Mideastwire.com

WHAT WE DO

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

04-Jan-2017

Iraq

Politics

“Nouri al-Maliki: We are ready to help Syria against ISIL once occupied regions are liberated” (Website, Middle East)

Religion - Terrorism

On January 2, the Iranian Tasnim news agency carried the following report on its Arabic page: “Iraqi Vice President Nouri al-Maliki assured: “If we liberate the occupied regions and the Syrian brothers need help, we are willing to provide such help,” wondering: “Why would we not offer assistance in the face of ISIL?” Regarding Popular Mobilization’s presence in Syria after the liberation of the Iraqi territories from ISIL, Al-Maliki said during a press conference held in the Iranian capital Tehran today on Monday: “We thank God that Syria has secured accomplishments, and that Popular Mobilization and the Iraqi forces are proceeding with the military operations in Mosul…” Regarding Saudi Arabia’s support of the terrorist groups, Al-Maliki assured: “I have repeatedly said that Saudi Arabia is considered to be the source of terrorism, and that terrorism is drawing its roots from that country… (Read More)

“Baghdad explosions, terrorism or political messages?” (Al-Quds al-Arabi, United Kingdom)

Terrorism

On January 4, the Qatari-owned Al-Quds al-Arabi daily carried the following report by its correspondent in Baghdad Mustafa al-Obeidi: “The current security collapse seen in the Iraqi capital has raised questions surrounding the sides standing behind it and the objectives they wish to achieve, amid strong doubts that it was prompted by the political motives of influential powers on the Iraqi scene. At this level, sources close to the Shi’i National Alliance said that the security collapse in Baghdad these days, which featured the detonation of booby-trapped cars, kidnappings, theft and others, coincided with the escalation of the tone of the political discourse adopted by the forces fighting over power, in order to create a state of dissatisfaction towards the security and governmental bodies, leading to the replacement of the governmental figures… (Read More)

Israel

Opinion

“The alternative for the two-state solution” (Al-Jarida, Kuwait)

Peace Process - USA Europe

On January 4, the independent Al-Jarida newspaper carried the following opinion piece by Saleh al-Qallab: “In his last speech on the Palestinian cause and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, US Secretary of State John Kerry categorically said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s policies towards this cause pointed to the possible end of the “two-state solution,” if it is not already over. And naturally, if these speculations are true, the alternative would be the “one-state solution,” i.e. the state of Israel from the sea to the river, and over the entire historical land of Palestine, except for the Gaza Strip… What John Kerry did not address however, maybe intentionally, is the consequence of the elimination of the two-state solution, knowing that Netanyahu – to whose neck the anti-corruption sword has grown close – and whoever succeeds to him believe that the alternative to that would be “annexation… (Read More)

Jordan

Opinion

“Jordan, an “Iranian belt” instead of the “Shi’i crescent”” (Al-Quds al-Arabi, United Kingdom)

Military and Security

On January 4, the Qatari-owned Al-Quds al-Arabi daily carried the following opinion piece by its Amman Office Chief Bassam Bdareen: “If Jordan is participating with the Coalition in striking them – i.e. ISIL organization – in Raqqa, why does it not strike them in the Yarmouk River basin, just one kilometre away from Jordanian soil? This is the question that came to mind when the Jordanian citizens heard their Chief of Staff General Mahmoud Freihat announcing that the pro-ISIL Khaled ibn al-Walid Brigade, which is adopting the organization’s ideology, is positioned with its tanks just 1,000 meters away… Naturally, General Freihat’s interview with the BBC was extremely important, and was the main topic of conversation between the Jordanians throughout last week. However, the opportunity is ripe to register the following remarks… (Read More)

Lebanon

Opinion

“Aoun in Riyadh: Mere optimism” (Newspaper, Middle East)

Arab Diplomacy - Democracy and Party Politics

On January 4, the Lebanese privately-owned Al-Joumhouria newspaper carried the following opinion piece by As’ad Bechara: “President of the Republic General Michel Aoun is preparing to visit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Gulf States, knowing he will visit Syria and Iran at a later stage. President Aoun’s visit to Saudi Arabia comes after a long period of coldness and closed doors, which persisted until before the president’s election, mainly due to Aoun’s full alliance with Hezbollah, Iran and the Syrian regime. But today, the Kingdom is trying to take in the results of Aoun’s election by opening the closed doors and hearing what the man has to say… And regardless of the program of the visit, and whether or not Prime Minister Sa’d al-Hariri will be present in the Kingdom…, Al-Hariri’s angels and his partner in Aoun’s election, i.e. Dr. Samir Geagea, will be… (Read More)

Politics

“A technical, one year extension for the MPs?” (Al-Akhbar Lebanon, Lebanon)

