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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.

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Today’s Snapshot

Egypt–UAE

Egypt is resisting UAE-backed efforts to facilitate Palestinian displacement from Gaza, viewing the plan as a threat to national security. Tensions are rising as the UAE reportedly mobilizes Gaza-based actors to support the scheme (Al-Akhbar).

Iraq

Sunni political factions are forming four major alliances to restore their influence in Parliament ahead of the October elections. Analysts expect fragmented results, potentially weakening Sunni unity (Arabi 21).

Lebanon

The Lebanese Army is quietly expanding control in Hezbollah-dominated areas, seizing weapons and resisting local backlash. Successful implementation of ceasefire terms may unlock international aid (Nidaa al-Watan).
Tripoli’s fragile stability is threatened by Syrian spillover and economic despair, though local leaders stress growing public awareness against renewed sectarian strife (Al-Araby al-Jadeed).

Saudi–UAE Rivalry

Relations deteriorate as Riyadh and Abu Dhabi compete for US favor, pledging massive investments. UAE reportedly undermined Saudi influence in Yemen and lost ground in Sudan and Syria (Al-Akhbar).

Palestine

Hamas executed alleged spies after Israeli assassinations of its leaders. Israel reportedly exploited ceasefire intelligence gaps to target field commanders (Asharq al-Awsat).

Yemen

A Houthi delegation visited Cairo to receive US messages via Egyptian mediation, aimed at de-escalating Red Sea tensions linked to the Gaza war (Al-Araby al-Jadeed).

TODAY’S DAILY BRIEFING

28-Mar-2025

Egypt

Politics

“Egyptian dissatisfaction with the Emirati pressure: Mobilizing agents to serve displacement” (Al-Akhbar Lebanon, Lebanon)

Arab Diplomacy - Monarchies/Dictatorships

On March 28, the Al-Akhbar daily newspaper carried the following report: “The UAE is still pushing the US-Israeli plan to displace the people of the Gaza Territory, while Egypt seeks to thwart this plan, which it considers a threat to its national security. In contrast to Qatar's support for Egypt's positions, the Emirati intelligence contacts are ongoing with several parties to promote the displacement idea, which was not met with “Jordanian opposition.” This, according to UAE officials, “could lead to an indirect clash” between Cairo and Abu Dhabi… (Read More)

Iraq

Politics

“Four alliances seeking to restore Sunni size in Iraqi Parliament: What are their chances?” (Website, Middle East)

Democracy and Party Politics

On March 26, the Egyptian Arabi 21 news site carried the following report by its correspondent Walid al-Khazraji: “With the upcoming Iraqi parliamentary elections in October growing closer, Sunni political forces are trying to rearrange their cards in order to restore their true size inside Parliament, after the decline they experienced in previous terms. The political scene is thus witnessing intensive efforts to form strong alliances, amid competition over the leadership of the Sunni component and securing as many seats as possible in the capital Baghdad, and in mainly Sunni governorates, whose political roles were affected by the invasion of ISIL organization in 2014. According to an exclusive Iraqi political source, the last meeting held by the Sunni leaders on Tuesday, at the invitation of Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, resulted in a series of points agreed upon by all to preserve the unity and cohesion of the Sunni component and avoid risking its future due to political disagreements… (Read More)

Lebanon

Politics

“The Party is upset…” (Newspaper, Middle East)

Military and Security

On March 28, the privately-owned Nidaa al-Watan daily newspaper carried the following piece by Antoine Mrad: “…Available pieces if information indicate that the Lebanese Army is missing no opportunity to consolidate its grip on the southern regions, from the Litani River to the border, confiscating large quantities of weapons and ammunition by seizing warehouses, hideouts, and caves. Estimates suggest that the army has so far confiscated more than half of the quantities supposedly located in these areas without any publicity or fanfare. In other regions, particularly the Bekaa and the eastern slopes of the Western Mountain Range, the army's activity has been somewhat slower, given its focus on the south and some border areas. However, the army does not hesitate to take the initiative when it comes across any quantity of equipment, particularly medium and heavy [weapons], belonging to any party… (Read More)

“Concerns in Lebanese Jabal Mohsen, Bab at-Tabbaneh, toward Syrian repercussions” (Newspaper, Middle East)

Military and Security - Religion

On March 26, the Qatari-owned London-based Al-Araby al-Jadeed newspaper carried the following report from Tripoli by its correspondent Rita aj-Jammal: “Tensions are prevailing over parts of North Lebanon due to the ongoing exodus seen from the Syrian coastal areas due to the frail security situation in them. At this level, most of the inhabitants of Tripoli are not concealing their concerns toward the potential effects of the developments in Syria on parts of North Lebanon, especially the inhabitants of Jabal Mohsen (mostly Alawites) and the Sunni Bab at-Tabbaneh, in light of the historical conflict between the two areas and the bloody rounds of fighting that took place in the past against the backdrop of the positions toward Syria’s interferences, and then the eruption of the Syrian revolution in 2011…… (Read More)

Middle East

Politics

“The return of the Saudi-Emirati conflict…” (Al-Akhbar Lebanon, Lebanon)

Arab Diplomacy - Financial Markets - Monarchies/Dictatorships - USA Europe

On March 28, the Al-Akhbar daily newspaper carried the following report: “The Saudi-Emirati relations have never before reached this level of deterioration, expressed in an open war between supporters of the two countries’ regimes on social media. Efforts were made to remove this conflict from the public sphere under the headline of preventing strife, but these efforts failed… (Read More)

Palestine

Politics

“Sources: Hamas executed “spies” after repeated assassination of leaders” (Asharq al-Awsat, United Kingdom)

