The hottest Middle East Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top World Politics Topics

Egypt’s War Against the World’s Oldest Christian Monastery

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 959 implied HN points • 17 Aug 25
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Middle East
  1. St. Catherine's Monastery is the oldest Christian monastery in the world and has been a place of worship for over 1,500 years. It's located in the Sinai desert and has deep historical significance.
  2. Recently, an Egyptian court ruled that the monks at the monastery are only 'occupants' and not in full control, which puts the monastery's future in danger.
  3. This situation reflects a larger issue of how Egypt's government treats its Christian population, indicating ongoing struggles for religious freedom.

Two Groups At War, and Both Are Marginalized People

Design Mom • 2358 implied HN points • 13 Oct 23
🌍 World Politics Middle East
  1. The conflict in Israel involves two marginalized groups: Hamas is not all Palestinians, Israeli government is not all Israelis.
  2. Support for Israel doesn't mean wanting genocide, support for Free Palestine doesn't mean supporting Hamas' goal of destroying Israel through jihad.
  3. Understanding and discussing the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict involves considering marginalized perspectives and calling for peace.

Hamas Murdered Their Son. What Do They Think of the Ceasefire?

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 3134 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
🌍 World Politics Middle East
  1. Three women were recently released after being held hostage by Hamas for 15 months, marking the start of a ceasefire. This exchange includes bringing back some Israeli captives in return for Palestinian prisoners.
  2. Hersh Goldberg-Polin, a young Israeli man, was taken by Hamas during an attack at a music festival where many were killed. His fate was uncertain for a long time, which caused great distress to his family.
  3. The ongoing situation involves deep emotions, with the families of the hostages expressing their feelings about ceasefires and the impact on their loved ones. They seek answers and hope for peace in a troubled region.

All eyes on Iran

Taipology • 88 implied HN points • 14 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Middle East
  1. The protests are largely driven by economic collapse — a plunging currency and sudden subsidy cuts left many Iranians bankrupt, so the unrest is as much about bread-and-butter issues as anything else.
  2. There are two very different narratives: one paints mainly peaceful protesters being crushed, while other on-the-ground reports show violent attacks, possible foreign meddling, and widely shared images that are often misattributed or misleading.
  3. Toppling the regime could make things worse given regional history, and the domestic opposition currently lacks a clear, credible plan to seize and govern power, so caution and high standards of evidence are needed before backing outside intervention.
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Israeli Spying After Epstein

The Corbett Report • 19 implied HN points • 22 Feb 26
🌍 World Politics Middle East
  1. Jeffrey Epstein acted as a fixer for Israeli interests, using his network to connect Israeli officials and ex-intelligence figures with wealthy investors and foreign governments to secure contracts and influence. He helped promote projects like Carbyne and other Israeli tech into international deals.
  2. Many veterans of Israel’s Unit 8200 have founded tech and spyware companies that embed intelligence capabilities into emergency services, communications, and surveillance tools. This trend shows espionage shifting from old-fashioned honeytrap blackmail to software backdoors and mass digital surveillance.
  3. Despite scandals and some sanctions, governments and investors continue to buy, back, or relax restrictions on Israeli-linked surveillance firms, allowing the spyware industry to expand and become a central tool for modern influence and control.

The Fall of Assad and What Comes Next in Syria

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 3612 implied HN points • 08 Dec 24
🌍 World Politics Middle East
  1. Bashar al-Assad, the dictator of Syria, has been overthrown after 24 years in power. This change is seen as a major event for the modern Middle East.
  2. Despite the cheers for his fall, there are concerns about the new leaders. Some of the rebel groups that took over were previously linked to more extreme factions like al-Qaeda.
  3. The departure of Assad raises questions about the future of Syria. It is uncertain if the new power dynamics will be better or worse for the country's people.

