Introducing Middle East Uncovered
Goodbye to the IBB Substack—and hello to something bolder.
Dear Readers,
Today marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter.
What began as the Substack for Ideas Beyond Borders is evolving into something sharper, deeper, and more focused. We’re proud to introduce Middle East Uncovered—an independent publication bringing you stories, perspectives, and analysis from a region too often misunderstood.
You’ll still hear the same voices championing intellectual freedom and open societies. But the lens is clearer, the mission more urgent, and the storytelling more ambitious.
Why the change?
Because the Middle East deserves better coverage. Because too much of what’s written about the region starts from the outside looking in. Because the voices that matter most—reformers, artists, local journalists, and bold thinkers—are often drowned out by noise, bias, or cliché.
Middle East Uncovered is here to change that.
This is not just a name change. It’s a repositioning. A renewed commitment to bringing you:
Clear-eyed reporting and commentary from the ground up
Unflinching narratives that challenge tired tropes
Deep context you won’t find in mainstream headlines
Local voices amplified for a global audience
What to expect
Starting this week, you’ll see our content published under the Middle East Uncovered banner. That means:
🧭 Field Dispatches from those living and working in the region, as well as thoughtful journalists’ reporting, powered by sources unavailable to most
💥 The Argument — personal, provocative op-eds that cut through the noise
🧠 Mythbusters & Backstory — articles that give you the context behind the headlines and the history behind where the region finds itself today
🎙️ Interviews & Spotlights on the artists, business owners, translators, reformers, and builders reshaping their countries
We’ll also be calling for contributions. We’re building a publication that goes where others don’t—and we’re looking for bold, insightful voices to help us get there. Ready to contribute? Send us a short pitch or finished draft to pitch@ideasbeyondborders.org. We’re not looking for polish—we’re looking for purpose.
A final word from Ideas Beyond Borders
This new publication is powered by the same values that guide our work at Ideas Beyond Borders: intellectual freedom, local agency, and human dignity.
But Middle East Uncovered will chart its own path—a media project with editorial independence, a clear voice, and a sharper focus. Our goal is to become a trusted space for Western readers who want to engage with the region beyond the headlines, and a platform for regional voices who deserve to be heard.
We’re so glad you’re with us.
Here’s to bold storytelling, inconvenient truths, and the people pushing their societies forward—often against the odds and at significant personal risk.
With gratitude,
Reid Newton & the Middle East Uncovered Team
(formerly Ideas Beyond Borders Substack)