Military and Security

On March 27, the Saudi-owned London-based Asharq al-Awsat newspaper carried the following report from Gaza: “Since Israel resumed the war on the Gaza Strip on March 18, the Hamas Movement has received major blows represented by the assassination of leaders with various ranks. Sources from the movement, who spoke to Asharq al-Awsat on condition of anonymity, said that Hamas consequently held so-called “revolutionary trials” for some of those arrested in areas where the leaders of the movement and other factions were bombed and assassinated, revealing: “Indeed, some of those who involvement in spying activities was confirmed were executed, at a time when the investigations are still ongoing with others.” However, the sources did not reveal the number of those who were executed, though they confirmed that Hamas was affected by the assassinations on the “political, military, and governmental levels. And since the targeting escalated, stricter security measures were adopted”…… (Read More)

Sudan

Politics

“Challenges after liberation of Khartoum: Sudanese experts warn against repetition of mistakes” (Website, Middle East)

Military and Security

On March 27, the Egyptian Arabi 21 news site carried the following report from London: “Sudanese political activist and researcher in [international] relations Yasser Youssef… discussed the challenges facing Sudan after the liberation of the capital Khartoum from the Rapid Support Forces [RSF]. And he confirmed that the coming phase required the handling of the root causes of the crisis, planning for a comprehensive reconstruction process, and launching a political dialogue that ensures stability and prevents the repetition of past mistakes. Yasser Youssef described the liberation of Khartoum from the Rapid Support Forces as a significant development in the course of the war that broke out in April 2023, insisting that this step opened the door for the return of the legitimate government to the historical capital, thus strengthening the chances of launching a comprehensive political process… (Read More)

“Civil war looms in South Sudan after the arrest of the vice president” (Newspaper, Middle East)

Military and Security - Monarchies/Dictatorships - Unrest

On March 28, the London-based Al-Arab daily newspaper carried the following report: “South Sudan's political crisis has been further complicated by the arrest of Vice President, Riek Machar. This follows a recent sharp escalation in political and security tensions amid fears that the country's peace agreement could collapse and plunge into civil war, potentially with far-reaching regional repercussions. The situation in Sudan has also been turbulent, with Uganda's involvement in the conflict in South Sudan by deploying special forces to the capital, Juba, two weeks ago…… (Read More)

Syria

Opinion

“Syria between Western demands, Israel’s objectives!” (Al-Quds al-Arabi, United Kingdom)

Arab Diplomacy - Military and Security - Monarchies/Dictatorships - USA Europe

On March 28, the Qatari-owned London-based Al-Quds al-Arabi daily carried the following lead editorial: “Several media sources confirmed that Natasha Franceschi, the US deputy assistant secretary for Syria, presented a list of demands to Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad ash-Shaibani on the sidelines of the Syria donors conference in Brussels on March 18. This was considered the first direct high-level contact between Damascus and Washington since American President Donald Trump assumed his post. The list of US demands included the destruction of the remaining stocks of chemical weapons in Syria, the authorities’ non-appointment of “foreign fighters” in high positions, the non-establishment of relations with Hamas or the Islamic Jihad, and the classification of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization… (Read More)

Politics

“US-Syria meeting in Brussels: Terms of reference for easing the sanctions” (Website, Middle East)

Military and Security - USA Europe

On March 28, the privately owned Asas Media website carried the following report by Ibrahim Rayhan: “…Two days ago, it was revealed that the first meeting took place between officials from the administration of US President Donald Trump and officials from the new Syrian administration, led by Foreign Minister, Asaad al-Shibani. A US State Department official explained to Asas that the meeting was held in the Belgian capital, Brussels, on March 18, between Natasha Franceschi, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Levant Affairs, Minister Al-Shibani, and the accompanying delegation, on the sidelines of the Syria Donor Conference… (Read More)

“…SDF-Damascus: An agreement on paper” (Al-Akhbar Lebanon, Lebanon)

Democracy and Party Politics - Military and Security

On March 28, the Al-Akhbar daily newspaper carried the following report: “The March 10 agreement signed between the new Syrian administration and the SDF is facing challenges that could disrupt or delay its implementation since the fate of the agreement depends on the regional and international transformations in association with the Syrian file, as well as the ability of the Damascus government to gain the trust of the International Community… The immediate indicators imply that the agreement, which calls for merging the Self-Administration’s civil and military institutions in the framework of the Syrian State, would not have been signed if it weren’t for the US-Western pressure…… (Read More)

Yemen

Politics

“Exclusive: Houthi delegation visited Cairo on Wednesday to receive American messages” (Newspaper, Middle East)

Military and Security - Monarchies/Dictatorships - USA Europe

On March 27, the Qatari-owned London-based Al-Araby al-Jadeed newspaper carried the following report from Cairo: “Al-Araby al-Jadeed learned that a delegation from the Houthi group visited Cairo yesterday on Wednesday and met with Egyptian officials in the General Intelligence Apparatus, based on an Egyptian invitation to the movement’s command to discuss de-escalation in the region. At this level, Al-Araby al-Jadeed learned that American messages to the Houthis were conveyed through Egypt during the visit, in an attempt to put an end to the military escalation in the Red Sea, which has significantly harmed global trade. The Egyptian talks with the Houthi delegation in Cairo fall in the context of Egypt’s efforts to develop a comprehensive plan that ensures de-escalation in the region, puts an end to the ongoing conflict, and leads to an agreement in Gaza that halts the Israeli aggression, which has been ongoing for 18 months… (Read More)

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