Al Majalla and the cover story

We do this keeping in mind Al Majalla's impeccable track record when it comes to highlighting the Arab perspective and creating rich content through its use of sophisticated and bold language, as well as its accurate reporting, comprehensive investigations and exclusive interviews. 

In recent months, the work has intensified, and we have focused on different tracks. We began by establishing an overall strategy and procuring the necessary tools and means to carry it out. 

Dedicated and experienced team

Then a team that believed in Al Majalla's vision was created. 

It comprised top journalists, writers, and experts across our group's portfolio, reflecting its vision to integrate print and digital media, marry content and design, compliment the depth of an idea with the flow of its words, and utilise all tools of media production using both traditional and modern platforms.

Thanks to Ms. Jomana AlRashid's encouragement and the devotion and support of the SRMG and Al Majalla team, we mobilised in record time. And after many trials and tests, I am happy to announce that we are now ready to launch.
 

For our first issue, the Al Majalla team carefully debated the topic of the cover story. It is especially important as it comprises 20-40 per cent of the print edition.

Following lengthy debate and discussions, the team chose to highlight Iran for many professional reasons.

This February marks the 44th anniversary of the Iranian "revolution" led by Khomeini. The memory of the "revolution" is painful for some and inspiring for others, as the country is going through an unprecedented wave of protests following the killing of the young Kurdish woman, Mahsa Amini. 

Despite the draconian grip of security forces and a series of executions carried out by the state, protesters have demonstrated resilience.

Increasing global isolation

As a result of its crackdown on anti-government protests, as well as its military support to Russia in its war on Ukraine, Iran has been expelled from several international institutions.

Tehran is finding itself more and more internationally isolated, and Western countries are currently considering designating Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation.

Although protests have recently subsided and expectations of an immediate change in the country have tapered, questions surrounding recent developments remain valid. 

Also, discussion over possible succession to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei amid reports of his ailing health, add an additional dimension to the topic.

The question we asked was: "Will the Iranian regime fall?" Clearly, there is no easy or straightforward answer.

As of today, Al Majalla will be publishing on its digital platforms, articles written by Arab and foreign journalists and experts that feature in the print edition, addressing this question in its entirety. 

Comprehensive coverage

These articles cover Iran's security and military structure; how it has dealt with the protests and their historical context; and the role of women in the revolution and culture — all the way to the killing of Mahsa Amini. 

They also discuss Iran's expansion in the region and the role of Damascus, which facilitated the establishment of Hezbollah in Lebanon in the 1980s and has become, in recent years, an arena for a proxy war between Israel and Iran under American and Russian auspices.
 

The articles also examine the repercussions of any possible change in the security-political structure in Tehran on Iran's expansion into the region and its border breaches from Iraq to Syria and Lebanon to Yemen and the predicament of its "imperial project" in the region.

Beyond the cover story, Al Majalla, in its new look, presents analyses, articles, investigations, and interviews covering various aspects of politics, economy, culture, society, science, and topical issues in the region and the world.

This symbiotic relationship between print and digital will be accompanied by a new launch for Al Majalla on social media, video, and audio platforms, in a ground-breaking experience that stems from its well-established heritage, to march into future by using the language of the future.