Welcome back to the Friday Briefing, our pick of MBN’s best reporting on the Middle East and Washington.
There’s a different kind of confrontation playing out in the region that doesn’t dominate the headlines but will shape its future. The U.S. and China are facing off here over tech dominance, building commercial alliances and leveraging comparative strengths.
The fifth pillar of the MBN’s China Tracker looks squarely at who’s got the upper hand in the tech race. The U.S. deploys capital and AI. China has rare earth minerals, the best surveillance technology and doesn’t bother itself with the democratic niceties of its regional partners. Drawing on a wide range of data sources, the tracker is the one-stop shop for anyone curious who’s winning in the Mideast.
Also this week: The standoff with Iran continues with American naval vessels sailing the Persian Gulf and politicians and diplomats talking in Washington and Muscat. Inside Iran, we report on the government demanding that families pay to get the bodies of loved ones killed by the regime back for burial.
The Friday Briefing is also published in Arabic. If you were forwarded this newsletter, subscribe here. We’d love to hear from you at thebriefing@mbn-news.com.
This Week on MBN
China and the U.S. Vie for Digital Influence in the Gulf
China and the U.S. are competing to shape the Gulf’s digital future. Beijing is pushing cheaper tech like 5G, surveillance systems, and smart cities. The U.S., meanwhile, is betting big on artificial intelligence, backing massive data centers and AI projects. MBN China Tracker editors Jim Snyder and Paul Wang explain that for now, there’s no clear winner, and regional leaders are picking what works best for them.
Read the article here and watch the video here
MBN Iran Briefing:
Andres Ilves’ weekly reporting and understanding of what’s going on in Tehran and its impact on the wider world.
Oman Talks Loom as Trump Turns Up Pressure on Iran
The U.S. and Iran are preparing for another round of indirect talks in Oman, but the two sides remain far apart on what they want to discuss. President Trump has raised the pressure, warning that he could send another U.S. aircraft carrier to the region if Iran escalates. Observers tell Karim Kazem that Trump is looking for a fast, visible win rather than a long negotiation, while Iran sees the moment as an existential test and is unlikely to make major concessions.
Read the article here
Money for Corpses
In Iran, grieving families are being forced to pay thousands of dollars just to retrieve the bodies of killed protesters. Dalshad Hussein reports that some are even made to sign fake confessions saying their loved ones were regime loyalists.
Read the article here
MBN Magazine:
Features, debates and analysis on the Middle East from unique voices. You won’t find these stories anywhere else.
Russia’s Shadow Fleet
Russia has built a secretive “shadow fleet” to keep selling oil despite Western sanctions. MBN’s Rasha Ibrahim and Sukaina Ali report that the port of Al Fujairah in the UAE has become a key stop, raising questions about how much Abu Dhabi benefits and how much it’s at risk politically.
Read the article here
U.S. Hits at Lebanon’s Power Broker
Two U.S. lawmakers are attacking Lebanon’s longtime parliament speaker, Nabih Berri. They introduced a bill accusing Berri of blocking millions of Lebanese abroad from voting; the bill penalizes a foreigner who manipulates ballots overseas. Berri wants to protect Hezbollah and his own grip on power, say the sponsors of the bill. Rami Al Amine explains that for Washington, this is about election integrity, but for Beirut, it’s a direct hit on the old political order.
Read the article here
Algeria and the UAE’s Public Spat
Algeria has officially started cutting aviation ties with the UAE, turning years of quiet tension into a public split. The anger goes back to alleged Emirati meddling in Algeria’s 2019 elections and support for Morocco over Western Sahara. As Sukina Ali explains, at its core, this is a power struggle over influence in North Africa and the Sahel — and it’s now out in the open.
Read the article here
Luxury’s Moral Wake-Up Call
Luxury fashion is slowing down fast, and it’s not just because prices are high. Gen Z shoppers want better quality goods and more ethical workplaces. Investigations in Italy uncovered sweatshop-like conditions behind brands selling $5,000 handbags. Aya Elbaz explains that Gen Z shoppers are now pushing back — choosing transparency, resale, and ethics over logos and hype.
Watch the video here
Union Station: Where Grandeur Meets Grit
With its Roman columns and soaring halls, Washington’s Union Station was built to impress — and to send a clear message of American strength. After narrowly escaping demolition, it was revived as a transportation hub and commercial landmark. Lara Ajami takes you on a visual journey of a station where the city’s polished image collides with the realities of urban life.
Watch the video here
Closer
This was about stopping momentum toward confrontation. There was no illusion of a breakthrough. The priority was to keep the channel open.
—State Department Official to MBN on Muscat Talks
Read the full article here
