News network Al Jazeera dominated coverage of the recent fighting the Gaza. Owned by the Emir of Qatar, and headquartered in the Middle East, the channel has a dominant presence in the Middle East. This was evident during the Gaza conflict when its intensive coverage put its competitors to shame.
Al Jazeera knew it too. It paid for large advertisements on the New York Times website explaining to American viewers how they can access its English-language coverage through the internet. This was another ‘Afghanistan moment’, or an opportunity for the channel to win new viewers with its exclusive coverage.
Al Jazeera is one of the Silk Road’s most compelling stories. Yet its influence isn’t limited to the Middle East. The channel has also inspired other Silk Road countries, in particular China.
