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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.



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Today’s Snapshot
  • Iraq
    • A politician close to armed factions claims Washington is blocking ministerial nominees and threatening sanctions over resistance to the September 30 disarmament deadline. (Al-Mada)
    • Najaf’s religious authority reportedly backed Maliki’s opposition to four deputy premierships; one party had already spent approximately $5 million furnishing an office. (Al-Mada)

 

  • Lebanon
    • Diplomatic sources report renewed pressure in Washington to remove army commander Haykal, whom Israel considers uncooperative. (Ad-Diyyar)
    • Sources say Ambassador Issa’s Zawtar visit exposed doubts about Washington’s pilot security project amid continuing Israeli operations and unanswered demands for reconstruction and protection. (En-Nashra)
    • Amal MPs refused to withdraw confidence from Salam’s government, exposing differences with Hezbollah; resurfacing Daoud Daoud portraits recall their bloody rivalry. (Al-Khaleej Online)

 

  • Yemen / Saudi Arabia
    • Interior Minister Haidan alleges IRGC experts are developing missile, drone and guided-boat infrastructure around Bab al-Mandab following Houthi territorial gains. Security readiness has increased in Aden and Lahj. (Asharq al-Awsat)
    • Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry says military action against the Houthis is not currently under consideration, despite collective-defense commitments to Saudi Arabia. (Al-Arab)

 

