Fear and loathing in the Arab media: Trump's election
With reactions ranging from congratulatory to apprehensive and even to downright hostile, the press from around the Arab world reacted differently based on each country and corresponding national interests.
The "familiar bad option," Hillary Clinton, was viewed as one who would continue the disappointing policies of Obama, while the "unfamiliar bad option," Donald Trump, was seen as someone who said racist things about Muslims.
The headline of London-based publication Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, which is close to Qatar, read, "President Trump. The shock and fear."
Similarly, the headline of Al-Quds Al-Arabi, also based in London, read, "The victory of Donald Trump brought a political and economic earthquake to Washington and shock to the world."
Ashraq Al-Awsat, which is Saudi-owned and published in London, wrote, "Trump against the Presidential test," while noting that the King of Saudi Arabia called the President-elect and congratulated him on his victory.
Syrian newspaper Al-Watan, which is connected to the Syrian regime of Bashar Assad, wrote, "Moscow and Cairo are among the prominent well-wishers. The Saudi opposition is worried and their candidate is frustrated. Trump is the master of the White House."
Another Syrian newspaper said, "Damascus will cooperate if Trump's policy is consistent with our ambitions."
"Trump's World—A resort for the crazy"
"America begins the Trump era," read the headline of Egyptian government-owned Al-Ahram, which also quoted Trump as saying, "I'm looking for partnerships and not conflict around the world." The paper further went on to say that Trump led a real war against state institutions and the American media and against every poll, made history.
Lebanese newspaper adopted a more skeptical line, with Al-Akhbar, affiliated with Hezbollah, wrote, "Trump's world—a resort for the crazy," as its headline. Similarly, As-Safir wrote, "The Trump earthquake—the world of hawks and fear returns."
Jordanian media covered the election like many other news outlets across the world, reacting with shock and surprise at the election of Trump. Jordanian newspaper "Al-Ghad," wrote, "World shock: Trump is President." The newspaper went on to quote local politicians who adopted a more pessimistic narrative by saying that they believed the election of Trump would negatively impact relations between Jordan and the United States.
"Do not be afraid of Trump"
"Don't be afraid of Trump," wrote Abed al-Rahman al-Rashad in an article in Ashraq Al-Awsat. Al-Rashad, the former editor-in-chief of the newspaper and former director of Saudi Al-Arabiya, added, "When Obama was elected eight years ago, the victory was accompanied by a flood of jubilant articles. I wrote then not to go overboard with optimism. Not a day since the election of Trump has gone by without pessimism. I also say there is no need to exaggerate the pessimism."
Al-Rashad also wrote that there is a need to look at the United States, which according to him is a country of institutions, and not just at Trump. "There are changes expected in the Trump era versus the Obama era, but there will not be a foreign policy revolution."
Al-Rashad also mentioned Trump's position with regard to Muslims and claimed, "His position against Muslims with regard to terrorism and extremism should not be seen in any way as racism. That is our position on Muslims as well." He went on to clarify that "most of our problems and issues are the result of our own decisions. As such, most of the solutions are in our hands."
Al-Rashad concluded by saying that without a doubt, Trump's four years in the White House will be much more crucial than the eight years of Obama.
