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 DAILY BRIEFING

20-Feb-2025

Iraq

Politics

“As-Sadr’s reluctance to participate in 2025 elections increases “factions’ chances”” (Al-Mada, Iraq)

Democracy and Party Politics

On February 20, the independent Al-Mada newspaper carried the following report from Baghdad by its correspondent Tamim al-Hassan: “The news surrounding the potential “boycotting” of the upcoming legislative elections by the Sadrist Movement once again, seems comforting for many Shi’i powers and “factions,” some of which intend to compensate their losses in the 2021 election. So far, Leader of the Sadrist Movement Muqtada as-Sadr has not yet made up his mind about participating in the elections that ought to be held before the end of the year, at a time when the political conflict is escalating… A former Sadrist deputy told Al-Mada in this regard: “So far, there are no signs or instructions surrounding the movement’s participation in the next elections”… (Read More)

Lebanon

Politics

“The talk about conflicts within the Party and with Amal…” Part 1/2 (Website, Middle East)

Democracy and Party Politics

On February 20, the electronic Al-Modon daily newspaper carried the following report by Munir al-Rabih: “Is there really a split or conflict between wings within Hezbollah at this stage? Since the end of the Israeli war on Lebanon and the conclusion of the ceasefire agreement, there has been much talk about conflicts and differences in opinions and approaches within Hezbollah. Some of these are attributed to differences in opinions or conflicts within Iran as well. Much is also said about the difference in orientations between Hezbollah and the Amal Movement regarding the ceasefire agreement, knowing that the decision was taken with the consent of both parties… (Read More)

Middle East

Politics

“The Kurdistan Territory, a factor of regional stability…” (Newspaper, Middle East)

Military and Security - Monarchies/Dictatorships

On February 20, the London-based Al-Arab daily newspaper carried the following report: “The Kurdistan Territory offered to help in promoting the dialogue around reaching a solution between Syria’s Kurds and the new administration in Damascus. This step came right after the demand extended by the Turkish Kurdish leader, Abdullah Ocalan, through a letter he sent from prison to the Iraqi Kurdish leader, Massoud Barzani, to launch a mediation between Ankara and the Kurdish fighters with the aim of establishing a suitable atmosphere for a political dialogue that ends the decades-long ongoing conflict. This confirms the fact that the Kurdistan Territory has become an essential factor in regional stability… (Read More)

Palestine

Opinion

“Will the Arabs succeed in confronting “Trump’s plan”?” (Al-Quds al-Arabi, United Kingdom)

Arab Diplomacy - Monarchies/Dictatorships - Refugees - USA Europe

On February 20, the Qatari-owned London-based Al-Quds al-Arabi daily carried the following lead editorial: “Despite the misunderstanding, to which global media outlets contributed on February 11 (and for which Reuters apologized six days later), surrounding what the King of Jordan said during his meeting with US President Donald Trump, what was confirmed from the Arab message delivered by Abdullah II was that the governments of Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the Emirates will present during the miniature summit that will be held in Riyadh today, a comprehensive and detailed plan to rebuilt Gaza without displacing the Palestinians and that this alternative plan will be adopted during the urgent Arab summit that will be hosted by Cairo on March 4… (Read More)

Qatar

Politics

“Sheik Tamim in Iran: Looking for settlements exceeding Qatar’s capacities” (Newspaper, Middle East)

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

On February 20, the London-based Al-Arab daily newspaper carried the following report: “Through his visit to Iran, Qatar’s prince, Sheik Tamim Bin Hamad al-Thani, acted as if the world hasn’t witnessed many changes due to the Al-Aqsa Flood and the Gaza and Lebanon wars, and as if Qatar is still capable of carrying out mediations and settlements as it did during the term of former US President, Joe Biden… (Read More)

Saudi Arabia

Politics

“Did the Al-Riyadh talks fix the Russian-American relations?” (Website, Middle East)

Arab Diplomacy - Peace Process - USA Europe

On February 19, the electronic Al-Khaleej Online daily newspaper carried the following report: “The American-Russian relations went through ups and downs based on the circumstances and the requirements of the interests and goals. However, conflict has always prevailed over these relations since the end of World War II. The conflict areas between Russia and the United States stretch from Eastern Europe to the Middle East and Africa where the interests of the two states clash to different extents. However, Eastern Europe has occupied a crucial place in this conflict across history considering that it represents a vital extension of Russia in Europe… (Read More)

“Is Saudi Arabia inclined to close the prisoners’ file? A massive wave of releases” [Part 1-2] (Website, Middle East)

