There's this binary conversation around Clubhouse and other social media tools and their impact on the MENA. This conversation seems to only entertain two extremes - either these tools are emancipatory or they're a nothingburger. I'm finding this extremely annoying
When we say these tools are an opportunity, we're told we're "romanticizing" them (wtf?) and if we say the regimes will *always* find ways to fight free expression we're told we're giving up. I honestly want to understand where this lazy mode of thinking comes from
Tools are opportunities, not saviors. We don't need to be reminded of the brutality of our regimes or the failure of the world to stand up to them. We also don't need to be lectured about the resilience of our people and their pent up need to express themselves freely.
Some nuance, please. Because it's getting ridiculous.

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More from @iyad_elbaghdadi

2 Mar
Thread: Revealing important information about link between the pro-MBS online disinformation network and the pro-Trump disinformation ecosystem
BACKGROUND: In May 2019, due to recent action by Twitter, a number of large Saudi disinfo accounts were removed from the platform for state-sponsored manipulation. This was a hit to MBS's disinfo efforts, and led to a Saudi state-manipulated campaign against Twitter.
The Saudi campaign included insults and harassment against Twitter MENA employees, but also importantly, calls to delete Twitter and install Parler. Some of these tweets are still online, but I don't want to link directly to them. Here's some screenshots (Arabic):
Read 11 tweets
2 Mar
IMPORTANT: MBS's disinfo machine is now producing propaganda videos targeting @DAWNmenaorg and its members, including @sarahleah1. These videos are being distributed here on Twitter. This kind of output has in the past been coupled with hacks and other forms of state action.
We have said repeatedly that MBS cannot take a hint. If you are silent about his actions he takes it as permission. Here he is feeling empowered to go on the offensive, just days after the ODNI report. This is the result of impunity, @POTUS.
Campaign also targets @marcowenjones, @aalodah, @Hala_Aldosari and others. I repeat these campaigns in the past went hand in hand with state action including hacking, intimidation and physical threats. MBS is advertising his impunity.
Read 4 tweets
28 Feb
Hi guys, here's an important thread about the Israeli connection to MBS and the cause of justice for Jamal. It's also a thread about how many crosshairs are on my back, and why I'm probably less safe now than I was before the ODNI report:
So you may have noticed that MBS's disinfo accounts have been pumping out anti-Palestinian racist material and have been signalling support for Israel. I've talked about this many times, most recently here:
You'll also notice this piece of news, which Israeli media dropped just hours before the ODNI report came out. It states that Israel is seeking a military alliance that includes MBS, as well as MBZ and Hamad of Bahrain. i24news.tv/en/news/intern…
Read 18 tweets
27 Feb
MBS's disinfo accounts on Twitter are trolling Americans by posting pictures of the Abu Ghraib prison abuse scandal. I guess that's MBS's own sort of whataboutism: "You aren't better than me". Your move @POTUS, can America be better?
More examples of Saudi state disinformation employing whataboutism and spreading anti-American messaging: Let MBS get away with Jamal's murder because Hiroshima
MBS's disinformation department suddenly wants you to know that Black Lives Matter and police brutality is bad in America
Read 4 tweets
26 Feb
At 2 pm EST we have a panel on @joinClubhouse to discuss the Khashoggi report declassification and its ramifications. You'll get news updates as they come in + analysis by friends of Jamal. With @aalodah, @AbuLavinia, @gatnash, @magsmitchell. Tune in: joinclubhouse.com/event/xqjAGgkD
The declassified ODNI report is now live. No surprises here. MBS ordered the Khashoggi murder: docdroid.net/9eJivlh/assess…
"We have high confidence that the following individuals participated in, ordered, or were otherwise complicit in or responsible for the death of Jamal Khashoggi on behalf of Muhammad bin Salman". 21 named.
Read 5 tweets
25 Feb
Reminder that MBS is stuck in power. This guy locked up his own senior family members and regime elites and tortured them until they handed over their fortunes. There is no future for MBS out of power, once he's out of power a thousand knives await him.
Asking MBS to leave power is basically asking him to commit suicide, he can't do it even if he wanted to. Expecting the King to sideline him is also strange given how MBS actually runs the king and not vice versa. Asking the family to sideline MBS is asking for a coup.
Meanwhile hitting MBS with max sanctions will isolate him, but then he can't step down (see above). If isolated and feeling threatened, he'll become more ferocious and repressive, and will lean more on his buddies MBZ and Netanyahu to help him survive and repress
Read 4 tweets

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