatting in former shah mansion The former chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces has been accused of living rent-free for 25 years in a mansion belonging to the shah’s regime. Iran
Iraq faces uncertainty as parliament orders manual election recount As the Iraqi parliament orders a manual recount of ballots, the Kurdish opposition that lost in the election May 12 pushes for a cancellation of the result, while the PUK is adamant that the outcome should stand. Iraq