  • Palestine
    • Abbas is selecting National Council representatives through contested elite committees, while Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Dahlan’s current plan a legislative electoral alliance. (Al-Akhbar)
    • Sources say slain Rafah commander Nael Abu Obeid helped plan Gilad Shalit’s capture and oversaw the “Shadow Unit” responsible for guarding captured Israeli soldiers. (Anadolu)
TODAY’S DAILY BRIEFING
17-Sep-2026
Iraq
Politics
"Silence over “Maliki’s control” of government posts threatens a revolt against traditional Shi'i leaders"  (Al-Mada, Iraq)   
Democracy and Party Politics
On September 17, the independent Al-Mada newspaper carried the following report from Baghdad by its correspondent Tamim al-Hassan: The past week was supposed to be the week for completing the government. But the week ended, and Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi did not present his nine new ministers to Parliament. Instead, the Shiite coalition opted for what can only be described as "temporary silence." There were no announced meetings, no political escalation, and no clear new date for filling the vacancies. Even the regular meeting of the Coordination Framework, which is usually held almost every Monday, did not take place in what was supposed to be a decisive week… (Read More)
"Iraq: Time hasn't come yet for sovereignty"  (Website, Middle East)
Military and Security - USA Europe
On September 17, the privately owned Asas Media website carried the following report by Hassan Fahes: After months of talk about restricting weapons to the state, Iraq appears to be facing a postponed sovereignty test, one where internal calculations intertwine with the power struggle between Washington and Tehran. Between the withdrawal of US forces and the pressure from armed factions, Baghdad is still searching for a formula that will allow it to implement its decisions without disrupting its political and security balance… (Read More)
Jordan
Politics
"Jordan: Calls to fill “demographic vacuum” in Jordan Valley..."  (Al-Quds al-Arabi, United Kingdom)
Human Rights - Military and Security - Monarchies/Dictatorships
On September 16, the Qatari-owned London-based Al-Quds al-Arabi daily carried the following report by its Amman Office Chief Bassam Bdareen: Concerns persist in Amman regarding Israel’s practices in the Jordan Valley, particularly following its announcement of military exercises between Eilat and Wadi Araba. This comes amidst escalating discussions about Jordan’s “demographic vacuum” and its dangers, as well as Tel Aviv’s plans to alter the demographic composition in favor of settlers… (Read More)
Lebanon
Politics
"Issa visit to Zawtar failed to achieve objectives: Washington inspected contradictions of project in South"  (Website, Middle East)   
USA Europe
On September 17, the Lebanese privately-owned En-Nashra news site carried the following exclusive report by its correspondent Muhammad Allouch: US Ambassador Michel Issa's visit to Zawtar al-Gharbiya did not achieve the success Washington had hoped for. The visit, intended to convey an American message to southern Lebanon and allow the ambassador to inspect one of the pilot areas the US is banking on as a potential model for expansion, was marred by poor organization and a flawed approach to the local environment. Instead of promoting the project Issa came to inspect, it raised questions about the American approach to southern Lebanon… (Read More)
"Images of Daoud Daoud return to south Lebanon: Beginning of the split in the Shi'i duo?"  (Website, Middle East)   
Military and Security
On September 17, the electronic Al-Khaleej Online daily newspaper carried the following report: The image of the late Amal Movement leader, Daoud Daoud, has resurfaced in southern Lebanon at a political juncture where the relationship between Amal and Hezbollah appears to be facing a new test… (Read More)
Middle East
Opinion
"The goal of controlling Bab el-Mandeb from the Portugese to the Iranians"  (Al-Quds al-Arabi, United Kingdom)
Military and Security
On September 17, the Qatari-owned London-based Al-Quds al-Arabi daily carried the following opinion piece by Yemeni writer Mohamed Jamih: Bab el-Mandeb, or "the Gate of Tears," is the strait that connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, and from there to the Arabian Sea and the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Many stories and legends have been woven around it and the reasons for its name. However, the words "Mandab" and "tears" belong to the same semantic field in Arabic: weeping and lamenting for the departed, perhaps lost at sea or as a result of the numerous conflicts that erupted for control of the strait. This was due to its importance for maritime trade routes between ancient civilizations in India and East Asia, Egypt and East Africa, and the Roman Empire—an importance it retains to this day… (Read More)
Politics
"...Renewed pressure in Washington to get rid of Haykal"  (Ad-Diyyar, Lebanon)
Arab Diplomacy - Military and Security - Peace Process - USA Europe
On September 17, the Ad-Diyyar daily newspaper carried the following report: As direct negotiations with Israel entered a state of near collapse, Israeli officials escalated their criticism of the Lebanese army, in a campaign also joined by a number of Lebanese politicians eager to instigate a clash between the army and Hezbollah. While their intentions are transparent, the question remains: what is the reason behind Israel's timing in renewing its attack on the military establishment?… (Read More)
"Pakistani confusion: The Mecca Alliance is defensive but without war"  (Newspaper, Middle East)
Military and Security - Monarchies/Dictatorships
On September 17, the London-based Al-Arab daily newspaper carried the following report: The Houthi escalation against Saudi Arabia is putting the Mecca Defense Agreement between Riyadh, Islamabad, and Ankara to its first real test, while simultaneously revealing ambiguity in Pakistan's position regarding the commitment the agreement is supposed to provide. While Islamabad asserts that the agreement is based on collective deterrence and the defense of the three countries, it avoids specifying the nature of the assistance it could offer Saudi Arabia if the attacks continue, stating that the activation mechanisms fall under operational and security details that countries typically do not disclose… (Read More)
Palestine
Politics
"Appointed "National Council": Abbas engineers the elections in plain sight"  (Al-Akhbar Lebanon, Lebanon)   
Monarchies/Dictatorships
On September 17, the Al-Akhbar daily newspaper carried the following report: On the eve of the Palestinian legislative elections scheduled for November 28, which are highly doubtful about whether they will be held on time, the head of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, continues his attempts to tailor the elections to his authority, while simultaneously seeking to meet Western demands, particularly European ones, to carry out “structural reforms” within the Palestinian institutions, which have been suffering for many years from the expiration of their legal terms, and to stop the rampant corruption within them, in the context of preparing the Authority to play a larger political role in the future - especially in the Gaza Strip - if Israel agrees to its entry into it… (Read More)
"From capturing Shalit to commanding Rafah Brigade: Who is Nael Abu Obeid?"  (Website, Middle East)
Military and Security
On September 16, the Arabic page of the official Turkish Anadolu News Agency carried the following report from Gaza by its correspondent Ramzi Mahmud: He joined the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades in 1993 and rose through the ranks from commanding the Yabna Battalion to leading the Rafah Brigade and becoming a member of the General Military Council… (Read More)
Yemen
Opinion
"Yemen's fall paves the way for a new security balance in the region?"  (Website, Middle East)
Military and Security
On September 17, the privately owned Asas Media website carried the following piece by Khayrallah Khayrallah: Through the Houthis, Iran is drawing a new political and security map for the region in light of the fall of Yemen following the entry of the Ansar Allah group into Mocha and the deployment of its fighters on several islands, from which they can disrupt navigation in the Red Sea. Iran is no longer confined to northern Yemen. Through the Houthis, it has also established a presence in the central and southern regions… (Read More)
Politics
"Yemeni Interior Minister talks to Asharq al-Awsat..."  (Asharq al-Awsat, United Kingdom)
Military and Security
On September 16, the Saudi-owned London-based Asharq al-Awsat newspaper carried the following report from Riyadh by its correspondent Abdul Hadi Habtoor: Yemeni Interior Minister Major General Ibrahim Haidan warned of Iranian efforts to transform the Bab al-Mandab Strait and its surrounding islands and coastlines into a long-term military sphere of influence. He stated that this would be achieved by transferring the expertise in "militarizing maritime routes" that Tehran developed in the Strait of Hormuz to the Red Sea. He revealed that experts from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps are working to develop the capabilities of the Houthis and build fortifications, operations rooms, and facilities related to missiles, drones, and guided boats… (Read More)
 
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