Middle East Uncovered

Middle East Uncovered is turning one. We are celebrating in New York City on Thursday, May 14th, from 6 PM to 10 PM. There will be live music, food, and a chance to meet the team. It’s free to attend, but space is limited. Reserve yours: eventbrite.com/e/middle-east-….

My report for @M_E_uncovered is out now. In Kawa settlement, I spoke with the Iranian Kurdish refugees who fled Khomeini’s regime or the Iraq-Iran war, to find themselves in a permanent limbo. With no documentation from Iran and no rights in Iraq, they have been stateless for 40 years - one of the most forgotten communities in the region. #Iran #Iraq #refugees themiddleeastuncovered.com/p/the-permanen…

Middle East Uncovered has reached 1,000,000 views on @Substack since its launch in May 2025. Thank you to everyone who has read, shared, and engaged with our work. The conversation continues. Subscribe to themiddleeastuncovered.com

Middle East Uncovered will be live on #Substack this Wednesday with Part III of "What's Next for #Iran?" @faisalalmutarand and @Iram_Ramzan will discuss the #blockade, the #ceasefire, and the latest #peace talks. Faisal is the founder of @IdeasB2, a nonprofit that supports civil society, free markets, and reform in the Middle East. Iram is a journalist and MEU contributor who covers #Islam, #politics, and civil liberties. Join us on Wednesday, April 15th at 12:00 PM EST. Add the event to your calendar and feel free to send in your questions: open.substack.com/live-stream/16…

"That's just privilege." @faisalalmutar, President of @ideasb2 and founder of @M_E_uncovered, on academics who dismiss Bitcoin's value

Welcome home, Shelly!

Both Washington and Tehran declare victory following a ceasefire that ended 40 days of US-Israeli strikes on Iran. But who truly gained? Who bears the greatest burden? And what are the implications of this fragile truce for the region? Middle East Uncovered's @Iram_Ramzan analyzes the situation, navigating through conflicting narratives to interpret what the ceasefire represents. Read the full article at: themiddleeastuncovered.com/p/a-frail-truc…

WE'RE LIVE NOW on Instagram We're talking Iran, Gaza, and the shifting Arab media landscape — and you can join right now. @faisalalmutar is the founder of @IdeasB2, the nonprofit behind MEU. He works on civil society, free markets, and reform across the Middle East. @howidyhamza is a writer and activist from #Gaza who opposed Hamas at great personal risk. Now based in Germany and author of Muscheln am Strand von Gaza (S. Fischer, 2026). Join the conversation live on Instagram at: ow.ly/ZfUY50YBRGy

Trump's Board of Peace is working behind the scenes for a simple framework to rebuild a new Gaza and for a first step to resolve the Palestinian question, I wrote for @M_E_uncovered @hamzahowidy/note/p-191984480" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">substack.com/@hamzahowidy/n…

Happening Now! Middle East Uncovered is live on Substack right now with @Faisalalmutar to answer your questions about the war in Iran, the state of the Middle East, and the impact on civil society during times of unrest. Join the conversation right now at: ow.ly/BvCS50Yzi4u

@Iram_ramzan from Middle East Uncovered reports from the UK, where British authorities have arrested suspects with ties to Iran in an alleged plot against Jewish communities. Officials say this raises concerns about Tehran’s activities in the UK. They warn that Iran is stepping up efforts to monitor, intimidate, and attack people it sees as enemies abroad. Read the full story at: ow.ly/KvvO50Yw2IG

Analysts are talking about possible new borders in the Middle East, such as a split in Iran or the creation of a Kurdish state. However, history shows that borders usually change only when internal unrest aligns with the interests of regional and global powers, not just because a regime is weak or because people rise up. Read from @theactualammar at: ow.ly/tzU150YvrP9

For decades, Iran’s Supreme Leader constructed a network of militias and proxy forces that inflamed conflicts from Beirut to Gaza under the banner of “resistance.” With him gone, this moment could determine whether the region doubles down on armed ideology or finally seizes the opportunity to move toward statehood, sovereignty, and political accountability. Read from @howidyhamza at: ow.ly/U4G850YoI9h

The #Kurds helped defeat #ISIS—and were left to absorb the fallout when Western support faded. What’s happening in northeast #Syria is the predictable cost of abandonment. Once again, as the Kurdish proverbs go, the mountains are their only allies. Read from @Iram_ramzan at: ow.ly/bzkG50Y4yOH

For years, red tape and stalled reforms held back the #Kurdistan Region of Iraq, but now things are changing. Business registration, which used to take months, can now be done in just 24 hours thanks to @IdeasB2. Thousands of new companies have joined the formal economy, startup fees are lower, and home-based businesses are now legal. These improvements come from policy reform, not politics, showing that even when parliament is gridlocked, it’s possible to build a system that helps people and removes obstacles. Read from @faisalalmutar here: ow.ly/n0WP50Y4yML

Gaza’s reality is more complex than the common description of a Mediterranean enclave or a territory defined solely by restrictions. Such simplistic labels obscure the deeper issues of internal governance and the shared responsibility of regional actors, including #Israel and #Egypt. Achieving meaningful solutions demands that we portray the situation accurately and address both internal #Palestinian governance and external constraints—one alone is not enough. Read from @howidyhamza at: ow.ly/oYeQ50Y4yKR

Since the beginning of the unrest in Iran, children in #Iran have faced brutal and unlawful detention, kidnapping, and even killing by the Islamic Republic. According to the #UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which Iran is a signatory, anyone under 18 is considered a child and entitled to special protection. In recent weeks, HANA Human Rights Organization has recorded many cases of minors being prosecuted during a harsh crackdown that has not spared even the most vulnerable. International organizations need to speak out to protect the defenseless. If they do not, the result will be lifelong trauma, broken families, a loss of legitimacy, and the loss of children's lives. Read from @hammidb here: ow.ly/Phfv50Y4yFj

After a turbulent start to the year and rising tensions across the Middle East, the region faces the risk of broader conflict, mainly because of U.S.-Iran confrontations and increased military deployments. In contrast, Iraq has remained calm, with Iranian-backed militias pausing activities as part of an informal truce to allow talks on a possible U.S. military withdrawal since President Trump returned to office. The key question is whether a U.S. withdrawal will enable militias to regroup and destabilize Iraq or foster greater stability in the region. Read from @thestevennabil at: ow.ly/I46g50Y1XuH

Join the Middle East Uncovered’s @faisalalmutar, @theactualammar, and @iram_ramazan today at 12 PM EST at the space below as they discuss the future of Iran’s political landscape and possible outcomes of recent developments. Gain unique insights and expert perspectives on the path forward for Iran. Set your reminder now and join the conversation! Link: x.com/i/spaces/1djxX…