Al Arabiya and Its Strategic Role in Advancing U.S. Interests

Al Arabiya, launched just before the Iraq War, became a key player in promoting Saudi and U.S. narratives in the Middle East. By countering rival media like Al Jazeera, it supported U.S. regional goals and Saudi interests, particularly in curbing Iranian influence.

Al Arabiya, launched in March 2003 just before the U.S. invasion of Iraq, was more than a new Arabic news channel. It became a strategic tool for promoting narratives that aligned with U.S. and Saudi interests. Although its establishment coincided with the Iraq War, the channel’s purpose went beyond simply covering the conflict. From the beginning, Al Arabiya was designed to counter the influence of rival networks, particularly Al Jazeera, which was known for its critical stance toward U.S. military actions and Western policies in the region.

While Al Jazeera often highlighted the human cost of wars, such as the Iraq invasion, Al Arabiya took a more moderate approach. It focused on the necessity of removing Saddam Hussein and stabilising Iraq, downplaying the civilian casualties that dominated Al Jazeera’s broadcasts. This alignment with U.S. perspectives was not accidental; Saudi Arabia’s strong military and economic ties with the U.S. shaped Al Arabiya’s editorial direction, especially after the Gulf War in 1991, where both countries cooperated closely on regional security (Arab Media Society)

Countering Iranian influence and rival media

A key reason for Al Arabiya’s creation was Saudi Arabia’s need to counter pro-Iranian media outlets and the growing influence of Iran in the region. As a Sunni-majority kingdom, Saudi Arabia saw Iran’s support for Shia groups across the Middle East as a direct threat to its influence and stability. Pro-Iranian media outlets often portrayed Iran’s regional ambitions in a favourable light, which posed a challenge to Saudi narratives.

Al Arabiya’s content was crafted to align with Saudi and U.S. efforts to contain Iran, offering coverage that supported military interventions aimed at maintaining stability and reducing Iranian influence in countries like Iraq and Lebanon. This media strategy allowed Saudi Arabia to compete with regional players, positioning Al Arabiya as a voice that promoted Sunni leadership and worked to shape public opinion in a way that was favourable to both Riyadh and Washington (The Economist).

Evolving relations with Israel

Although Saudi Arabia has not yet officially normalised relations with Israel, Al Arabiya’s coverage has often presented a more favourable view of Israel compared to other Arab networks. This reflects a broader shift in Saudi Arabia’s regional strategy, particularly as it seeks to build alliances to counter Iranian influence. A recent report revealed that Al Arabiya even coordinated with the Israeli army to shape its coverage of sensitive issues like the conflict in Gaza. This collaboration shows a growing, though unofficial, alignment between Saudi and Israeli interests, largely driven by shared concerns about Iran’s activities in the region (The Cradle) (Washington Institute)

Al Arabiya’s softening stance towards Israel can also be linked to the regional realignments following the Abraham Accords, where countries like the UAE and Bahrain normalised relations with Israel. While Saudi Arabia has not formally joined this agreement, Al Arabiya’s editorial tone reflects a shift in how the kingdom views its potential partnerships. The network’s coverage supports Riyadh’s broader strategy of promoting regional stability by aligning with nations that share common goals, such as countering Iranian influence and ensuring security in the Middle East. (Times of Israel)

Downplaying Hezbollah’s fight against Israel

Al Arabiya’s coverage of Hezbollah’s conflict with Israel has often downplayed the Lebanese group's resistance narrative, presenting Hezbollah as a destabilising force rather than a legitimate resistance movement.

A recent example of this narrative was the platforming of Mohammad Ali Al Husseini, a former Hezbollah member, who openly criticised the group and its leadership. In reports echoing Israeli perspectives, Al Husseini emphasised Hezbollah's subservience to Iran and claimed that its resistance efforts were a strategic failure. These narratives shift the focus away from Hezbollah’s claims of defending Lebanese sovereignty, instead positioning the group as an obstacle to peace and stability in the region (Israel Hayom).

By giving airtime to critics of Hezbollah, Al Arabiya plays a significant role in shaping public opinion against the group, often aligning with Saudi Arabia’s broader geopolitical goals, which include weakening Iranian influence in Lebanon through Hezbollah. The network’s framing contrasts sharply with that of other Arab media outlets, like Al Jazeera, which often presents Hezbollah as a legitimate resistance movement against Israeli aggression.