Blood Feud

imetatronink • 1926 implied HN points • 13 Nov 23
🌍 World Politics Middle East
  1. The conflict in the Holy Land is deeply rooted and complex, potentially leading to a 'Blood Feud.'
  2. Proposed solutions like a Two-State Solution and Pre-1967 Borders are widely debated.
  3. Israel's military strength may face challenges in a significant conflict involving global powers.

Imminent Bomber Attack

Black Mountain Analysis • 1159 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Middle East
  1. American B1 Lancer bombers en route to Middle East for strike missions against militias linked to Iran.
  2. Public announcement of bombers' departure and objectives implies a desire to minimize escalation by allowing Iranians time to prepare.
  3. Discussion thread open to share thoughts on anticipated attack, potential targets, and possible consequences.

The Hostage Deal Is the Price of Israel’s Failures

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 3046 implied HN points • 15 Jan 25
🌍 World Politics Middle East
  1. Israel is close to making a deal with Hamas to release captives. The first step involves freeing 33 hostages, including children and the elderly.
  2. The deal has three phases that could lead to the end of the conflict, but each phase relies on the success of the previous one.
  3. If the deal works, it will bring mixed feelings in Israel, with joy for the hostages' return but also anger and disappointment about the circumstances.

The Hamas Mafia

Diane Francis • 1738 implied HN points • 27 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Middle East
  1. Hamas leaders live a lavish lifestyle far from the conflict, while they exploit the people of Gaza for their own wealth. They collect taxes on smuggled goods and skim donations meant for the needy.
  2. The unemployment rate in Gaza is extremely high, and most people live in poverty. Despite winning elections in 2007, Hamas has not delivered on promises of better living conditions, but instead, they persist in conflict.
  3. Hamas operates like a criminal organization, focusing on financial gain through warfare and corruption. Their actions harm the very people they claim to represent, and the global community needs to take action against these corrupt regimes.

Michael Oren: The Wisdom of Yahya Sinwar

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 950 implied HN points • 04 Aug 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Middle East
  1. Antisemitism today includes extreme accusations against Jews, claiming they commit terrible acts like genocide, which the author believes are untrue.
  2. The author argues that the idea of genocide is not supported by evidence, as Israel does not have a plan to exterminate Palestinians.
  3. The charge of genocide against Israel resonates in the West, partly because of political rhetoric and some Jewish voices contributing to the narrative.

"Blind Imperial Arrogance," by Edward Said

Pen>Sword • 1278 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Middle East
  1. Imperial power is not just about military might, but also about imposing a perspective on distant lands and people, leading to conflicts between rulers and the ruled.
  2. American strategic interests in the Middle East have historically focused on securing oil supplies and supporting Israel, shaping its policies and perspectives in the region.
  3. The Orientalist view has perpetuated a denial of Arab self-determination, portraying them as incapable and fundamentally violent, contributing to ongoing turmoil in the Middle East.

Haviv Rettig Gur Joins The Free Press

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1029 implied HN points • 21 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Middle East
  1. Haviv Rettig Gur is joining The Free Press as a Middle East analyst, bringing his deep knowledge from years of reporting on the region. His insights will help readers understand complex issues in the Middle East.
  2. He will host live Q&A sessions where subscribers can ask questions about ordinary Israeli citizens and their perspectives on the current conflict. This aims to deepen the understanding of Israeli public opinion beyond just political leaders.
  3. His background includes extensive reporting on Israel’s politics and relationships, making him a valuable resource for comprehending the ongoing challenges in the region.

INSIDE TRUMP AND NETANYAHU’S MEETING ON IRAN

Seymour Hersh • 29 implied HN points • 19 Feb 26
🌍 World Politics Middle East
  1. Benjamin Netanyahu made a hurried, urgent trip to Washington to meet President Trump on February 11, arriving without his wife as a sign of urgency.
  2. Israeli officials believe Iran smuggled as much as 440 kilograms of uranium enriched to about 60% into tunnels under the Isfahan nuclear site before US B-2 bombers struck three main facilities last June.
  3. The meeting put further attacks on Iran and even discussions of regime change on the table, with Netanyahu framing his position in moral terms drawn from Genesis.

