Al Jazeera (MBN Passion, Purpose)

Dear Colleagues,

MBN cannot cede the field to Al Jazeera. “On-the-ground detail” with “academic credibility” and “global visibility.” That’s how leading AI chatbots now describe reporting from the Qatari-funded media company, notes Eliana Johnson of the Washington Free Beacon.

MBN cannot yield to the competitors, the rivals, and full-on adversaries. We’re up against Al Jazeera, BBC Arabic, France 24, Deutsche Welle, Sky News Arabia, Al Arabiya, the Kremlin’s RT Arabic — plus well-resourced Iranian and Chinese news outlets, all ramping up.

China spends billions on its global media and information operations. And while the exact figure is unknown, we do know this: The Middle East and North Africa are of growing interest to the commercially-minded, strategically-focused, and exceptionally patient and determined Communist Party in Beijing.

This simply cannot be a time for America to go small or go home. MBN is America’s only Arabic language voice in the Middle East. We report what others don’t. We reach millions across the region for a price less than the cost of a couple Apache helicopters. And we’re mission-driven.

In reference to Russia in Ukraine, President Trump posted on Truth Social this week:

When the people living in Moscow, and all of the Great Cities, Towns, and Districts all throughout Russia, find out what is really going on with this War, the fact that it’s almost impossible for them to get Gas through the long lines that are being formed, and all of the other things that are taking place in their War Economy, where most of their money is being spent on fighting Ukraine which has Great Spirit, and only getting better, Ukraine we be able to take back their Country. 

That’s exactly what RFE/RL, RFA, and MBN do across their respective regions. We get the word out so people “find out what is really going on.”

We’re working on a story on Al Jazeera. Last week, the lavishly funded media group announced significant senior-level changes. Nasser Bin Faisal al-Thani, who started with the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2013, has been named new director general. Qatari journalist Ahmad Alyafei, who served for the past seven years as managing director of the Al Jazeera Arabic channel has been appointed to the newly created post of director for all Al Jazeera channels. Issa Ali will direct Al Jazeera’s English channel going forward. Asef Hamidi will take over at the Al Jazeera Arabic. Former BBC journalist Ibrahim Helal is replacing veteran Salah Negm as head of news at Al Jazeera English.

What does all this mean?

Our colleague Abed notes suddenly a decrease in airtime dedicated to Gaza. There’s speculation that change at Al Jazeera may be linked to Israel’s September 9 attack on Hamas leaders sheltering in Doha. A strategic change in direction? Let’s see what Rami from our team uncovers. He’s speaking with sources here, in the region, and in Jerusalem.

We’re not Al Jazeera.

Nor are we carrion for vultures. Last spring, Iranian-backed militia in Iraq crowed about victory when they thought we were closing. We’re determined not to do the Chinese, Iranians, and Russians the favor.

At five years now, there’s concern about the future of the Abraham Accords. President Ahmed al-Sharaa is expressing doubt about Syria becoming a part. An independent South Yemen would on the other hand join the Accords and establish relations with Israel, anti-Houthi Yemeni officials announced this week.

Shall we really turn such a story over to the clerical regime in Tehran? The Iranians have increased their budget for media and information operations by fifty percent. MBN is a crucial weapon in America’s soft power arsenal.

Earlier this month, MBN board chair Ryan Crocker and I wrote to House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast and Ranking Member Gregory Meeks. We’ve contacted other important Congressional leaders as well. In each and every instance we emphasize:

• The MBN restructure that began a year ago with bureau reform and workforce reduction that saved the American taxpayer $20 million by streamlining operations.
• The transformation that continues, with an MBN committed to oversight and accountability and passionate about savings, efficiency, and effectiveness.
• The modernized, reimagined MBN that fully recognizes the rise of AI and the intense pace of technological change. We lean into change — and derive inspiration from adaptation!
• The bedrock responsibility we have to align MBN’s work with the broad foreign policy goals of the United States as articulated by Congress, the President, and the Secretary of State.
• The American taxpayer can be proud of the work MBN does. Since summer, we’ve launched new programs and devised a new, robust editorial strategy. In June, we were able to see once again how audiences flock to us in a crisis. Our numbers surged during the 12-day Israel-Iran war.

We observe it every day: MBN’s fact-based journalism counters anti-Americanism and represents a thorn in the side of American enemies. Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis detest us for a reason.

We’ll continue to seek counsel from our superb MBN board. We’ll continue to engage the Hill and the Administration.

We’ll keep looking to you for fresh ideas on how to improve our operations and develop our editorial work. We’ve just convened another small staff offsite together with board member Tom Melia.

We’ll continue our MBN young professionals program. Thanks Alina, Aya, and Ringo.

And for additional outreach, planning is in the works for fall programs at a prominent Washington think tank, the National Press Club, a private home in Georgetown, and the Line Hotel in Adams Morgan.

Thanks, dear colleagues. This week’s newsletter looks terrific. We’re tracking Turkey in Syria, Islamists in Sudan, the new Saudi defense pact with Pakistan. MBN strategies for creative China and Iran coverage with Min and Andres are exciting. And the new MBN digital magazine? We’re close to a launch. Thanks Leila, Abed, Matt, Christian, and crew. My tip of hat to all of you across the company.

Respect, Jeff