Lebanon’s Riad Salameh hospitalized as arrest roils Beirut: What to know Lebanon's former Central Bank governor, Riad Salameh, was taken from prison to a hospital over his deteriorating health. Lebanon
Here's what to know about Iraq's corruption as Zaidi launches crackdown Watchdogs and financial institutions regard Iraq as a significantly corrupt country as the new prime minister works to recover public funds. Iraq
Analysis Iraqi PM’s anti-corruption drive comes as US pressure mounts on Iran-backed militias Iraq’s new prime minister has launched a sweeping anti-corruption campaign ahead of key talks in Washington, but analysts say the real test will be whether it reaches Iraq’s most powerful Iran-backed actors. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
As Trump casts doubt on Netanyahu's future, Likud rushes to reaffirm support By questioning whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will run in the next Knesset elections, President Donald Trump may have dented one of the Israeli leader's key political assets ahead of the vote. Israel
Analysis Can Bennett, Lapid unite Israel’s opposition to unseat Netanyahu? By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Analysis After Trump’s pardon letter to Herzog, 4 scenarios emerge for Netanyahu’s trial By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Commentary: Why Netanyahu needs a landslide victory The strategy of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against a possible indictment includes early elections and the appointment after of yes-men for the positions of IDF chief of staff and police commissioner. Israel
Democrats’ promised Trump probes threaten to sweep up Mideast allies Key US allies could be caught in the crosshairs as Democrats plan extensive investigations into President Donald Trump’s policies and business dealings should they win in November. Saudi Arabia
'Diamond Dust,' a poisonous pleasure for Egyptian moviegoers The book "Diamond Dust" and its adaptation for the stage didn't ruffle any feathers when they appeared in Egypt, but the movie version has proved to be controversial for taking on a political subject no one previously dared touch. Egypt
Can the Knesset rein in the Israel Police? A parliamentary committee of inquiry is necessary to get to the bottom of the affair involving Gal Hirsch, whose appointment to be police commissioner was scuttled by news of a police investigation into his activities, and the apparent practice of the police to compile incriminating intelligence on Israeli politicians and others. Israel
Can Netanyahu get indicted and then re-elected? Police recommend assembling the different cases involving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu into one indictment. Israel
Why Iran must legislate away rampant corruption To successfully tackle corruption, Iranian authorities should address the environment that enables graft and nepotism instead of merely detaining those who engage in such practices. Iran
Iranians ask government officials: #Where_is_your_kid? Public calls for Iranian officials to account for the lifestyles of their children bring focus to the issue of the lack of trust in the political establishment. Iran
Iran prosecutor warns ministers: no one is immune in anti-corruption probe Iran’s judiciary and the Rouhani administration appear to be heading for a clash over prosecutors' approach to an effort to tackle corruption. Iran
Turkey’s economy struggles with new political reality Turkey’s economic downturn has only grown worse since President Recep Tayyip Erdogan assumed sweeping new powers after the June polls, as some observers fear that the economy might not be Ankara’s primary concern. Turkey
Senior Iranian clerics ask Rouhani to fight corruption Grand ayatollahs in Iran are asking the judiciary and the Rouhani administration to fight corruption rather than blaming sanctions. Iran
Cigarette scandal shifts attention to institutionalized corruption in Jordan Jordanians were shocked to hear about a major corruption scandal involving officials who have allegedly helped businessmen run several unlicensed cigarette plants. Jordan
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
![An Iraqi's ink-stained finger is seen holding on to a cigarette in Amman December 14, 2005. [Iraq's al Qaeda and other militant groups branded landmark elections as ungodly and vowed to keep up their jihad to turn the country into an Islamic state, according to an Internet statement dated Monday.] - PBEAHUNUBES](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2018/07/RTXO28F.jpg/RTXO28F.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=b3kQn4Ki)