Democracy and Party Politics - Energy

On January 4, the Al-Akhbar daily newspaper carried the following report: “…Will the parliament see yet another extension of its term for a full year? Some political forces have started to pave the way for such a decision considering that this will be a technical extension in order to “prepare the administrations and the people” for the implementation of a new parliamentary law based on the mixed system (the majority and the proportionality system)… (Read More)

“Hezbollah: What’s for Syria is for Syria; and what’s for Lebanon is for Lebanon” (Website, Middle East)

Arab Diplomacy - Military and Security - Peace Process

On January 4, the electronic Al-Modon daily newspaper carried the following report by Munir al-Rabih: “Hezbollah is maintaining its priorities and concerns. Syria is the main issue; and all the political and non-political efforts are focused there. The Party is reassured with respect to the developments in Lebanon and also with respect to the launching of the economic wheel, which is a source of concern for the people, months into the political crisis. This has been achieved by containing the security situation and shielding Lebanon from the regional repercussions in addition to politically distancing the country from the crisis in the region. At this point, the Party expresses its satisfaction with the performance of PM Sa’d al-Hariri especially as he abstained from linking the internal developments to the regional situation… (Read More)

Palestine

Opinion

“Federalism is a solution for Gaza and the West Bank: In response to Mousa Abu Marzook” (Website, Middle East)

Democracy and Party Politics - Peace Process

On January 3, the electronic Rai al-Youm daily newspaper carried the following piece by Fayez Abou Shamaleh: “The Palestinian politicians attacked Mr. Mousa Abu Marzook, the Hamas movement official, like hyenas attack their prey. Fangs tore off his suggestion concerning a federalism between Gaza and West Bank but no one tried to face the deep facts that ascertain that the state of Gaza is indeed completely separated from the administrative state of the West Bank and that there is no connection between the two regions on the economic, organizational or daily livelihood levels except for the media outlets that do put the two areas together when mentioning the occupied lands… (Read More)

Politics

“Dahlan puts on the face of the resistance; and Hamas takes a step away from him” (Al-Akhbar Lebanon, Lebanon)

Democracy and Party Politics

On January 4, the Al-Akhbar daily newspaper carried the following report: “…During the last meeting between the head of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, and the head of the Hamas movement’s politburo, Khaled Mashal, and his deputy, Ismail Haniyeh, in Qatar, the fired Fatah official, Mohammad Dahlan, was the main subject of discussion. The Hamas leadership had not expected its rapprochement with Dahlan in Gaza to have such a powerful effect on Abbas who complained against the facilitations that the movement is providing to Dahlan at the Gaza territory and for allowing his supporters to stage protests against him [i.e. against Abbas] in addition to releasing some of his supporters from the Hamas prisons… (Read More)

Syria

Opinion

“The Trump Administration and the possible transformations at the level of the U.S. politics” (Al-Watan Syria, Syria)

Military and Security - Terrorism - USA Europe

On January 4, the pro-Syrian regime Al-Watan daily carried the following piece by Tahsin Halabi: “…The victory of the allies (Syria, Iran, the Federal Russia, and Hezbollah) at the war against takfiri terrorism in Aleppo will transfer the situation in Syria as well as Iraq and the Middle East to a phase where more countries and forces will be joining these allies to form one wide front to cleanse the region from all the armed terrorist groups and to isolate anyone who is supporting them either publicly or secretly… (Read More)

“MBs at the essence of the Turkish offer to Russia…” (Website, Middle East)

Peace Process

On January 3, the electronic Rai al-Youm daily carried the following piece by Kamal Khalaf: “The circles of the Syrian opposition these days are in a state of waiting for the political settlement negotiations based on the agreement between the three sides, Moscow, Ankara and Tehran, and the efforts that are being made to organize these negotiations in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan… (Read More)

Politics

“Media spokesman of Syrian Muslim Brotherhood talks to Al-Quds al-Arabi…” (Al-Quds al-Arabi, United Kingdom)

Military and Security

On January 4, the Qatari-owned Al-Quds al-Arabi daily carried the following report by its correspondent in Istanbul Mustafa Muhammad: “Media Spokesman for the Muslim Brotherhood group in Syria Omar Meshwah said that the negotiations process in Ankara was incomplete, that the group perceived what happened with concern, and that it conveyed this sentiment in a statement headlined “What comes after Aleppo?” which it had addressed to the factions’ leaders on December 26. In that statement, the group had called on the factions’ leaders not to negotiate, whether directly or indirectly with the enemy, except to achieve the goals of the revolution. He continued to Al-Quds al-Arabi over the phone: “The concerns we voiced were later confirmed, when loopholes in the agreement signed by the opposition factions with Russia started to emerge. And it turned out that the Russians had played a dirty game… (Read More)

Co-Founder: Nicholas Noe

Address any queries to:

info@mideastwire.com