Mideastwire.com

WHAT WE DO

While there is a broad range of Arabic language media outlets reporting stories from and about the Middle East, there is currently no affordable and reliable means for English speakers to gain access to this content. As a result, many English speaking businesspersons, students, journalists and others who have an interest in the affairs of the region are largely unaware of what the Middle East media is covering and how they are covering these stories.

Mideastwire.com aims to close this gap by offering a daily menu of translations covering some of the key political, cultural, economic and opinion pieces appearing in the media of the 22 Arab countries and the Arab Diaspora. Through this effort, we hope to address at least one aspect of a global disconnect that continues to threaten a wide spectrum of socio-political and economic relationships, both here in the region and beyond.

It is also important to note that, since our founding in 2005, Mideastwire.com is wholly funded by the content license fees paid by individuals and organizations. As such, there is no government, commercial or non-profit support, an aspect that we believe provides a relatively independent platform for better understanding.

Our Corrections Policy: We adhere to an honest and open corrections policy. Please email info@mideastwire.com if you notice any typo or if you disagree with our translation choices. Since we do not produce our own content, we only will consider corrections that highlight typos or dispute our translations, not the veracity or accuracy of the original content. Accepted corrections are applied directly to the relevant translations as soon as they are approved by the editor and our database is updated accordingly for all subscribers.

TODAY’S DAILY BRIEFING

23-Apr-2024

Iran

Opinion

“Iran saved everyone and harmed Gaza!” (Al-Quds al-Arabi, United Kingdom)

Military and Security

On April 23, the Qatari-owned London-based Al-Quds al-Arabi daily carried the following opinion piece by Algerian writer Toufik Rabahi: “The whole world is benefitting from the ambiguous “battle” between Iran and Israel while Gaza is the only one harmed. Those cheering for Iran can defend it by saying it offered the most support to Hamas and the Palestinian resistance factions, and they would be right to a wide extent. But the facts seen during the last two weeks confirm that it saved everyone, at the head of which is Israel, and harmed Gaza, whether it planned it or not, and whether it intended to do so or not. Indeed, the “squabble” eliminated the disputes inside the Israeli government and reunified the War Council which was about to fall apart. It also relieved the Western and Arab politicians and media outlets, regardless of their inclinations, of any blame, feeling of shame, and impotence toward what is happening in Gaza… (Read More)

Politics

“…Will America decide to topple the regime in Iran?” (Website, Middle East)

Military and Security - USA Europe

On April 23, the privately-owned Asas Media website carried the following report by Josephine Dib: “…After the assassination of Reza Mousawi, the Revolutionary Guards officer, in Syria in December 2023, Iran chose to retaliate for the first time by firing ballistic missiles that set off from southwest of Ahvaz to the Kurdistan region. In Irbil, it targeted Kurdish businessman Beshru Diziyi, who is close to Israel… After the attack on its consulate in Damascus, Iran was forced to retaliate directly against Israel… Thus, for the second time, Iran launched several rockets and drones. However, for the first time ever, these projectiles targeted Israel… (Read More)

“Militias’ rockets in the direction of the US forces carry Iranian message…” (Newspaper, Middle East)

Military and Security - USA Europe

On April 23, the London-based Al-Arab daily newspaper carried the following report: “Political observers and experts on armed groups affairs do not believe that the timing of the rocket attack – launched by a Shi’i militia from within the Iraqi lands against a location of the US forces in nearby Syria right after the return of Iraqi PM Mohammad Shia’ as-Sudani from his official visit to the United States – was a mere coincidence… (Read More)

Lebanon

Politics

“Bassil in Jezzine: Will Birri be the ally of the 2026 elections?” (Website, Middle East)

Democracy and Party Politics

On April 22, Malak Akil wrote the following report on the privately-owned Asas Media website: “The Head of the Free Patriotic Movement [FPM] is speeding up his steps in the direction of smashing the obstacles separating him from his “former” opponent, Speaker Nabih Birri. Bassil’s visit to Jezzine yesterday is no passing matter… After a long journey of conflict with Samir Azar, Birri’s historical ally in the caza, and then his son Ibrahim, Bassil landed yesterday in the latter’s house where he expressed his joy “to be making this visit and the signs it carries,” stressing that “we are against self-isolation and partitioning. We are being faced with a major challenge. To preserve our choices, we must help each other… (Read More)

“…Hezbollah: Franjieh is the only, not just the first, candidate” (Al-Akhbar Lebanon, Lebanon)

Democracy and Party Politics

On April 23, the Al-Akhbar daily newspaper carried the following report by Nicolas Nassif: “When Hezbollah is asked about his opinion on the army commander, Gen. Joseph Aoun, as a potential candidate for the post of president, the answer is that the Party only has one candidate: the head of the Al-Marada Movement, Suleiman Franjieh. The answer is never coupled with the term “for now.” Franjieh is just the only candidate. In addition, the Party has no stand regarding any other candidate because “it has its own candidate… (Read More)

Middle East

Politics

“Will Russia manage to establish a military base in the Red Sea?” (Website, Middle East)

Military and Security - USA Europe

On April 22, the electronic Al-Khaleej Online daily newspaper carried the following report: “Russia is interested in expanding its political, economic, and military influence in the Red Sea, including the establishment of a logistical military base near Bab al-Mandib. Since 2009, Russian officials started to openly express this aspiration, which is linked to Moscow’s need to shield its growing interests in the region… (Read More)