Is It Possible To Stay Sane on Israel/Gaza?

Castalia • 419 implied HN points • 10 May 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Middle East
  1. It's tough to find a balanced view on the Israel-Palestine conflict with so much chaos happening. Both sides have strong feelings, but finding common ground is really important.
  2. Terms like 'colonialism' and 'genocide' are used differently by different people, which can confuse discussions. Understanding the exact meanings behind these words is key to clearer conversations.
  3. Thinking about all the suffering in Gaza and the political arguments can be really overwhelming. It's important to take a step back, breathe, and try to view things from all sides to stay sane.

Trump’s “help” offers Iranians far more pain

Aaron Mate • 106 implied HN points • 14 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Middle East
  1. Trump's 'help' to Iranians looks like threats of bombing and harsher economic pressure, not lifting sanctions, which would deepen suffering and raise costs more broadly.
  2. Longstanding US sanctions have crippled Iran's economy, shrinking the middle class and driving people into poverty, which helped spark the current protests over basic hardship and mismanagement.
  3. US and Israeli policy appears aimed at exploiting unrest to justify further military action and influence, risking more violence and leaving ordinary Iranians to absorb the pain.

The New Issue Of JOHNSTONE: This Is Israel

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 1085 implied HN points • 05 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Middle East
  1. Israel's current actions aren't just about its leaders; they stem from a long history of foundational ideologies that promote a certain type of nationalism and militarism.
  2. The recent behaviors and policies of Israel are seen as a continuation of its historical narrative, not a temporary deviation caused by specific politicians.
  3. Challenging the mainstream narratives about Israel and its actions is essential because it could lead to a better understanding of the complexities involved in its history.

Only 3% Of Jewish Israelis Think Trump's Ethnic Cleansing Plan For Gaza Is Immoral

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2440 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Middle East
  1. A small percentage, only 3%, of Jewish Israelis view Trump's plan for Gaza as immoral. This highlights a significant difference in perspectives regarding morality in relation to political actions.
  2. A majority of Jewish Israelis support the controversial plan to relocate the Palestinian population from Gaza. This reflects a broader societal attitude towards Palestinians, where many see them as less deserving of rights.
  3. This lack of empathy and understanding has consequences that extend beyond politics, affecting social values and perceptions within Israeli society. It suggests a deep-seated issue of moral awareness that influences various aspects of life.

I Write About Israel All The Time Because I Have To, Not Because I Want To

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2267 implied HN points • 17 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Middle East
  1. The situation in Gaza includes severe human rights violations and reports of torture. It's really troubling and many people feel compelled to speak out about it.
  2. Critics of Israel's actions often face accusations of antisemitism, which confuses the discussion about the state's actions with issues related to all Jewish people.
  3. Many people are frustrated with the political leaders who seem to support harmful actions against vulnerable populations, and it's important to hold them accountable regardless of their party.

Matti Friedman: After the Bombs

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1131 implied HN points • 22 Jun 25
🌍 World Politics Middle East
  1. Recent U.S. Air Force attacks have created a sense of significant change in the Middle East. People feel hopeful that these actions might help stabilize the region.
  2. There's a belief that successfully damaging Iran's nuclear program could bring freedom to its people and potentially impact the wider Middle East.
  3. Many see this moment as a potential turning point for millions in the region and for those watching globally.

The Meaning of Kfir Bibas

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2179 implied HN points • 19 Feb 25
🌍 World Politics Middle East
  1. Kfir Bibas, a baby taken by Hamas, represents the core of the conflict and highlights its tragic consequences.
  2. Yarden Bibas was released after a long time in captivity, but his family has faced immense loss and grief.
  3. Hamas claims to be returning the bodies of Kfir and his family, marking a painful end to their ordeal.

