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
Police chief interview plays into Netanyahu’s hands The interview of Israel’s Police Commissioner Roni Alsheikh by Channel 2 was oddly premature, shifting the focus away from the investigation expected to lead shortly to recommendations to indict the prime minister. Israel
Iraq takes custody of officials wanted in corruption probes Iraq is taking steps to recover funds and arrest those accused of corruption by coordinating actions with foreign countries and Interpol. Iraq
Muslim Brotherhood crumbling around Erdogan As many Turks openly say the president's party has lost its mojo, it really means Muslim Brotherhood networks are collapsing there; the reasons also help explain the rise and potential fall of the cult of Erdogan. Turkey
As corruption probe continues, Israeli police must set the record straight The media and social networks are flooded with reports about the various police investigations involving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, some of them outright contradictory. Israel
How Rouhani can combat corruption in Iran's budget The Rouhani administration’s shift toward performance-based budgeting could pave the way for a parallel reduction of corruption along with better addressing of grievances. Iran
Hardcore Likud stands by Netanyahu Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s support from Likud members runs deep, and it is related to the role played by the Likud Party in battling Mizrahi discrimination. Israel
Gas deal haunts Netanyahu again amid strip club recording scandal The scandalous audiotape of Yair Netanyahu must be examined by the legal authorities to see if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acted wrongfully when authorizing the 2015 natural gas deal. Israel
Netanyahu's 'family values' The recent scandal involving Yair Netanyahu, son of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, renews questions about the Israeli leader's handling of a lucrative natural gas deal. Israel
No end in sight for Israel's political divide in 2018 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's survival strategy has always been to drive a wedge between the right and the left, and we can expect more of the same in 2018. Israel
Israeli right wing joins anti-corruption battle Several members of the right-wing camp have recently joined the protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is suspected of corruption. Israel
Netanyahu works to pre-empt potential indictment Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu already started explaining why he has no intention of quitting if police recommend his indictment. Israel
At Zarrab trial, citizen journalist raises ire of Turkish media A lone citizen journalist covering the case of Turkish-Iranian gold trader Reza Zarrab in New York is stirring anger among Turkish media for her candid and nontraditional reporting. Turkey
