Mideastwire.com

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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 Snapshot

Algeria (Arabi 21)

President Tebboune’s visit to Bechar near Morocco, amid escalating Sahel tensions, signals internal power struggles with Army Chief Chengriha. Allegations of military drug smuggling networks suggest deep corruption hidden behind anti-Morocco rhetoric.

Egypt (Al-Arab, Asharq al-Awsat)

A coordinated Western media campaign against President Sisi hints at pressure over Gaza resettlement rejection and Egypt’s growing ties with China.
Egyptian officials firmly dismiss any possibility of reconciliation with the Muslim Brotherhood after Jordan’s crackdown, emphasizing broad popular hostility to the group.

Iran (Al-Quds al-Arabi)

Abbas Araghchi emerges as the new diplomatic "face" of Iran, seeking pragmatic engagement with the U.S., while Israel’s escalatory shadow war risks pushing the region into wider conflict.

Iraq (Al-Arab)

Iraq’s secretive outreach to Washington angers Tehran’s allies, highlighting Baghdad's attempt to balance U.S. ties while avoiding Iranian backlash before upcoming elections.

Lebanon (Asas Media, Nidaa al-Watan)

Berri frames Hezbollah’s weapons as a "negotiation card," while efforts are underway to dismantle Hamas’s military presence in refugee camps.

Palestine (Al-Quds al-Arabi)

New documents reveal France’s covert involvement in quietly relocating Gaza’s professionals to Europe, raising fears of a silent, organized displacement.

TODAY’S DAILY BRIEFING

25-Apr-2025

Algeria

Politics

"What lies behind Tebboune's visit to Bechar Province on the border with Morocco?" (Website, Middle East)

Arab Diplomacy - Monarchies/Dictatorships - Peace Process

On April 25, the Egyptian Arabi 21 news website carried the following report from Algiers and London: Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune visited the province of Bechar, near the Moroccan border, on Thursday. Officially described as a "working and inspection visit," the visit's timing and geographical location reignited political and media debate about the nature of the relationship between Algeria and Morocco and the domestic security and political context surrounding these moves… (Read More)

Egypt

Politics

"Western media targeting of Sisi: deliberate distortion or mere coincidence?" (Newspaper, Middle East)

Media - Monarchies/Dictatorships - USA Europe

On April 25, the London-based Al-Arab daily newspaper carried the following report: Cairo - Some Western media outlets have sparked political and popular controversy in Egypt after publishing reports aimed at distorting the image of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. This comes at a time of increasing regional tensions, with the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip and the lingering specter of resettling a portion of its population in Egypt, a prospect Cairo rejects… (Read More)

"Will the MB's dream of resuming activities in Egypt come to an end?" (Asharq al-Awsat, United Kingdom)

Military and Security - Monarchies/Dictatorships - Religion

On April 24, the Saudi-owned London-based Asharq al-Awsat newspaper carried the following report from Cairo by its correspondent Hisham al-Mayani: Following the Jordanian authorities' decision to dissolve and ban the Muslim Brotherhood, questions were raised about its impact on the group's status in Egypt. An official Egyptian source confirmed that "the Brotherhood organization has ended in the country, and there is no way for them to return. All talk of reconciliation with them is groundless."… (Read More)

Iran

Opinion

"Iranian-American negotiations: Araghchi the new face of Iran" (Al-Quds al-Arabi, United Kingdom)

Energy - Peace Process - United Nations - USA Europe

On April 25, the Qatari-owned London-based Al-Quds al-Arabi daily carried the following opinion piece by Lebanese writer Nada Hoteit: On television and in the media, the image of Imam Khomeini epitomized the face of revolutionary Iran. His image later became a symbol of the era of state-based Iran, while the image of military general Qassem Soleimani represented the face of resistance Iran… (Read More)

Iraq

Politics

"Surprise visit by the Iraqi foreign minister to Washington raises suspicions among Tehran's allies" (Newspaper, Middle East)

Arab Diplomacy - Democracy and Party Politics - USA Europe

On April 25, the London-based Al-Arab daily newspaper carried the following report: Baghdad – The government of Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani demonstrates a clear desire to increase communication and consultation with the administration of US President Donald Trump. This is aimed at ensuring stability in the relationship between Iraq and the United States during this sensitive period leading up to the country's crucial elections, and to avoid provoking problems with Washington over complex issues, including Baghdad's compliance with US sanctions on Tehran and the subsequent failure to renew the exceptional exemption granted to Iraq to import electricity and gas from Iran… (Read More)

Jordan

Politics

"Source to Asharq al-Awsat: Policies to contain "Islamic movement" no longer on the table" (Asharq al-Awsat, United Kingdom)

Military and Security - Monarchies/Dictatorships

On April 24, the Saudi-owned London-based Asharq al-Awsat newspaper carried the following report from Amman by its correspondent Mohammed Kheir ar-Rawashdeh: Following official decisions to dissolve and ban the Muslim Brotherhood, high-ranking Jordanian sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that "the policies adopted by previous governments and security officials to 'contain or appease' the Islamic movement (the Muslim Brotherhood and the Action Front Party) are no longer on the table."… (Read More)

