The Media Line

‘Facing the Middle East’ examines Iran’s repression, black-Jewish solidarity, regional war risks

The Media Line began with the Islamic Republic’s efforts to reach Iranians abroad while tightening its grip on dissent at home, then turned to an exclusive report on its sexual abuse and repression.

FELICE FRIEDSON on 'Facing the Middle East' Episode 21
 Illustration of ISIS terrorists.

Russia warns ISIS-K recruiting Central Asian migrants for regional terror networks

International spiritual leaders stand on stage at a Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast event at the Knesset auditorium marking 600 days since the start of the war, May 28, 2025.

Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast at 10: Moral Courage of Christians Needed as Jews Face Danger

Men console each other as they sit on a sidewalk, near the scene of a reported active shooter situation at the Islamic Center, in San Diego, California, US, May 18, 2026.

How hate crimes and political assassinations reflect America's polarization crisis - analysis


Bad Israeli history repeats yet again - opinion

Israel and the United States have been pounding Iran from the air for more than a month, leaving Iran’s regime significantly weakened, but not overthrown.

Israeli soldiers patrol along the Israel-Lebanon border on April 10, 2026.

Iran uses its people as live targets, as America values every life - opinion

The juxtaposition of two nations and two ideologies within 24 hours could not be more evident as the clock ticked toward a ceasefire deadline.

A person holds a placard representing a US flag, with an image of Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on a billboard in the background, in Tehran, on April 9, 2026.

The moral barometer: Iran uses its people as live targets, as America values every life - opinion

Let’s not forget for one moment that one nation here believes in civilized democracy, while the other tortures its own people.

 L to R: Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and US President Donald Trump against backdrop of respective flags and missile strikes.

Pakistan Defense Minister deletes anti-Israel post from X after diplomatic backlash

Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif briefly posted a message on X accusing Israel of carrying out “genocide” and using language Israeli officials condemned as inflammatory and offensive.

Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif speaks during an interview with Reuters in Islamabad, Pakistan, October 20, 2025.

US-Iran ceasefire pauses war - nuclear, Hormuz, and Lebanon issues remain

Israelis fear danger, Americans are concerned about exit as a tentative ceasefire takes shape.

Map of Middle East

Voices from the Arab press: Internal Arab fractures amid Iran war

A weekly selection of opinions and analyses from the Arab media around the world.

A man stands on the rubble as emergency services operate at the site of an Israeli strike carried out on Wednesday, in Ain Al Mraiseh in Beirut, Lebanon, April 9, 2026

Meloni warns Iran's plan to charge for passage through Strait of Hormuz could disrupt global trade

Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo ⁠Salvini said on Wednesday that Italy would not deploy naval vessels to patrol the area without authorization from the United Nations. 

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni speaks during a joint statement with President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides, at Chigi Palace, in Rome, Italy, February 26, 2026.

Pakistan tightens security in Islamabad ahead of US-Iran negotiations

According to security sources, a US Air Force C-130 aircraft carrying an advance security and tactical team landed at Nur Khan Air Base on Thursday afternoon. 

Army soldiers sit in a truck, as Pakistan prepares to host the US and Iran for peace talks, in Islamabad, Pakistan, April 10, 2026.

Melania Trump denies any Epstein connection, seeks end to ‘lies,' calls for Congressional hearing

Melania Trump denied any involvement with Epstein or Ghislaine Maxwell, called for public hearings on Epstein’s victims, and rejected online smears in a speech at the White House.

US First Lady Melania Trump delivers remarks regarding the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, from the White House, April 9, 2026.

Syria, Jordan, Turkey sign deal to launch regional trade corridor

The agreement prioritizes the railway sector, including a proposal to link Anatolia in the north with the port of Aqaba in the south and extend toward the Gulf.

View of Amman from Temple of Hercules ruins at Amman Citadel on July 27, 2025 in Amman, Jordan.