Freedom’s Voice

Colleagues,

I’m always in awe over what you do under exceptionally difficult circumstances. Our editorial team leans into each and every challenge.

This week’s material includes wide-ranging Sudan coverage (Aya and Rasha with support from Ezat and Yousef); fine reporting on Iraqi elections (Ghassan, Dalshad, Karim, Yousef); and terrific work on Emirati and Turkish competition for postwar roles in Gaza (Rami, and also Ali).

We have Randa on how the U.S.-backed India–Middle East–Europe Corridor challenges China’s Belt and Road Initiative. This, while Gulf states balance U.S. security guarantees with Chinese tech and energy partnerships (Ringo, Karim).

We have Joe this week on how AI is reshaping electoral behavior and democratic participation — world-wide.

Hassouna investigates Muammar Gaddafi’s missing billions. Vast wealth remains trapped decades later in a web of legal, political, and financial disputes spanning 37 banks across multiple continents.

We’re still on Sufism and how it serves as a moral and social defense against extremism in West Africa (Khalid, Omar). Radical Islam knows no borders.

We’re on Qatar’s soft power (Houda). And Iranian hard power.

Iran, Israel, Syria — and America

Our exclusive reporting uncovers Tehran’s development of Khorramshahr-4 and Sejjil-3 missiles. With Chinese, North Korean, and Russian components, they have a range of up to 3,000 miles. Opposition sources claim there are now launch platforms near Iran’s Iraq and Gulf borders. That means intercontinental missile systems will soon be able to reach even deeper into Europe (they’re already capable of striking southeastern bits of the continent).

We’re covering Israel politics. Yehia with Sam’s support digs into the new controversial death penalty bill.

And Syria. More than a dozen sites and multiple social media platforms shared Alhurra’s video featuring the sister of a university student who lost her life in the attack on a bus traveling on Damascus–Suwayda highway. We report on sectarian strife and the human side of things.

The two sisters were traveling together by bus when the attack occurred on October 28. It’s unclear whether the shooters were Bedouins or members of the central government’s security services (Damascus denies involvement). Two people were killed. Eleven passengers were injured. Thanks, Chams, for bringing the story to my attention.

Aya and Cairo lead Ahmed Elfki dive into the Zohran Mamdani story. The progressivism of New York’s incoming mayor resonates in some Arab circles and sharply divides at the same time others, including key Arab-American communities.

There are different ways to tell the American story. I’m taken by Lara’s digital photography project that explores everyday American landscapes. In our area that’s history and storytelling around Chesapeake Bay watermen, DC’s Big Flea & Antiques Market, and railroads turned hiking trails in Virginia. Culture is part of our mix.

Across the Company

My thanks to Leila, Abed, Matt (Christian, and Alina) for tirelessly driving MBN’s editorial agenda forward.

Each and every step forward involves countless details. Thanks to Mahmoud for accommodating new product design changes and for his collaboration with Mohamed Jad on new product visuals.

My thanks always to Anne, Deirdre, Billy, and Lesia (plus the HR team of Hadeel, Leila and Kamal) for keeping legal, ops, and HR running smoothly. It’s harder than you might think, all of this. It’s both the hours and attitude. We’re striving for an organizational culture of service. Thanks to Z, Ed, and Mary for managing our Springfield facility.

Deirdre, Billy, and I have looked so far at more than a half dozen options for our move in first quarter 2026. We’ll be closer to the funder, in less expensive, fit-for-purpose space.

Our finance team is small, hard-working, and efficient. My thanks to Raji, Margaret, and Abby for the submission of our audit last week. The MBN board will meet soon to discuss the report with our auditors.

Which brings me to a new, key addition. I’m delighted to welcome this week Michael Cox, who joins us as deputy CFO. It’s a role we’ve needed filled for some time and we’ve finally found the right person. I’ll introduce Michael at our next town hall meeting. Let’s plan that for the week of November 17. We’ll discuss budget, the 2026 move — and our new editorial strategy. We’re pushing ahead!

I’m aware help is needed on the support side in editorial. The plate has been full, the tempo prestissimo. Help is coming. Look for news next week.

Editorial Vision and Strategy

You’ll meet Kristina Dell at our next town hall meeting. Reporting to me, Kristina is new, part-time, and multi-tasking. She joined us last month. Kristina’s been at work on a slide deck that captures our editorial vision and strategy. We’re refining and have a huddle up with members of our board next week. It’s exciting to see how things have been coming together.

In next steps, we’ll work toward closer alignment of content with our editorial strategy. We’ll do a little less in quantity in this next phase, with sharper focus and drive toward even higher journalistic standards.

We’re absolutely determined to be the single best source of information connecting the United States and the Middle East. Our mantra: You cannot understand what the U.S. is doing and thinking about the Middle East without MBN. That’s foundational. The fuller picture?

• The new MBN is Arabic language, but at the same time an increasingly multilingual, digital-first media platform. We provide original news, analysis and perspectives about the Middle East and America’s approach to it.
• Our primary platform is com (Arabic Language), complemented by growing English-language newsletter, events and social media presence.
• Our target audience? Decision-makers along with a new generation of influencers and influentials in politics and policy, business, culture, education, and media.
• Our audience demographic: It’s first and foremost key capitals, including Riyadh, Jerusalem, Beirut, Cairo, Damascus, and Baghdad.
• Our conviction: People in the Middle East and North Africa deserve access to real news without propaganda. A new generation is seeking original, factual reporting with viewpoints few outlets in the region provide.

Here’s our push. We’re shifting from “on the news” to “behind the news.” We’ll provide a deep understanding of the U.S. and its policies. We report from and on Israel as no Arab channel can.

We align with broad U.S. foreign policy goals. In this vein, we serve as a vital counterweight to the disinformation pushed by China, Iran and Russia. Min’s China Influence Tracker — coming soon — and Andres’s newsletter (Iran Briefing) are significant additions to our suite of products.

Simply put, MBN is America’s story. MBN is freedom’s voice.

There will be no hectoring or lecturing. That’s not part of our DNA. We’re after a two-way conversation that creates a relationship with our audience.

Trust and striving for truth lie at the heart of all this. It’s harder than many think. But you know as well as I do, credibility is key to real and sustainable impact.

You’re striving.

I’m inspired.

Gratefully, Jeff