Alex MacDonald
@alexjaymac.bsky.social
Middle East Eye, reporter/commentator. Mainly talk about Iraq, Iran, Israel-Palestine, UK and Turkey. Folk musician. He/him. DM any story tips!
Pinned
Fifty years of plunder: How Morocco and its allies profit from Western Sahara
The natural resources of Africa’s last colony are exploited by foreign companies, with renewables greenwashing Morocco's grip
www.middleeasteye.net
ICYMI, I wrote about 50 years of Morocco's occupation of Western Sahara and the European companies and countries complicit in exploiting its resources: www.middleeasteye.net/news/western...
"Mohamed Tadjadit is truly inspiring, a brilliant artist who uses his voice for the good of others. He has suffered deeply as a result"
www.middleeasteye.net/news/algeria...
www.middleeasteye.net/news/algeria...
Algerian 'Hirak poet' facing death sentence begins hunger strike
Award-winning activist and poet Mohamed Tadjadit potentially faces execution over terrorism-related charges which rights groups say are politically motivated
www.middleeasteye.net
November 20, 2025 at 12:17 PM
"Mohamed Tadjadit is truly inspiring, a brilliant artist who uses his voice for the good of others. He has suffered deeply as a result"
www.middleeasteye.net/news/algeria...
www.middleeasteye.net/news/algeria...
"Syria is a diverse country that believes in the other, that taught the entire region how to live together as communities"
www.middleeasteye.net/news/syria-d...
www.middleeasteye.net/news/syria-d...
Syria 'does not have a sectarian problem', says foreign minister
Asaad al-Shaibani compares Syria to patient in 'intensive care' as he promises pluralism and elections
www.middleeasteye.net
November 14, 2025 at 2:41 PM
"Syria is a diverse country that believes in the other, that taught the entire region how to live together as communities"
www.middleeasteye.net/news/syria-d...
www.middleeasteye.net/news/syria-d...
ICYMI, I wrote about 50 years of Morocco's occupation of Western Sahara and the European companies and countries complicit in exploiting its resources: www.middleeasteye.net/news/western...
Fifty years of plunder: How Morocco and its allies profit from Western Sahara
The natural resources of Africa’s last colony are exploited by foreign companies, with renewables greenwashing Morocco's grip
www.middleeasteye.net
November 8, 2025 at 8:51 AM
ICYMI, I wrote about 50 years of Morocco's occupation of Western Sahara and the European companies and countries complicit in exploiting its resources: www.middleeasteye.net/news/western...
Did something about the Western Sahara, 50 years on: www.middleeasteye.net/news/western...
Fifty years of plunder: How Morocco and its allies profit from Western Sahara
The natural resources of Africa’s last colony are exploited by foreign companies, with renewables greenwashing Morocco's grip
www.middleeasteye.net
November 6, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Did something about the Western Sahara, 50 years on: www.middleeasteye.net/news/western...
Reposted by Alex MacDonald
ladies and gentlemen...we got him
October 30, 2025 at 7:10 PM
ladies and gentlemen...we got him
"We've been saying these cases need to be removed from our country's agenda. As of today, I hope this will happen. Politics will also return to its normal course."
www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkey-...
www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkey-...
Ankara court dismisses case to remove Turkish opposition leader
Judge rules vote-buying allegations against CHP leader Ozgur Ozel 'moot' in ruling praised by party's lawyer
www.middleeasteye.net
October 24, 2025 at 4:47 PM
"We've been saying these cases need to be removed from our country's agenda. As of today, I hope this will happen. Politics will also return to its normal course."
www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkey-...
www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkey-...
"They always have different excuses for the demolition and this time they claim we destroyed an archaeological site - which is a big lie"
www.middleeasteye.net/news/appeals...
www.middleeasteye.net/news/appeals...
Appeals for support after Jerusalem court threatens Masafer Yatta community centre
Youth of Sumud Centre could be latest victim of Israel's long-running assault on occupied West Bank community
www.middleeasteye.net
October 11, 2025 at 1:18 PM
"They always have different excuses for the demolition and this time they claim we destroyed an archaeological site - which is a big lie"
www.middleeasteye.net/news/appeals...
www.middleeasteye.net/news/appeals...
"We [can't] conflate the Jewish community and the ongoing genocide in Gaza and actually putting those two things together, I say personally as a Jewish person, makes me feel more at risk.”
www.middleeasteye.net/news/green-l...
www.middleeasteye.net/news/green-l...
Green leader Polanski criticises attempts to link Manchester synagogue attack and Gaza protests
Only Jewish leader of a British political party criticises calls by police and politicians to cancel Palestine Action demo
www.middleeasteye.net
October 3, 2025 at 12:25 PM
"We [can't] conflate the Jewish community and the ongoing genocide in Gaza and actually putting those two things together, I say personally as a Jewish person, makes me feel more at risk.”
www.middleeasteye.net/news/green-l...
www.middleeasteye.net/news/green-l...