Palestine

Politics

“Gaza negotiations: Problem lies in mediators or “ambitions” of both sides of conflict?” (Asharq al-Awsat, United Kingdom)

Arab Diplomacy - Military and Security - Peace Process

On April 21, the Saudi-owned London-based Asharq al-Awsat newspaper carried the following report from Cairo by its correspondent Fathiya ad-Dakhakhni: “In light of the “obstruction” of the negotiations to reach a “truce” in the Gaza Strip between Israel and the Hamas Movement, questions emerged surrounding the reasons preventing an agreement till now, though marathon negotiation rounds have been taking place in Paris, Cairo, and Doha for several months. The controversy was then fueled by Qatar’s talk about the “reassessment of its role as a mediator,” which coincided with speculations surrounding Turkey’s potential involvement in the mediation…, especially after Hamas Politburo Chief Isma’il Haniyah visited Istanbul last Saturday and met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan… (Read More)

“Source in Fatah: Hamas is no longer able to rule Gaza” (Asharq al-Awsat, United Kingdom)

Military and Security

On April 22, the Saudi-owned London-based Asharq al-Awsat newspaper carried the following report from Ramallah by its correspondent Kifah Zboun: “A source in the Palestinian Fatah Movement said: “There are no dialogues with the Hamas Movement about governing the Gaza Strip, neither above nor under the table, seeing as how the Palestinian Authority should be the one managing the Strip after the end of the war.” And he believed that “Hamas is no longer able to rule Gaza. So, they must wake up and stop their maneuvering.” The source was answering a question by Asharq al-Awsat regarding his assessment of the statements of Hamas Politburo Chief Isma’il Haniyah, in which he said that his movement was not interested in having sole representation in Gaza and that “building a national unity government based on partnership” was possible… (Read More)

Qatar

Politics

“American insistence on Qatari mediation in Gaza…” (Newspaper, Middle East)

Arab Diplomacy - USA Europe

On April 22, the Qatari-owned London-based Al-Araby al-Jadeed newspaper carried the following report from Cairo: “An American diplomat in Cairo, who is knowledgeable about the contacts related to the Gaza mediation, commented on the Qatari announcement surrounding the assessment of the mediation work by saying: “Washington is strongly insisting on the Qatari mediation… There is great confidence in Qatar’s role as an honest mediator that is trusted by most parties.” Last week, Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman ath-Thani had revealed that Doha was about to assess its mediation between Israel and the Hamas Movement, which may have been prompted by the fact that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is not actively dealing with the negotiations mediated by Cairo and Doha to reach a ceasefire and a prisoner swap deal… (Read More)

Sudan

Politics

“Sudanese crisis: Multiple reasons behind obstruction of Jeddah track” [Part 1-2] (Newspaper, Middle East)

Arab Diplomacy - Monarchies/Dictatorships - Peace Process

On April 23, the Qatari-owned London-based Al-Araby al-Jadeed newspaper carried the following report from Cairo: “After American Envoy to Sudan Tom Perriello had announced that his country was looking forward to the resumption of the Sudanese negotiations in Saudi Arabia on April 18, the day passed without the official announcement of the return of both sides of the conflict (the army and the Rapid Support Forces) to the Jeddah Platform… At this level, a prominent Sudanese diplomat in his country’s mission to the United Nations spoke to Al-Araby al-Jadeed on condition of anonymity about the reasons behind the non-resumption of the Jeddah Platform meetings, saying: “The Sudanese government and the Transitional Sovereignty Council both insisted that the Emirates not play a role as a mediator after there was an inclination to include regional sides in the talks, some of which involved in supporting the insurgents… (Read More)

Syria

Politics

“Did Al-Assad receive American signs to remove him from the Iranian orbit?” (Newspaper, Middle East)

Monarchies/Dictatorships - USA Europe

On April 23, the London-based Al-Arab daily newspaper carried the following report: “The statement by Syrian President, Bashar al-Assad, on encounters taking place “every now and then” with the United States, fueled the speculations on Washington having possibly opened channels of communication with Al-Assad to remove him from the Iranian orbit since this is a necessary preface to rehabilitate his regime on the regional and international levels after more than a decade of diplomatic seclusion. Al-Assad wouldn’t have alluded to his encounters with the Americans in light of the present escalation between Iran and Israel had he not wanted to send a message indicating that he is willing to move away from Iran and humor the American and Israeli anti-Iran mood by moving his regime away from Tehran… (Read More)

Turkey

Politics

“On Turkey’s changing positions toward Hamas, Gaza” (Website, Middle East)

On April 22, the Egyptian Arabi 21 news site carried the following opinion piece by Said el-Haj: “For the first time since the beginning of the offensive on Gaza, a public and official meeting was held between Hamas Politburo Chief Isma’il Haniyah and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul upon an official invitation from the latter. The meeting first draws its importance from the fact that it was public, seeing as how it is likely that one or more meetings were held between the two men without them officially being announced at the time. It also draws its importance from its context, following the latest Turkish positions toward the Israeli offensive on Gaza and the statements that preceded and followed it on both sides… When announcing the visit/hosting, the Turkish president again described Hamas as a resistance movement, not a terrorist organization… (Read More)

Co-Founder: Nicholas Noe

Address any queries to:

info@mideastwire.com