Thoughts On The Ceasefire Deal

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2514 implied HN points • 16 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Middle East
  1. Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire deal that takes effect soon, but there's been violence leading up to it. This makes the situation very dangerous for people in Gaza right now.
  2. Trump's team played a key role in this ceasefire, and some believe that his victory is actually better for Gaza than Biden's administration, which didn't act decisively to stop the violence.
  3. There's a glimmer of hope that the ongoing suffering in Gaza might finally be easing, but the overall fight for peace and justice is far from over. People are allowing themselves to feel hope, even if it's challenging.

At the Symbol of Israeli Science, a Cost Too Vast to Calculate

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1043 implied HN points • 30 Jun 25
🌍 World Politics Middle East
  1. A recent war with Iran caused a lot of destruction in Israel, with missiles hitting cities and research facilities. Many people were injured, and some were killed, highlighting the human cost of conflict.
  2. The Weizmann Institute, a key research center in Israel, suffered significant damage. This loss not only destroyed physical buildings but also years of valuable research that could have helped treat diseases like cancer.
  3. The devastation from the conflict shows how hard it is to measure the true cost of war. While some numbers can be counted, many personal stories and long-term impacts are much deeper and harder to assess.

Join Me In Supporting the Palestine Action Hunger Strike!

The Chris Hedges Report • 195 implied HN points • 06 Dec 25
🌍 World Politics Middle East
  1. Demand the Palestine Action hunger strikers be released from jail on bail. Supporters are calling for immediate bail and freedom for those on hunger strike.
  2. Push to repeal laws and acts that criminalize dissent. The campaign argues these laws are used to punish peaceful political protest.
  3. Mobilize public support by sharing information, joining actions, and backing grassroots pressure. Collective public pressure is presented as the way to free the prisoners and defend the right to protest.

Iran is not Iraq

Razib Khan's Unsupervised Learning • 1035 implied HN points • 26 Jun 25
🌍 World Politics Middle East
  1. Iran has a much larger population than Iraq, with almost 90 million people, making it a significant nation in terms of demographic power.
  2. The historical roots of Iran as a nation-state are much deeper than those of Iraq, linking back to ancient civilizations and diverse ethnic groups that continue to shape its culture today.
  3. The future of Iran could see major changes, especially if the current regime collapses, but the nation itself is likely to endure due to its strong historical foundations.

Don't Negotiate with Terrorists

Heterodox STEM • 71 implied HN points • 20 Jan 26
🌐 International Middle East
  1. Long negotiations with Iran have failed and allowed the regime to advance its nuclear program and carry out violent attacks. Treating such actors as negotiable partners has not produced security or reform.
  2. U.S. political leadership has been compromised by personal interests, corruption, and strategic deals, which leads to weak or inconsistent responses to threats. Those influences discourage decisive action even when national security is at stake.
  3. Many foreign-policy elites are guided by optimistic ideological models that downplay militant Islam and treat all conflicts as solvable by diplomacy. That worldview blinds policymakers to real risks and makes them stick with failing approaches instead of reassessing strategy.

King Netanyahu

Diane Francis • 819 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Middle East
  1. Tensions are rising in Israel because of its actions in Gaza. Many worry about the impact on civilians and refugee situations.
  2. There is a significant disagreement between Israelis and global opinion on the future peace solution. Most Israelis oppose a two-state solution.
  3. Many Israelis feel disillusioned with Netanyahu's leadership and are leaving the country. Some feel unsafe or unrepresented due to his government’s actions and policies.

Iran War Open Thread and Subscriber Video (2026)

The Corbett Report • 8 implied HN points • 28 Feb 26
🌍 World Politics Middle East
  1. An open thread is soliciting crowd-sourced, boots-on-the-ground information and updates about the recent strike on Iran and the ongoing responses.
  2. Members are urged to share vetted local press reports, intelligence, and analysis about deep state roles and likely next moves, with top contributions possibly used in a podcast.
  3. There is a subscriber-only video featuring Chinese Lunar New Year in Vietnam and a membership call-to-action with help offered for signing in or subscribing.

