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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

21-Feb-2020

Germany

Opinion

“Why are the attacks on the Muslims in Europe not considered terrorist ones?” (Al-Quds al-Arabi, United Kingdom)

Religion - Terrorism

On February 21, the Qatari-owned Al-Quds al-Arabi daily carried the following lead editorial: “Less than two days after the German authorities announced the arrest of a “far-right” group that was planning wide-scale terrorist attacks targeting the Muslims and their mosques in Germany, which the authorities described as “horrific plans,” a man influenced by Western xenophobic ideology staged two terrorist operations targeting two coffeeshops frequented by foreigners in Hanau City near Frankfurt. The armed attack carried out by the extremist resulted in nine dead and a number of wounded, in addition to the assailant himself. Indeed, he seems to have committed suicide after having killed his mother, who corpse was found next to his. The statements issued by the German authorities spoke about “elements supporting the xenophobic theory,” as per the Prosecution, seeing as how many of the victims were of Kurdish origins… (Read More)

Iraq

Politics

“Shi’i forces place Sunnis, Kurds before two choices…” (Al-Mada, Iraq)

Democracy and Party Politics

On February 20, the independent Al-Mada newspaper carried the following report from Baghdad: “A joint meeting held between Shi’i, Sunni and Kurdish blocs at Parliament Speaker Mohamed al-Halbousi’s home led to the formation of a miniature committee tasked to bring the viewpoints closer together and end the dispute between the various parties surrounding the next government. If the miniature committee fails, Parliament will proceed with giving the vote of confidence to Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi’s government on Monday, based on the principle of parliamentary majority. Fadi ash-Shamry, a leader in the Wisdom Movement, said in statements to Al-Mada: “The main point tackled by the meeting of the Shi’i, Sunni and Kurdish blocs was giving the vote of confidence to Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi’s government… (Read More)

Jordan

Politics

“What do the Sadiris want from Amman...?” (Website, Middle East)

Arab Diplomacy

On February 20, the Rai al-Youm daily newspaper carried the following report: “The new Saudi Ambassador to Jordan, Nayef bin Al-Sadiri, keeps touring the country’s institutions back and forth, in a clear attempt at covering for the lack of the bilateral activities between Al-Riyadh and Amman. He thus travels from the office of one minister to the other and from one executive institution to a legislative one as part of activities that are not supposed to fall within his mandate... Nevertheless, the Jordanian officials are warmly welcoming his visits and presence in the country… (Read More)

Lebanon

Opinion

“Why can’t Bahaa al-Hariri be the solution?” (Website, Middle East)

Democracy and Party Politics

On February 21, the Nohad al-Mashnouq owned Asas Media website carried the following piece by Qasem Youssef: “Sa’d al-Hariri is no longer good. There can’t be any adjusting of his performance or any changes to his actions, or any way to re-produce him. The man is over and is now part of the past by all means... The more important question is: What’s next...? What are the available Sunni options now? And who are Sa’d al-Hariri’s alternatives?… (Read More)

Politics

“...Diab hasn’t placed Damascus on his agenda of visits following American warnings...” (Ad-Diyyar, Lebanon)

Arab Diplomacy

On February 21, the Ad-Diyyar daily carried the following report: “...While the cabinet is trying to find a way out from the economic crisis that has been passed on for the last thirty years as per the terms used by PM Hassan Diab, questions remain unanswered regarding the cabinet’s external strategy. According to Arab diplomatic sources in Beirut, PM Hassan Diab has still not taken a step in the direction of the Syrian capital, Damascus, and he has still not placed Damascus on the agenda of his external visits in light of American warnings against the openness to the Syrian regime knowing that organizing the economic relations with Syria will provide Lebanon with an important economic “lung,” which will allow the country to overcome many of the difficulties it is currently experiencing. However, the USA is insisting on preventing Lebanon from carrying out any step that could allegedly help Damascus to open up to the external world… (Read More)

“Hezbollah no’s in the face of the IMF” (Liwaa, Lebanon)

Financial Markets - Military and Security

On February 19, the privately-owned Al-Liwaa newspaper carried the following report by Manal Zuaiter: “No political team in Lebanon has a clear vision for how to solve the financial and economic crisis. But Hezbollah, at least, seems to have limited its options to opening Lebanon’s doors to the aid of its Iranian, Russian and Syrian allies, which exclusive sources revealed to Al-Liwaa amounted to $15 billion “in cash and investments.” In parallel, Hezbollah informed the presidency and the premiership that it absolutely rejected any official cooperation with the International Monetary Fund, with the exception of the IMF’s consultation which it agreed to with reservations, under the ceiling of French guarantees to alleviate the conditions and vision of the IMF for the resolution of the crisis. In any case, the party voiced a number of “no’s” prior to the government’s decision to resort to the IMF. They are… (Read More)

