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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
18-Mar-2024
Algeria
Politics
Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Morocco’s seizing of embassies  (Website, Middle East)
Arab Diplomacy - Monarchies/Dictatorships
On March 17, the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted the following statement on X (formerly Twitter): “The Kingdom of Morocco launched a new escalatory phase in its provocative and hostile behavior toward Algeria, as recently reflected by its project to seize the headquarters of the Algerian embassy in Morocco. Algeria confirms that this project is a blatant violation of the duty to protect the diplomatic representation offices of sovereign states, noting that this commitment is protected by international laws and customs. Hence, this Moroccan project, which goes against civilized international practices, blatantly violates the commitments stemming from the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which force Morocco to respect and protect the embassies present on its soil at all times and under any circumstances… (Read More)
Egypt
Business
“All the billions coming into Egypt: What is the cause?”  (Newspaper, Middle East)
Financial Markets - Monarchies/Dictatorships - USA Europe
On March 17, the Qatari-owned London-based Al-Araby al-Jadeed newspaper carried the following report by Mustafa Abdul Salam: “It has become quasi-certain that there is unprecedented regional and international backing being offered to Egypt’s economy, whether this year or in the coming three years and that no one expected to see such support a month ago, especially at the peak of the worst economic crisis in Egypt since 1991. Indeed, the UAE announced the pumping of $35 billion into the economy in the form of direct investments, including $24 billion from the Ras al-Hekma deal, and $11 billion that will be relinquished to the Egyptian Central Bank in exchange for Abu Dhabi getting cash funds in Egyptian pounds to be pumped into the project as investments. So far, $10 billion have already reached Egypt, and another $5 billion has been relinquished by the UAE to the Central Bank… (Read More)
Iraq
Politics
“As-Sadara bloc formation paves way for Al-Obeidi’s return to the political front in Iraq”  (Newspaper, Middle East)   
Democracy and Party Politics
On March 16, the Al-Arab daily newspaper carried the following report: “The formation of a new Sunni bloc under the name of As-Sadara and the leadership of the Iraqi Former Minister of Defense, Khaled al-Obeidi, is raising questions on who is behind this bloc, and whether this is an extension of the game of divisions within the Sunni body in the Iraqi parliament, or whether this rather aims at pushing Al-Obeidi as a candidate who has Iran’s support to overcome the heated inter-Sunni differences around the replacement of Mohammad al-Halbousi as the parliament speaker… (Read More)
Lebanon
Opinion
“The right moment for the Party and the opposition: A settlement that blocks the way for the Israeli war”  (Website, Middle East)
Military and Security - USA Europe
On March 17, the electronic Al-Modon daily newspaper carried the following piece by Munir al-Rabih: “The report published by Reuters on the encounter between the Hezbollah Secretary-General, Sayed Hassan Nasrallah, and the commander of the Al-Quds Unit, Esmail Qaani…speaks volume. The report reveals that both Iran and Hezbollah do not want war. An Iranian official is quoted as saying that escalation with Israel will come at a hefty price for Iran’s groups in the whole region. Nasrallah also reportedly informed Qaani that the Party doesn’t want to pull Iran into a war against America and Israel. He concludes that if the war is imposed on him, then he will fight it alone… (Read More)
Politics
“The Party: Aoun changed his mind…”  (Website, Middle East)   
Democracy and Party Politics - Military and Security
On March 16, the electronic Al-Modon daily newspaper carried the following report by Malak Akil: “…In his interview on Al-Manar, the representative of the Resistance Bloc, Hassan Fadlallah, tried to provide a positive image of the encounter between the bloc’s delegation with President Aoun at the latter’s place of residence in Rabyeh… However, Dahyeh’s diplomacy vis-à-vis the Mar Mikhael ally was not reverberated by President Aoun or PM Gibran Bassil… (Read More)
Palestine
Opinion
“Formation of Palestinian government and controversy surrounding it”  (Al-Quds al-Arabi, United Kingdom)
Democracy and Party Politics
On March 18, the Qatari-owned London-based Al-Quds al-Arabi newspaper carried the following lead editorial: “A few days ago, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas assigned Dr. Mohammad Mustafa to form the 19th Palestinian government, three weeks after the resignation of former Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh. Clearly, the main goal of the Palestinian government that is being formed is to deal with the internal and external political repercussions of the Israeli war on Gaza since October 7, noting that the designation letter said that the government’s objectives included the coordination of the efforts to rebuild Gaza, the reunification of the Palestinian institutions, the introduction of reforms to create a regime based on governance, transparency, and the fighting of corruption, and the launching of preparations for legislative and presidential elections across Palestine, including Jerusalem (and of course, Gaza)… (Read More)
Politics
“Hamas attacks Fatah to defend its part in ruling Gaza”  (Newspaper, Middle East)   
Democracy and Party Politics - Military and Security
