Martin Jay

Martin Jay is an award winning British journalist now based in Beirut who works on a freelance basis for a number of respected British newspapers as well as previously Al Jazeera and Deutsche Welle TV. Before Lebanon, he has worked in Africa and Europe for CNN, Euronews, CNBC, BBC, Sunday Times and Reuters. Follow him on Twitter @MartinRJay

Trump’s got mother of all migraines coming on; ISIS is back in Iraq Opinion
Just when Trump thought he was getting the hang of the Middle East, things start to get a tad complicated. Despite congratulating himself in Helsinki about defeating ISIS in Iraq, it seems that this was more of his own fake news.
Jul 26, 2018 16:24
Saudi Arabia has a new Qatar plan: MbS is going to dig himself out of a hole, which he made himself Opinion
Don’t laugh. Riyadh is going ahead with plans to dig a canal along its border with Qatar making it an island. But will the PR stunt distract media attention away from its own internal crisis, not to mention Qatar’s ‘independence’?
Jun 25, 2018 14:46
Scramble to help Iran making EU’s ‘foreign policy’ office look almost entirely useless Opinion
The EU’s own foreign policy, ran by Federica Mogherini, is looking more and more farcical by the day. Her efforts to save Iran’s economic demise are only making her own office look like it’s in its last days.
Jun 9, 2018 17:07
UN boss warns of ‘trouble’ at Palestinian camps in Lebanon, following Trump aid cut Opinion
A new reality is unravelling in the Middle East. Israel is more or less running Trump’s foreign policy there and part of the plan is to cut all aid to Palestinians in a bid to usher in a new conflict to eclipse a peace blueprint
May 30, 2018 16:47
Trump's Iran gamble won't topple regime, but could start ‘war’ with EU Opinion
Trump’s plans are not about starting a war with Iran but trying to bring about regime change by draining it financially. It’s a plan which is doomed to fail, and could also create a costly trade war with the EU.
May 10, 2018 16:35
Libya: New Gaddafi figure waits in the wings but says he has 'no time for democracy' Opinion
In Libya, a dominant military figure stands out as a possible new leader of a unified country – that is, of course, if he wins at the polls – or even if he doesn’t. But can the UN or the West even organize an election?
Feb 28, 2018 15:44
US carrot-and-stick policy to Lebanon could push it into abyss Opinion
Rex Tillerson’s visit to Beirut didn’t resolve Lebanon’s persistent war threat from Israel, or Hezbollah’s perceived threat to Washington. The US has its own agenda for this country, which is spooking Lebanon’s president.
Feb 19, 2018 01:20
Lebanon looks to Hezbollah to resolve internal clashes, as Israel’s war threats reach fever pitch Opinion
Lebanon is a pressure cooker which could blow at any moment, but don’t worry about confused US policy. Israel’s threats to invade are not irking the Lebanese, but many wish Hezbollah would end a local Shiite-Christian spat.
Feb 2, 2018 14:53
Sweeping Netanyahu corruption cases under the rug puts spotlight on western media bias Opinion
The Israeli PM has a corruption problem. Or does he? Recent allegations of graft seem to have been downplayed by western journalists who appear intent upon supporting him. Is there more to the allegations than is being reported?
Jan 26, 2018 04:07
US backing of SDF border guards could prolong Syria war for years Opinion
The US may think a new strategy backing the Kurds in Syria with 30,000 border guards will settle old scores. In fact, it might push Turkey’s relations with Russia beyond breaking point. And who exactly are these ‘new recruits’?
Jan 16, 2018 10:53

Martin Jay

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