Iraq arrests deputy oil minister in anti-corruption push The arrest of Adnan al-Jumaili marks a second signification step against corruption by Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi’s government amid growing pressure from the Trump administration. Iraq
Analysis Can Bennett, Lapid unite Israel’s opposition to unseat Netanyahu? Six months before Israel's next elections, opposition leaders Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid have decided to run on one anti-Netanyahu ticket. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Rifaat al-Assad, perpetrator of Syria's 1982 Hama massacre, dies at 88 Known for his role in the 1982 Hama massacre, the late member of Syria’s former ruling family oversaw the killing of tens of thousands of civilians. Syria
Analysis After Trump’s pardon letter to Herzog, 4 scenarios emerge for Netanyahu’s trial President Donald Trump again asked Israeli President Isaac Herzog to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been on trial for over five years. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Analysis Trump’s intervention fuels debate in Israel: Will Netanyahu accept plea deal or pardon? By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Finance minister takes hit as Israelis protest effort to shield Netanyahu Kulanu head and Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon is paying a price at the polls for the recommendations law, though the bill was advanced by the Likud to benefit Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel
US sanctions-busting trial fails to shock Turkish markets Turkey’s financial markets remained relatively calm in the face of bribery confessions and other allegations targeting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkey
Is corruption in Turkey so commonplace even journalists are inured? Despite strict rules and regulations, freebies and moonlighting have become the norm in Turkish media, and offenders go without any sort of legal or punitive action. Turkey
Netanyahu on damage control after right-hand man interrogated Now that coalition chair David Bitan has been grilled by the police in the course of their investigation into the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu will have to find another strongman to rein in his coalition. Israel
Iran moves to stamp out corruption opportunities in customs The Iranian government is moving to eliminate customs evasion, a major point of revenue loss and corruption. Iran
Zarrab fingers Erdogan in NY trial bombshell Iranian-Turkish gold trader Reza Zarrab, testifying before a New York jury, has implicated President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his former economy minister in a massive sanctions-busting scheme as Turkey does its frantic best to spin the story at home. Turkey
For Netanyahu, all 'business as usual' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defused this week two coalition crises, thus guaranteeing once again the stability of his government. Israel
Turkey's creative schemes aim to discredit Zarrab case in US Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his team failed to convince the United States to agree to a “diplomatic solution” in the financial crime case involving Reza Zarrab and Turkey’s top bankers and former ministers. Now, Erdogan claims the case is a conspiracy against Turkey between the United States and the Gulen movement. Turkey
Is Saudi crown prince winning or losing in the Middle East? With Saad Hariri staying on as prime minister in Lebanon, the Saudi crown prince has suffered another setback in his efforts to counter Iran. Saudi Arabia
Ahmadinejad’s former VP takes refuge in holy shrine Former Iranian Vice President Hamid Baghaei took refuge in a historic shrine to avoid a court case over likely corruption charges. Iran
Turkey demands news as Zarrab drops off radar Turkey's Foreign Ministry issued a formal inquiry about the whereabouts of Reza Zarrab, an Iranian-Turkish businessman held in the United States on money-laundering charges that could implicate Turkey's ruling party. Turkey
Israel police chief falls into Netanyahu’s trap The interview accorded by Israeli police Chief Roni Alsheikh to daily Yedioth Ahronoth plays into the hands of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his accusations of being persecuted. Israel
