Asharq al-Awsat

The Asharq Al Awsat - (Arabic: الشرق الأوسط; German also Asch - Schark al - sowing ) is one of the largest Arabic-language newspapers in the world. The name of the newspaper literally means Middle East, but which is referred to in German as the Middle East.

The newspaper was founded in 1978 by Jihad Al Khazen in London, where there still stands a headquarters of the editors. Newspaper owner is Saudi Prince Faisal bin Salman, son of Crown Prince Salman ibn Abd al - Aziz. Today it is used by the Saudi Research and Marketing Ltd.. sold, which brings out among other Arabic-speaking publications and the English-language newspaper Arab News. One of the most successful editors in chief of Asharq Al- Awsat, Abdul Rahman Al Rashid, took over in 2004, the management of the news channel Al- Arabiya. Editor in chief since 2004 Tariq Al- Homayed, which was replaced in 2012 by Adel Al - Toraifi.

The self as a Pan-Arab Asharq al - Awsat was descriptive loud observers in recent years increasingly " Saudi Siert ". There editorial jobs were cut in the relatively expensive London. At the editorials of the sheet, the positions of the Saudi foreign policy could be better read than the official statements.

The journalist Mona Eltahawy describes " red lines" that one should not exceed Asharq al - Awsat on; primarily criticizing the ruling family Al -Saud, and then the neighboring Gulf States (except criticism of the rival Qatar, which was released) and in the third line of Saudi Arabia further Arab partner countries.

The newspaper is said to have a circulation of around 237,000 copies, which are sold around 175,000 in Saudi Arabia. However, there is a lack of independent, reliable and comparable circulation figures of Arab newspapers.

The newspaper has since December 1995 available on the internet and published their articles there in English.

In the uprising in Syria, it serves the Free Syrian Army as a mouthpiece.