Saudi Arabia

Opinion

“Al-Jubair and the Deutsche Welle standoff” (Okaz, Saudi Arabia)

Media

On Fberuary 21, the pro-monarchy Okaz newspaper carried the following opinion piece by Hamoud Abu Talib: “A couple of days ago, I wrote about the Information Ministry’s preparations for the G20 summit, and spoke in that context about the stereotyping affecting the Kingdom and its society as a result of past circumstances and events. This excessively and intentionally harmed its reputation and mental image, which is why we must use the latter important occasion that is attended by thousands of journalists and covered by all the global media outlets to refute all the false information about the Kingdom and present its numerous accomplishments. But due to the critical character of this mission, I said it should only be undertaken by those who boast adequate dialogue skills, convincing language that relies on proof and evidence, an understanding of the culture of the other and how to eliminate his misconceptions… (Read More)

Sudan

Politics

“Al-Burhan to Washington soon: No free “rewards”” (Al-Akhbar Lebanon, Lebanon)

Arab Diplomacy - Democracy and Party Politics

On February 21, the Al-Akhbar daily newspaper carried the following report: “The Chairman of the Sovereignty Council of Sudan, Abdul Fattah al-Burhan, will soon be flying to the US as an announcement has been made indicating that the measures for his trip have been completed “in response to an invitation” he received earlier this month from the US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, as per the Council’s statement. Al-Burhan will be meeting with the US President Donald Trump as the “US Administration has revised the Sudanese files” as per well informed sources. The local media is speaking about “massive incentives” that Washington will be presenting to Khartoum knowing that the former had sponsored the first normalization meeting between Al-Burhan and the Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu. The “incentives” will actually consist of “rewards” for the launching of the normalization with Israel and for “supporting the Middle Eastern alliance aimed at weakening Iran’s authority in the region.” On the other hand, the Trump Administration is expected to reveal, once and for all, what it wants from Sudan… (Read More)

Syria

Opinion

“Aleppo achieves victory and bubbles burst” (Al-Watan Syria, Syria)

Military and Security

On February 19, the state-controlled Al-Watan newspaper carried the following opinion piece by Mayssoun Youssef: “In a televised speech of less than 9 minutes, President Bashar al-Assad presented to the Syrians and the world the signs of victory and success in the face of the aggression targeting the state in Aleppo and Idlib and their surroundings. With the accuracy of the smart strategist and politician who has a deep understanding and clear perception of reality, the president conveyed the situation as is, and shed light on the importance of what happening in the North during the last three weeks, in terms of battles waged by the Syrian Arab Army in the countryside of Idlib and Aleppo, with the strategic purpose of fully liberating the entire Syrian soil and punishing the criminals who terrorized the safe Syrian civilians and military men working on securing their country following its liberation from terrorism… (Read More)

Politics

“Egyptian role at the level of the communications to restore Syria’s seat at the Arab League to the Al-Assad regime” (Newspaper, Middle East)

Arab Diplomacy

On February 20, the Al-Arabi al-Jadeed newspaper carried the following report: “At a time where the developments are speeding up at the level of the Syrian arena amidst the escalation of the military confrontation between the Russia and Iran supported regime forces on one hand and the armed factions on the other hand, Egyptian and Gulf sources revealed that the return of the Syrian regime to the Arab league is now imminent, nine years following the suspension of Syria’s membership as a result of the launching of the revolution in 2011… (Read More)

Yemen

Politics

“No Emirati pullout from Yemen...” (Al-Akhbar Lebanon, Lebanon)

Arab Diplomacy - Military and Security - Peace Process

On February 21, the Al-Akhbar daily newspaper carried the following report: “Despite its announcement, last week and for the second time in less than a year, on its pullout from the war on Yemen, the UAE is back to speeding up the military and political steps that serve its project in this country. These steps are being carried out by the Yemeni agents instead of the Emirati forces, an indirect strategy in the military action. Based on that, the decision making circles in Sanaa still believe that the Emirati pullout claims merely aim at throwing ashes in the eyes and actually consist of sound bombs aimed at shying away from the war repercussions and at shielding the Emirati depth, which is now threatened more than any time in the past in addition to breaking away from of the moral, political and legal responsibility in front of the international forums especially in light of the lawsuits filed by western law firms regarding Human Rights violations, assassinations, secret prisons, forced disappearances and torture in Yemen in general and the southern governorates in specific… (Read More)

Co-Founder: Nicholas Noe

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