Human Rights - Monarchies/Dictatorships

On February 18, the Egyptian Arabi 21 news site carried the following report by its correspondent Sharif Omar: “In the last few days and weeks, the Saudi authorities released dozens of detainees, some of whom are well-known social media figures. The authorities released many detainees after their sentences were served, as well as others who had previously received harsh sentences of over thirty years in prison, but whose sentences were reduced by the judiciary in order to release them. Among those who stood out during this wave of releases were several Snapchat celebrities, including Mohammed al-Fawzan “Abu Noura,” his friend [Abu] Bajad al-Harf, and activist and businessman Mansour ar-Ruqeiba… Meanwhile, none of the released issued any comments since they were freed… (Read More)

Sudan

Politics

“What’s behind the major progress of the Sudanese army at the expense of the Rapid Support Forces?” (Website, Middle East)

Military and Security

On February 19, the electronic Al-Khaleej Online daily newspaper carried the following report: “The Sudanese army is proceeding with its dramatic progress at the expense of the Rapid Support Forces, achieving major victories in the field in a few weeks, in the capital Khartoum, Al-Jazeera State, and other areas that were strongholds of the rebel forces… The victories of the Sudanese army come as the Sudanese war is nearing its second year, and as the army has adopted a different tactic, based on offense, in light of the increasing regional support for the Sudanese army in the face of the Rapid Support Forces led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, Hemedti… (Read More)

“War in Khartoum: A chapter in the history of the conflict over the decision-making center” (Newspaper, Middle East)

Military and Security

On February 19, the Qatari-owned London-based Al-Araby al-Jadeed newspaper carried the following report from Khartoum by its correspondent Ayman Ibrahim: “When war broke out between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces on April 15, 2023, the cities were the most affected by the violent military operations during the first days. Khartoum, the capital where the confrontations erupted, turned into a military barrack, and its residents suddenly found themselves trapped by the fires. Eventually, the two sides of the war shared control over the three cities of the capital region, i.e. Khartoum, Bahri, and Omdurman, i.e. the so-called “capital triangle,” over which the Sudanese army is currently engaged in fierce battles to fully reclaim it from the grip of the Rapid Support Forces [RSF]… (Read More)

Syria

Politics

“How will Putin get rid of the Al-Assad nightmare?” (Website, Middle East)

Arab Diplomacy

On February 13, Samir Salha wrote the following piece in the privately-owned Asas Media website: “…It will be hard for the Russian-Syrian interaction to return to what it was. Moscow’s priority is to learn the outcome of the Russian bases in Syria and try to find a new political, security, and economic formula. Meanwhile, Damascus’ priority is to obtain many compromises from the Russian side to balance out its dialogue with the West and Washington specifically… (Read More)

“Kurdish leaders reveal details of decision to integrate Syrian Army” (Asharq al-Awsat, United Kingdom)

Democracy and Party Politics - Military and Security

On February 18, the Saudi-owned London-based Asharq al-Awsat newspaper carried the following report from Damascus by its correspondent Kamal Shikho: “Sources close to the Syrian Democratic Forces [SDF] stated that the announcement on Monday evening by the SDF leadership of the merger of its military and security institutions with the security institutions of the Autonomous Administration, in preparation for integrating the Syrian Army, was a serious step toward real negotiations with Damascus… Meanwhile, SDF General Commander Mazloum Abdi invited President Ahmed ash-Sharaa to visit areas under the control of his forces in northeastern Syria, congratulating him on assuming the presidency for the transitional period… On the other hand, the SDF General Command published the minutes of a tripartite meeting… (Read More)

Yemen

Politics

Yemeni information minister calls for arresting Houthi leaders in Lebanon (Website, Middle East)

Military and Security

On February 19, Yemeni Information Minister Moammar al-Eryani posted the following on his official page on X: “The fact that a group of leaders from the Iran-affiliated terrorist Houthi militia left Sana’a and headed to Beirut to attend the funeral of leader of the Hezbollah militia Hassan Nasrallah, and pledge loyalty and obedience to Iran, again confirms that their allegiance extends beyond the borders of Yemen, and that they are proceeding with the efforts to strengthen their ties with the Iranian project in the region at a time when the Yemeni people are continuing to suffer from the hardships of war, hunger, poverty, and disease, as a result of their destructive policies. We thus confirm that the movements of these terrorist leaders, who are closely connected to the wave of terrorist attacks on commercial ships and oil tankers, at this particular time, are not a mere participation in the funerals… (Read More)

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