On March 17, the London-based Al-Arab daily newspaper carried the following report: “Over the past hours, a major escalation occurred between Fatah and Hamas over the nomination of the new Prime Minister, Mohammad Moustafa, at a time when observers are saying that the escalation goes beyond Moustafa’s identity and that Hamas’ strong statement against Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, reveals the movement’s dismay over the fact that it was not included in the appointment process… (Read More)
“Egyptian contacts with tribes in the Gaza Strip”  (Newspaper, Middle East)
Arab Diplomacy - Military and Security - USA Europe
On March 18, the Qatari-owned London-based Al-Araby al-Jadeed newspaper carried the following report from Cairo: “Egyptian sources revealed to Al-Araby al-Jadeed that Cairo was engaged in contacts and actions with tribes in the Gaza Strip to “block the way before any Israeli attempts to unilaterally coordinate with them in regard to potential organizational issues for the future of the Strip.” They added that Cairo “is trying to hold all the strings when it comes to the Gaza Strip, in order to contain the attempts to reduce its influence following the American pier project that ought to be built on Gaza’s coast under the pretext of delivering aid.” So, an Egyptian source assured: “Cairo is engaged in contacts with the major Palestinian tribes in the Gaza Strip to coordinate the flow of aid and relief, and face the gangs phenomenon that is emerging in light of the retreating role of the Palestinian police and security bodies there… (Read More)
Sudan
Politics
“Al-Atta telling the truth in a sea of lies…”  (Newspaper, Middle East)
Military and Security
On March 16, the Sudanese Ar-Rakoba newspaper carried the following report by Yasser Araman: “In a moment of rare honesty, Lieutenant General Yasser al-Atta [Assistant Commander-in-Chief of the Sudan Armed Forces and member of the Sudanese Sovereignty Council] revealed in a speech today the real goals of this war and the intentions of those standing behind it, thus assuring it was never launched for the sake of dignity or the homeland, but because the Islamists, their followers, and their allies from among the senior officers, wanted to retake power. Yasser al-Atta’s statement was not new, except for those who had good intentions throughout the stages of the December revolution, and even after this war, thus working with the military and rushing to reach solutions with them despite the bitter experiences… (Read More)
Syria
Politics
“Sources to Al-Watan: Riyadh suggested as location of ninth round of Constitutional Committee”  (Al-Watan Syria, Syria)
Arab Diplomacy - Democracy and Party Politics - Monarchies/Dictatorships - Peace Process
On March 18, the state-controlled Al-Watan newspaper carried the following report by its correspondent Silva Razzouk: “Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Faisal Mekdad stressed the need for the United Nations to assume its responsibilities and stop the violation of Syrian sovereignty through the repeated Israel attacks on Syrian soil. Mekdad’s position was issued as he was receiving Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General for Syria Geir Pedersen. And according to a statement, a copy of which was received by Al-Watan, the meeting’s discussions revolved around the existing coordination between Syrian and the UN and the facilitations offered by the Syrian government to the United Nations and its offices in Syria, including the office of the special envoy… (Read More)
Tunisia
Politics
“Dispute within Salvation Front around candidate for presidential elections in Tunisia”  (Newspaper, Middle East)   
Democracy and Party Politics
On March 17, the London-based Al-Arab daily newspaper carried the following report: “Tunisian sources close to the National Salvation Front, which is headed by Ahmed Najib Chebbi and that includes the En-Nahda Movement and several small groups, said that differences are mounting within the front over the name of the candidate for the presidential elections scheduled to take place by the following October. Although the front has not yet voiced its position on participation in the elections, the sources said that the reigning opinion during the internal discussions is to participate and not allow the current President, Kais Saied, to obtain a comfortable result and pave his way to a new term… (Read More)
Yemen
Politics
“Did Al-Houthis attacks in the Red Sea abort the political solution in Yemen?”  (Website, Middle East)
Arab Diplomacy - Military and Security - Peace Process
On March 16, the electronic Al-Khaleej Online daily newspaper carried the following report: “It seems that the growing tension in the south of the Red Sea have caused additional dangerous repercussions not only due to their regional and international effect but also because they affected the peace and appeasement process in Yemen. The latest developments in the Red Sea reshuffled the cards in this country that has been living through a conflict for around one decade, knowing that the country was very close to the end of the negotiations that lasted months between Saudi Arabia, the sponsor of the Yemeni government on one hand, and the Iran-supported Houthis on the other hand. While the talks led to announcing a roadmap for peace and while everyone was waiting for the announcement of the first steps, the UN envoy to Yemen expressed his fear that the Yemeni issue would get complicated because of the war in Gaza. So did the situation reach a dead end?… (Read More)
 
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