With the big man in the news again, perhaps it's time I repost my article from 2023 on Tony Blair's legacy in the Middle East: www.middleeasteye.net/news/iraq-in...
Iraq invasion: The unforgettable legacy of Tony Blair
Former UK prime minister's 'liberal intervention' in Kosovo won him praise, but his embrace of the 2003 Iraq invasion has defined his legacy
www.middleeasteye.net
September 26, 2025 at 10:56 AM
With the big man in the news again, perhaps it's time I repost my article from 2023 on Tony Blair's legacy in the Middle East: www.middleeasteye.net/news/iraq-in...
"I knew what I signed up for when I decided to go on this flotilla, I know what Israel is capable of, and I know what Israel does to peaceful people"
www.middleeasteye.net/news/footage...
www.middleeasteye.net/news/footage...
Italy sends warship to accompany Gaza flotilla following Israeli attack
No casualties reported on Global Sumud Flotilla after multiple explosions in early hours
www.middleeasteye.net
September 24, 2025 at 1:48 PM
"I knew what I signed up for when I decided to go on this flotilla, I know what Israel is capable of, and I know what Israel does to peaceful people"
www.middleeasteye.net/news/footage...
www.middleeasteye.net/news/footage...
Reposted by Alex MacDonald
Useful reminder from Peter Kellner on the problems we refuse to acknowledge are getting better, and the politics of hopelessness that this breeds
open.substack.com/pub/kellnerp...
open.substack.com/pub/kellnerp...
September 23, 2025 at 6:29 AM
Useful reminder from Peter Kellner on the problems we refuse to acknowledge are getting better, and the politics of hopelessness that this breeds
open.substack.com/pub/kellnerp...
open.substack.com/pub/kellnerp...
'Alaa's release is symbolic to everyone - it represents hope and a breather amid escalating repression inside Egypt and transnationally'
www.middleeasteye.net/news/egypt-s...
www.middleeasteye.net/news/egypt-s...
Egypt's Sisi pardons jailed activist Alaa Abd El-Fattah
State media confirms pardon along with other imprisoned dissidents
www.middleeasteye.net
September 22, 2025 at 1:32 PM
'Alaa's release is symbolic to everyone - it represents hope and a breather amid escalating repression inside Egypt and transnationally'
www.middleeasteye.net/news/egypt-s...
www.middleeasteye.net/news/egypt-s...
Impossible to overstate what a genius Blind Blake was. Apart from maybe Lonnie Johnson there is no other 20s blues guitarist who got close to this kind of thing. youtu.be/qcdyEjV26rI?...
Chump Man Blues
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
Chump Man Blues · Blind Blake
Blind Blake Vol. 3 (1928 - 1929)
℗ 1991 Document Records
Released on: 2005-04-05
Auto-generated by YouTube.
youtu.be
September 21, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Impossible to overstate what a genius Blind Blake was. Apart from maybe Lonnie Johnson there is no other 20s blues guitarist who got close to this kind of thing. youtu.be/qcdyEjV26rI?...
Made a fairly atrocious attempt at singing and playing the Palestinian folk song 'Weyn a Ramallah' at the Brookmill in Deptford on Friday for a Palestine benefit.
Much like I was on my previous visits to Ramallah itself I was already rather tipsy when I performed: youtu.be/L1Bgqk9ec2Q?...
Much like I was on my previous visits to Ramallah itself I was already rather tipsy when I performed: youtu.be/L1Bgqk9ec2Q?...
Weyn a Ramallah
YouTube video by Alex MacDonald
youtu.be
September 21, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Made a fairly atrocious attempt at singing and playing the Palestinian folk song 'Weyn a Ramallah' at the Brookmill in Deptford on Friday for a Palestine benefit.
Much like I was on my previous visits to Ramallah itself I was already rather tipsy when I performed: youtu.be/L1Bgqk9ec2Q?...
Much like I was on my previous visits to Ramallah itself I was already rather tipsy when I performed: youtu.be/L1Bgqk9ec2Q?...
If anyone's around in southeast London this evening I'll be playing at this along with a bunch of other great musicians:
September 19, 2025 at 8:24 AM
If anyone's around in southeast London this evening I'll be playing at this along with a bunch of other great musicians:
Starmer declared a non-violent direct action group a terrorist organisation, so Trump is trying one-upmanship by declaring a group that doesn't exist a terrorist organisation: edition.cnn.com/2025/09/17/p...
Trump says he’s designating Antifa as a terrorist organization | CNN Politics
President Donald Trump said he is designating the far-left anti-fascism movement Antifa as a terrorist organization, announcing the move on his Truth Social platform in the early hours of Thursday mor...
edition.cnn.com
September 18, 2025 at 5:58 AM
Starmer declared a non-violent direct action group a terrorist organisation, so Trump is trying one-upmanship by declaring a group that doesn't exist a terrorist organisation: edition.cnn.com/2025/09/17/p...
