Corruption and nepotism

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends his trial on corruption charges at the District Court in Tel Aviv, on Dec. 16, 2024.

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."

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Lebanese Minister of Economy Amin Salam (R) vists the port of the capital Beirut, as a corner of the silos which were destroyed in a massive explosion on August 4, 2020, burns on July 14, 2022. - The fire at the port's blast-hit grain silos, at risk of collapse due to severe damage, ignited at the start of the month because of fermentation of remaining grain stocks paired with rising temperatures. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP) (Photo by ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images)

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.

A woman looks on from Creek Harbout at the Dubai skyline with Burj Khalifa, the world's largest building (C) on Feb. 5, 2025.

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

A Qatari Boeing 747 sits on the tarmac of Palm Beach International airport after US President Donald Trump toured the aircraft on Feb. 15, 2025.

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.

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Analysis

Emboldened by Trump, Netanyahu is driving Israel into judicial crisis

US President Donald Trump, accompanied by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L), speaks during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House, Washington, Feb. 4, 2025.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Kuwait revokes citizenship of 464 as restrictions tighten under new emir

A voter holds his proof of Kuwaiti citizenship upon arriving at a polling station during parliamentary elections in Kuwait City on June 6, 2023.

Public backlash as Iran closes $3.7B corruption case, largest in its history

A man checks old banknotes in the Grand Bazaar in Tehran on March 3, 2025. Iran's parliament sacked the country's finance minister on March 2 after impeaching him over soaring inflation and a plunging currency, state television reported. (Photo by Atta KENARE / AFP) (Photo by ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)

Nawaf Salam secures enough votes to be Lebanon's next prime minister

Nawaf Salam

Lebanese anti-government protesters hold a mask of Lebanon's Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh during a protest in front of the central bank headquarters in Beirut to protest against the economic policies of the bank on November 27, 2019. - Since September, debt-saddled Lebanon has had a liquidity crisis, with banks rationing the supply of dollars. As a result, the dollar exchange rate on the parallel market has topped 2,000 Lebanese pounds -- a spike from the pegged rate of 1,507. (Photo by JOSEPH EID / A

Lebanon's scorned central bank chief Riad Salameh steps down

Salameh is under investigation in both Lebanon and Europe for financial crimes as Lebanon’s economic crisis continues.

Lebanese protesters take part in a demonstration called for by the banks depositors committee against monetary policies, on May 9, 2023. Lebanon's economic meltdown, described by the World Bank as one of the worst in recent global history, has plunged most of the population into poverty according to the United Nations. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP) (Photo by ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images)

Lebanon’s Riad Salameh interrogated, assets frozen as citizens raid banks

The judicial proceedings against central bank governor come against the background of a worsening economic and political crisis, and as his term is set to expire next month.

A demonstrator from the "Pink Front" group lights a flare.

Analysis

Chaos at Israel's parliament as Netanyahu pushes judicial overhaul

Ahead of the Knesset vote on the clause canceling the power of the Supreme Court to abolish unreasonable decisions or appointments, demonstrators are gathering outside and inside Israel's parliament.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Lebanese protesters clash with bank guards in Beirut during a demonstration called for by the banks depositors committee against monetary policies, on May 9, 2023. Lebanon's economic meltdown, described by the World Bank as one of the worst in recent global history, has plunged most of the population into poverty according to the United Nations. (Photo by ANWAR AMRO / AFP) (Photo by ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images)

IMF warns Lebanon crisis will intensify as corruption, paralysis continue

Lebanon's economic and political crisis is worsening, as currency depreciation, political instability, lack of reform, corruption and anti-refugee sentiment continue to plague the country.

Arnon Milchan leaves the Old Ship Hotel, after giving testimony in Benjamin Netanyahu's corruption trial which is being transmitted via videolink to the District Court of Jerusalem, on June 25, 2023 in Brighton, England. Arnon Milchan, a film producer who prosecutors allege gave the Israeli prime minister expensive gifts in return for personal favours, was reported to be testifying remotely due to health reasons. (Photo by Chris Eades/Getty Images)

Analysis

Cigars and champagne: What's next in Netanyahu's trial as Milchan testifies?

Testifying in Brighton instead of Jerusalem, billionaire Arnon Milchan claimed he did not realize the gifts he gave to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were perhaps inappropriate.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

A Lebanese anti-government protester hold a mask of Lebanon's Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh during a protest in front of the central bank headquarters in Beirut to protest against the economic policies of the bank on November 27, 2019. - Since September, debt-saddled Lebanon has had a liquidity crisis, with banks rationing the supply of dollars. As a result, the dollar exchange rate on the parallel market has topped 2,000 Lebanese pounds -- a spike from the pegged rate of 1,507. (Photo by JOSEPH EID /

Double trouble: Lebanon’s Salameh gets second arrest warrant from Germany

Riad Salameh is under increased scrutiny in Europe on suspicions of money laundering at a time Lebanon is grappling with a deteriorating financial and economic crisis.

Lebanon's Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh gestures during an interview with AFP at his office in the capital Beirut on December 20, 2021. (Photo by JOSEPH EID / AFP) (Photo by JOSEPH EID/AFP via Getty Images)

How much trouble is Lebanon's Riad Salameh in after Interpol's red notice?

Days earlier, the French judiciary issued an international arrest warrant for Riad Salameh after he failed to show up at a hearing in Paris over his alleged involvement in an embezzlement case.

Lebanon's Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh gives an interview with AFP at his office in the capital Beirut on December 20, 2021.

France seeks arrest of Lebanon's Riad Salameh after no-show for corruption probe

Riad Salameh, 72 years old, is currently being probed by Lebanese authorities and European countries including Switzerland over alleged money laundering.

Retired servicemen clash with soldiers outside Lebanon's central bank during a demonstration demanding inflation adjustments to their pensions, Beirut, Lebanon, March 30, 2023.

Lebanon’s angry depositors demand their money back from banks

Bank depositors staged a sit-in in Beirut to protest the banks' illegal policies imposed on their deposits amid a stifling economic crisis.

Retired servicemen try to remove the barbed wire barricade outside Lebanon's central bank during a demonstration demanding inflation-adjustments to their pensions in Beirut on March 30, 2023. (Photo by JOSEPH EID / AFP) (Photo by JOSEPH EID/AFP via Getty Images)

Lebanon's finance minister questioned by European investigators

In a first, Lebanese Finance Minster Youssef Khalil was questioned today in the case against Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh and his brother, who are accused of embezzlement.

Lebanon's judge Ghada Aoun, dismissed on May 4, 2023 for investigating corruption

Who is Lebanon's Ghada Aoun, maverick judge fired amid anti-corruption efforts?

The Lebanese judiciary’s disciplinary council expelled Judge Ghada Aoun from office over “legal violations.” Aoun has become widely known for her cases against prominent officials and politicians in the country.

ANWAR AMRO/AFP via Getty Images

US urges to elect a president in Lebanon 'free of corruption'

The State Department appeal comes as Lebanese politicians fail to address the country's economic crisis.