Corruption and nepotism

A print house worker produces a campaign poster showing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Analysis

Corruption trial, ICC warrant: Why Netanyahu will stay in politics even if he loses

Netanyahu stands to lose more than the premiership. His criminal corruption trial and the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant against him are also at stake.

Mazal Mualem

By Mazal Mualem

In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics

JOSEPH EID/AFP via Getty Images

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.

AHMAD AL-RUBAYE / AFP via Getty Images

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.

aqi security personnel patrol in a vehicle along a street in Baghdad on June 28, 2026.

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.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Latest News

As Trump casts doubt on Netanyahu's future, Likud rushes to reaffirm support

US President Donald Trump (R) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shake hands as they arrive to speak to journalists during a joint press conference at Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, on Dec. 29, 2025.

Iraq arrests deputy oil minister in anti-corruption push

AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Can Bennett, Lapid unite Israel’s opposition to unseat Netanyahu?

Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs Yair Lapid (L) speaks to outgoing Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, during a meeting at the Knesset (parliament), in Jerusalem on June 30, 2022. - Final approval of the parliament dissolution bill was initially expected by midnight but was postponed to June 30 as coalition and opposition lawmakers sparred over last-minute legislative details, several sources familiar with the parliamentary said. (Photo by Menahem KAHANA / AFP) (Photo by MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP via Getty Images)

Rina Bassist

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

A member of the Alawite community pastes on a wall, in the northern Lebanese city of Tripoli , on December 6, 2007, pictures of Syrian opposition leader Rifaat al-Assad (R) and his son Ribal.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu participates in a joint news conference with US President Donald Trump (not pictured) in the State Dining Room at the White House, on Sept. 29, 2025, in Washington.

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.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Former Director General of Lafarge Bruno Lafont (C) and French lawyer Jacqueline Laffont arrive on the opening day of the trial.

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.

ABDEL MAJID BZIOUAT/AFP via Getty Images

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.

A picture shows a metal installation set up across from the destroyed Beirut port silos during a gathering to honour the victims of the catastrophic port explosion in 2020 and to call for accountability for the blast, in Beirut on August 4, 2025. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on August 4, vowed justice and accountability five years after a catastrophic explosion at Beirut's port, as the investigating judge finished questioning defendants, a judicial official said. (Photo by JOSEPH EID / AFP) (Photo by JOSE

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.

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.

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.

Analysis

Emboldened by Trump, Netanyahu is driving Israel into judicial crisis

Empowered by moves in Washington, Prime Minister Netanyahu fired Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar and is pushing for the sacking of Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara.

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

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

Kuwait revokes citizenship of 464 as restrictions tighten under new emir

Over 35,000 Kuwaitis have lost their citizenship since the government enforced amendments to its citizenship law in September of last year.

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)

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

With only two former ministers receiving lenient sentences, the $3.7 billion embezzlement scheme has reignited national debates on systemic corruption amid an increasingly dire economic climate.

Nawaf Salam

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

The ICJ president is not a Hezbollah favorite, but has secured the backing of more than 70 parliamentarians to be Lebanon's next prime minister.