Lebanon

Politics

"Birri to Asas: Weapons are one of our negotiation cards" (Website, Middle East)

Democracy and Party Politics - Military and Security

On April 25, the privately owned Asas Media website carried the following report: Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri's tone and expressions differ from those used by the party when discussing the expected dialogue between President Joseph Aoun and the party. Without a division of roles between the two Shiite parties, each approaches the fate of the weapons from a different perspective. While the party speaks in a tone of alarmism and treason, certain of its ability to intimidate by insisting on clinging to them and threatening anyone who touches them, Berri approaches it from the perspective of the state's position, which intersects with the president's. When the Speaker of Parliament is asked about his position on the dialogue advocated by Aoun, he expresses his support for it and expresses his satisfaction with the President's adherence to its specifications and conditions, and his careful deliberation in speaking about it and clarifying its implications… (Read More)

"No more Hamas" (Newspaper, Middle East)

Military and Security

On April 25, the privately-owned Nidaa al-Watan daily newspaper carried the following report by Assaad Bechara: The decision has been made, and there is no going back: no more Hamas in Lebanon. "Hamasland," which has transformed into a military and security entity parallel to the state within some Palestinian camps, no longer has a place on the Lebanese security map. The decision to dismantle it was taken at the highest levels, and its implementation is proceeding steadily, with the support of the Lebanese Army, which has begun dismantling the security and military infrastructure of Hamas and similar factions directly sponsored by Hezbollah… (Read More)

"The secrets of Ortagus's mockery of Jumblatt..." (Newspaper, Middle East)

Arab Diplomacy - USA Europe

On April 25, the privately-owned Nidaa al-Watan daily newspaper carried the following report by Alain Sarkis: Morgan Ortagus, the US Deputy Special Envoy to the Middle East, continues to voice hardline and controversial positions, even criticizing statements made by Lebanese figures. It was no surprise that Ortagus criticized a speech by Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem. Hezbollah has been an official enemy of Washington since the 1983 bombing of the Marine barracks in Beirut, and is listed on the US terrorism and sanctions list. Hezbollah, on the other hand, considers America the Great Satan and has built its strategy and ideology on hostility toward it… (Read More)

Palestine

Politics

"Ongoing displacement of Gaza population through Jordan, dubious details revealed on sponsoring states" (Al-Quds al-Arabi, United Kingdom)

Human Rights - Monarchies/Dictatorships - Refugees

On April 24, the Qatari-owned London-based Al-Quds al-Arabi daily carried the following report from Doha by its correspondent Suleiman Hajj Ibrahim: Reports continue to emerge from the besieged Gaza Strip regarding attempts by some countries to displace Palestinians from their land, with France entering the fray and discussing a transit corridor for the displaced through the Kerem Shalom crossing… (Read More)

Syria

Politics

"The Emirs' state" (Al-Akhbar Lebanon, Lebanon)

Arab Diplomacy - Democracy and Party Politics - Military and Security - USA Europe

On April 25, the Al-Akhbar daily newspaper carried the following report: A radical Islamic quasi-regime is steadily emerging in Syria today, embodying a blend of Wahhabi and Salafi-jihadist ideas, along with some of the Muslim Brotherhood's theories of governance. This is the bitter truth that everyone, Arabs and Westerners alike, avoids declaring, contenting themselves with loudly discussing it in backroom circles. This is despite the fact that the signs of the impending explosion are very clear, and its medium- and long-term consequences are extremely dangerous, and will not be limited to Syria alone… (Read More)

"Occupation of Al-Mantara Dam, Israel turns water into ammunition in unannounced war" (Newspaper, Middle East)

Human Rights - Military and Security

On April 25, the Qatari-owned London-based Al-Araby al-Jadeed newspaper carried the following report from Quneitra: In an abandoned village on the slopes of Mount Hermon, where the Syrian border meets the occupied Golan Heights, the sounds of water pumps operating can be heard day and night. Here, at the Mantara Dam, drops of water are transformed into ammunition in an undeclared war. "The water here is our blood, and the occupation is stealing it in front of the world," resident Ahmed al-Hafri told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed… (Read More)

Yemen

Politics

"What is impact of American sanctions, targeting of economic facilities, on Houthis?" (Asharq al-Awsat, United Kingdom)

Energy - Military and Security - USA Europe

On April 24, the Saudi-owned London-based Asharq al-Awsat newspaper carried the following report from Aden by its correspondent Waddah al-Jalil: The US military campaign against the Houthi group in Yemen coincides with intensified financial and economic pressure on the group. While military experts believe that Washington's targeting of Houthi economic facilities with airstrikes expands the tools of economic pressure and exacerbates the human and military losses suffered by the Iran-backed group, economists believe that the impact of financial and economic sanctions differs from the results of military pressure… (Read More)

Co-Founder: Nicholas Noe

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