The Al-Jazeera News Network Opportunity or Challenge for U.S.Foreign Policy in the Middle East
Congressional Research Service Report for Congress
...Al-Jazeera, the Arab world’s first all-news network was started by the Persian
Gulf monarchy of Qatar. It has come to be recognized as a key player in covering
issues of central importance to U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East: the conflict in
Iraq, the war on terrorism, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Al-Jazeera has become
so publicly influential that U.S. officials now regularly appear on the network.
Although Al-Jazeera has received praise for its uncensored format and for airing
interviews with U.S. and Israeli officials, as well as Arab critics of the policies of
Arab governments, it has drawn criticism from many observers in the United States
and elsewhere for a perceived lack of objectivity in covering these conflicts,
including the activities of Al Qaeda. For their part, officials from Al-Jazeera have
claimed that theymerely reflect Arab popular resentment of U.S. policy in the Middle
East.
This paper provides an overview of Al-Jazeera and explores the debate
surrounding its objectivity. This report also analyzesAl-Jazeera’s coverage of events
in theMiddle East, specifically, its coverage of events in Iraq,Afghanistan, and Israel
and the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The final section of this report discusses policy
options regardingU.S. public diplomacyefforts in the MiddleEast region.....
Congressional Research Service
The Congressional Research Service (CRS) serves shared staff to congressional committees and Members of Congress. CRS experts assist at every stage of the legislative process — from the early considerations that precede bill drafting, through committee hearings and floor debate, to the oversight of enacted laws and various agency activities.
CRS's analytic capabilities integrate multiple disciplines and research methodologies. In a fast-paced, ever-changing environment, CRS provides Congress with the vital, analytical support it needs to address the most complex public policy issues facing the nation. Its work incorporates program and legislative expertise, quantitative methodologies, and legal and economic analysis.
advertisement