"We still continue to work, and continue to grow and build. And we're very passionate and feel that we can't just sit around and do nothing."
🇵🇸 🍻 🇵🇸 🍻
www.middleeasteye.net/news/palesti...
🇵🇸 🍻 🇵🇸 🍻
www.middleeasteye.net/news/palesti...
Palestine's top brewmaster says Israeli settler attacks won't stop Taybeh beer
Madees Khoury, the Middle East's only female brewmaster, tells MEE Israeli attacks have only strengthened the company's resolve
www.middleeasteye.net
September 16, 2025 at 9:16 AM
"We still continue to work, and continue to grow and build. And we're very passionate and feel that we can't just sit around and do nothing."
🇵🇸 🍻 🇵🇸 🍻
www.middleeasteye.net/news/palesti...
🇵🇸 🍻 🇵🇸 🍻
www.middleeasteye.net/news/palesti...
The controversy over Eurovision and Israel continues to rumble on:
www.middleeasteye.net/news/eurovis...
www.middleeasteye.net/news/eurovis...
Eurovision organisers: We've not told Israel to withdraw from next year's contest
Competition attempts to negotiate controversy after Netherlands, Ireland, Spain and others threaten withdrawal over Gaza
www.middleeasteye.net
September 15, 2025 at 1:14 PM
The controversy over Eurovision and Israel continues to rumble on:
www.middleeasteye.net/news/eurovis...
www.middleeasteye.net/news/eurovis...
Another country pulls out of Eurovision - the UK government and BBC both said they would not be commenting on whether they might follow suit:
www.middleeasteye.net/news/dutch-s...
www.middleeasteye.net/news/dutch-s...
Dutch state broadcaster latest to withdraw from Eurovision if Israel participates
Netherlands joins Ireland, Spain and others saying they may not take part in 2026 contest over Israel's genocide in Gaza
www.middleeasteye.net
September 12, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Another country pulls out of Eurovision - the UK government and BBC both said they would not be commenting on whether they might follow suit:
www.middleeasteye.net/news/dutch-s...
www.middleeasteye.net/news/dutch-s...
"This is RTE finally reflecting the will of the majority of people in Ireland who stand resolutely in solidarity with the Palestinian people and against Israel's apartheid and genocide"
www.middleeasteye.net/news/ireland...
www.middleeasteye.net/news/ireland...
Ireland to withdraw from Eurovision if Israel participates
RTE's announcement follows similar threats of withdrawal from Spain and Slovenia
www.middleeasteye.net
September 11, 2025 at 2:33 PM
"This is RTE finally reflecting the will of the majority of people in Ireland who stand resolutely in solidarity with the Palestinian people and against Israel's apartheid and genocide"
www.middleeasteye.net/news/ireland...
www.middleeasteye.net/news/ireland...
"She was released and not liberated...to facilitate the withdrawal of US forces without a fight and to spare Iraq any conflicts or fighting."
www.middleeasteye.net/news/family-...
www.middleeasteye.net/news/family-...
Family hails release of Israeli-Russian researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov in Iraq
Iraqi government blames 'group of outlaws' for kidnapping researcher who was reportedly freed on 9 September
www.middleeasteye.net
September 10, 2025 at 11:18 AM
"She was released and not liberated...to facilitate the withdrawal of US forces without a fight and to spare Iraq any conflicts or fighting."
www.middleeasteye.net/news/family-...
www.middleeasteye.net/news/family-...
"[Yusuf] would not say whether Israel had killed too many innocent people, and claimed sustainable peace would be difficult because of Hamas."
www.middleeasteye.net/news/reforms...
www.middleeasteye.net/news/reforms...
Reform's Zia Yusuf would not condemn Israel killing MEE journalists in Gaza
Reform's head of policy would not condemn Israel and said peace will be difficult because of Hamas
www.middleeasteye.net
September 7, 2025 at 12:33 PM
"[Yusuf] would not say whether Israel had killed too many innocent people, and claimed sustainable peace would be difficult because of Hamas."
www.middleeasteye.net/news/reforms...
www.middleeasteye.net/news/reforms...
Uh, no. The idea of the monster as as purely "misunderstood with Oedipal issues" stems more from the adaptations.
In the book, the monster is an intelligent and calculating serial killer, regardless of motivation. Not a confused innocent like the Whale adaptation or others.
In the book, the monster is an intelligent and calculating serial killer, regardless of motivation. Not a confused innocent like the Whale adaptation or others.
Apparently Guillermo Del Toro has ruined Frankenstein by… being relatively faithful to the source material.
Oh my.
Oh my.
September 3, 2025 at 7:27 AM
Uh, no. The idea of the monster as as purely "misunderstood with Oedipal issues" stems more from the adaptations.
In the book, the monster is an intelligent and calculating serial killer, regardless of motivation. Not a confused innocent like the Whale adaptation or others.
In the book, the monster is an intelligent and calculating serial killer, regardless of motivation. Not a confused innocent like the Whale adaptation or others.