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
French cement giant Lafarge on trial for ‘funding terrorism’ in Syria: What to know The French company is accused of funneling millions of dollars via its subsidiary Lafarge Cement Syria to jihadi groups and intermediaries to keep its cement plant operating in northern Syria. Syria
Morocco arrests 400+ as youth protesters demand government steps down The group leading the protests, known as GenZ 212, posted a list of demands on social media Friday, including the dismissal of the current government led by Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch. Morocco
5 years after Lebanon's port explosion: Can Beirut find accountability? Not one official has been held accountable five years after the deadly port blast that killed over 220 people and destroyed much of Beirut. Lebanon
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
EU commission removes UAE, adds Lebanon and Algeria to money laundering list: What to know United Arab Emirates
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
Turkish prosecutor wants opposition leader’s immunity scrapped A Turkish prosecutor filed a criminal complaint against Kemal Kilicdaroglu, chairman of the Republican People’s Party and anti-corruption crusader, potentially expanding a crackdown that has already targeted other members of the parliamentary opposition. Turkey
Israelis not ready to topple Netanyahu over corruption Corruption and scandal may not be enough for voters to remove Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from office. Israel
Netanyahu prepares for day after police indictment Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has already prepared his public strategy in case the police recommend his indictment for accepting bribes. Israel
Former Iran Central Bank chairman denies ever meeting Zarrab The former head of Iran’s Central Bank said he never met with jailed Turkish-Iranian tycoon Reza Zarrab. Turkey
Ahmadinejad moves to target influential Iranian political family Iran’s former president appears to target the judiciary chief and the parliament speaker in a bid to regain political relevance. Iran
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