A note on the ridiculous 2026 "National Defense Strategy"

Michael Tracey • 70 implied HN points • 24 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Middle East
  1. It claims a pivot to "realism" but actually calls for expanding the U.S. military footprint worldwide — new bases near China, more access in Greenland and Panama, deeper Middle East involvement, and more presence in Europe and Africa.
  2. The rhetoric rejects past regime change and nation-building, yet the plan and recent actions empower allies, enable interventions (e.g., Venezuela and Gaza), and push a wartime-scale boost in military production.
  3. These strategy papers largely package presidential impulses as official doctrine, so U.S. priorities end up being whatever the president decides rather than a coherent, constrained strategy.

The Last Days of Gaza

The Chris Hedges Report • 1109 implied HN points • 09 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Middle East
  1. Many people in Gaza are suffering greatly, lacking basic needs like food, water, and medicine. The situation has become extremely desperate and dangerous for everyone there.
  2. Some actions being taken appear to manipulate and control the starving population instead of genuinely helping them. This is compared to historical instances of mass suffering and deception.
  3. The ongoing tragedy in Gaza is causing deep scars that will not easily be forgotten. People may later try to rewrite history to avoid facing their roles in the situation.

Will Trump Bomb Iran (Part 2)?

Phillips’s Newsletter • 90 implied HN points • 15 Jan 26
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Middle East
  1. A prior prediction that Trump would not bomb Iran turned out to be wrong.
  2. His decision to strike Iran and how he reacted then serve as useful indicators of what he might do in the future.
  3. He's likely to attack again if he believes he can get an easy win, and concerns about his political base didn't stop the earlier strike.

Assad Is Out, Woke Al-Qaeda Is In

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2686 implied HN points • 08 Dec 24
🌍 World Politics Middle East
  1. The Syrian government led by Assad is being replaced, likely by groups supported by the U.S. This shows a shift in power dynamics in the region.
  2. Al-Qaeda has been rebranded as a more 'woke' group, with media portraying them in a softer light despite their violent past. This reflects a significant change in how such groups are viewed.
  3. The ongoing U.S. efforts in the area involve a long game strategy, suggesting that while current actions may not yield immediate results, they are part of a larger plan for eventual dominance.

Jordan And Egypt Snub Trump's Ethnic Cleansing Plan

Caitlin’s Newsletter • 2184 implied HN points • 28 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Middle East
  1. Jordan and Egypt have rejected a plan by Trump to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to their countries. Both nations emphasize their support for Palestinians staying on their land.
  2. There is concern that Trump may still attempt to pressure these nations into compliance with his plan. The resistance from Jordan and Egypt suggests significant challenges for achieving that goal.
  3. There is a critique of how political and media classes share similar views, limiting diverse perspectives and accountability regarding issues like the treatment of Palestinians.

Assad’s Fall Has Humiliated Washington

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2633 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Middle East
  1. Syria's recent change in leadership happened despite the efforts of the Biden administration, not because of them. Many believe the U.S. played a minor role in this shift.
  2. President Biden claims that the weakening of Assad's supporters like Iran and Russia is due to his policies, but many disagree with this view. There is a belief that these countries have lost power for other reasons.
  3. Israel's actions in the region have been more impactful than U.S. influence. Some argue that Israel took bold steps that went against what the U.S. wanted, contributing significantly to the change in Syria.

Revolution in Iran : Now and Then

Comment is Freed • 78 implied HN points • 16 Jan 26
🌍 World Politics Middle East
  1. Mass protests in Iran mirror the 1979 revolution, with widespread anger at a repressive, corrupt leadership and calls for the clerical rulers to step down.
  2. The current regime is more determined and willing to use violent repression than the Shah’s was, so the outcome of the uprising is uncertain and expectations should be cautious.
  3. Economic chaos and mismanagement are a key vulnerability for the regime that could make it more fragile despite its greater repressive capacity.