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Voices from the Arab press: China’s role, medicine’s lessons, and the future of Iran talks

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

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping pose at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, May 20.
FILE PHOTO: A worker walks in front of the recently renamed Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, in Washington, D.C., U.S., December 29, 2025.

Kennedy Center orders staff to remove Trump's name from building following federal decision

Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III takes part in Holy Thursday ceremonies at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem's Old City, on April 9, 2026.

Patriarch Theophilos III, Trump to discuss protection of Christians, freedom of worship

IRGC Quds Force chief Esmail Qaani pictured in Tehran, Iran, February 17, 2026; illustrative.

Iran’s Quds Force chief Qaani demands Israel withdraw from Lebanon amid US-brokered deal


FBI 'identified and addressed' suspicious cyber activity on its networks, agency spokesperson says

The FBI has identified suspicious activity on its networks, focusing on wiretap and intelligence surveillance systems, but has not disclosed specifics or the scope of the incident.

FBI agents monitor suspicious activity; illustrative.

War with Iran reveals a new, unprecedented US-Israel alliance - opinion

Contrary to the common misconception, the US and Israel haven’t always been so tight.

The national flag of Iran flies in the wind as debris lies scattered in the aftermath of an Israeli and U.S. strike on a police station, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Tehran, Iran, March 3, 2026.

Spain’s prime minister is pushing Israel policy to the brink, and Washington may respond - opinion

Spain’s increasingly aggressive posture toward Israel risks damaging its ties with both the US and the EU, as Sánchez’s political tactics collide with geopolitical realities.

SPANISH PRIME MINISTER Pedro Sánchez leaves at the end of a news conference before summer break, in Madrid, in July. In recent weeks, he has led unprecedented moves against Israel, the writer charges.

Iran’s escalation risks turning a limited war into a regional inferno - opinion

Iran’s escalation has already produced severe outcomes, including increased military activity, threats to critical infrastructure, and growing instability across the Gulf.

 Iranian flags fly as fire and smoke from an Israeli attack on Sharan Oil depot rise, following Israeli strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, June 15, 2025.

Iran’s leadership shattered: What comes next in the US-Israel campaign? - opinion

With Khamenei gone, Iran faces an uncertain future; will the regime fracture or endure amid ongoing US-Israel military pressure?

Smoke rises after an Israeli military strike on Iran's Basij forces headquarters in Tehran, Iran, in this screengrab taken from a handout video released on March 1, 2026

Pentagon leads federal exodus from Anthropic to OpenAI under Trump directive

The federal government's widening boycott of Anthropic and its Chatbot platform Claude marked a harsh rebuke by Washington.

 CHATGPT

Attack on Iran could buoy Trump in talks with China's Xi - analysis

US military actions against Iran leave Xi Jinping in a tough spot ahead of his summit with Trump, with China's oil supply at risk and limited options to respond.

US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping talk as they leave after a bilateral meeting at Gimhae International Airport, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, in Busan, South Korea, October 30, 2025.

Donald Trump, Germany's Merz to meet in Washington as Iran war ramps up

Merz will be the first European leader to meet Trump since the start of the operation, which has blocked one of the world's key oil shipping lanes and thrown global air transport into chaos.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz makes a statement on the situation in the Middle East, at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, March 1, 2026

Iran does not want a lasting deal but time to rebuild its capabilities and strength - editorial

Iranian officials couched their proposal in maximalist terms - not the language of a party intent on genuine breakthrough agreements but one of a regime intent on extracting breathing room.

In this handout photo released by the Iran's Foreign Ministry on February 26, 2026, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (L) speaks with Oman's Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi during their meeting in Geneva.

US efforts helped pave way for Syria-Druze deal, source tells 'Post'

Months of US diplomacy paved the way for a historic detainee swap between Damascus and the Druze of Sweida, marking a breakthrough in Syrian peace efforts.

Members of the military police stand near a bus carrying released detainees during a prisoner exchange between the Syrian government and Druze factions, in Sweida, Syria, February 26, 2026.