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Egypt’s Inflation and Russia’s Libyan Strategy | Media Arabic Booster 03/25
We look past the usual headlines to analyze two key developing stories. This month: an inside look at Egypt’s changing inflation rate and an in-depth analysis of Russia’s strategic military expansion into southern Libya with General Haftar.
While major conflicts often dominate the news, some of the most critical stories shaping the Arab world are found on the business and opinion pages.
This month’s Media Arabic Booster deliberately looks beyond the typical headlines to analyze two of these developing situations.
First, we explore the economic landscape in Egypt, dissecting a report on the nation’s significant drop in inflation.
Then, we turn to a major geopolitical shift: Russia’s establishment of a new military base deep in the Libyan desert, a move orchestrated with General Haftar that could alter the balance of power in Africa. Together, these analyses provide the vocabulary to understand the vital economic and strategic currents flowing just beneath the surface.
Media Arabic Booster: 03/25 Show
A close look at a headline
al-Sharq al-Awsat: Israel attacks Gaza at night
On March 19, 2025, many Arabic newspapers carried the deadly attack on Gaza on their front pages. The Israeli military had launched a major attack on Gaza during the night, killing over 400 Palestinians, according to Gazan sources.
The attacks drew widespread international condemnation and calls for a cease-fire. Netanyahu insisted on military pressure on Hamas to release the hostages. The U.S. blamed Hamas for the collapse of the ceasefire, while Hamas accused Netanyahu of covering up internal crises.
The Saudi-financed newspaper al-Sharq al-Awsat (ุฌุฑูุฏุฉ ุงูุดุฑู ุงูุฃูุณุท) featured the assault on the front page of their March 19, 2025, issue.
Let’s focus on the headline:
ูุชููุงูู ูุฑู ูู ุญููู ุชู ุจุฏู ุบุฒุฉ
Netanyahu rebuilds his government with Gaza’s blood
ุฅุณุฑุงุฆูู ุชูุชู ุงูู ุฆุงุช ูู ุฃุนูู ุฃูุงู ุงูุญุฑุจ… ููุงุดูุทู ุชุญู ูู ยซุญู ุงุณยป ู ุณุคูููุฉ ุงูููุงุฑ ุงููุฏูุฉ… ูุฅุฏุงูุงุช ุนุฑุจูุฉ ูุฏูููุฉ
Israel kills hundreds in the deadliest days of the warโฆ Washington holds Hamas responsible for the collapse of the truceโฆ and Arab and international condemnation
al-Shorouk: Inflation in Egypt
On March 10, 2025, al-Shorouk (ุตุญููุฉ ุงูุดุฑูู), an Egyptian newspaper, reported that Egypt’s annual inflation rate fell to 12.5% in February 2025 (from 23.2% in January), the fourth straight monthly decrease.
This decline is partly due to a “base effect”, where high inflation rates from the previous year make the current rate seem relatively lower. Vegetable prices played a key role in this trend, dropping by 8.2%.
Let’s focus on the headline:
ู ุนุฏู ุงูุชุถุฎู ุงูุณููู ูุชุฑุงุฌุน ููุดูุฑ ุงูุฑุงุจุน ุนูู ุงูุชูุงูู.. ูููุฎูุถ ูู12.5% ูู ูุจุฑุงูุฑ ุงูู ุงุถู
Annual inflation rate declines for the fourth consecutive month, falling to 12.5% โโin February.
ุฎุจุฑุงุก: ุชุฃุซูุฑ ุณูุฉ ุงูุฃุณุงุณ ูุฑุงุก ุงูุงูุฎูุงุถ ุงููุจูุฑ ูู ุงูุชุถุฎู . ุดููุน ูุชููุน ุจุฏุก ุชุฎููุถ ุฃุณุนุงุฑ ุงููุงุฆุฏุฉ ุฎูุงู ุงุฌุชู ุงุน ุงูู ุฑูุฒู ุงููุงุฏู
Experts: The base effect is behind the significant drop in inflation. Shafie expects interest rates to begin being cut during the next central bank meeting.
The base effect happens when we compare current inflation to a past period where prices were unusually high or low.
- What it means: If last year prices were very high, this year’s inflation might seem lower than it really is. If last year prices were very low, this year’s inflation might seem higher.
- Example: Let’s say prices in Egypt were unusually high last year. This year, even if prices are still rising, the inflation rate might look lower simply because we’re comparing it to that high starting point.
- Why it matters: It’s important to look closely at inflation numbers to understand the real changes in prices over time. Just one number might not tell the whole story.
- A note on language: In the Arabic headline, the word for year (ุณูุฉ) was included. We usually understand that inflation is measured over a year, so you don’t mention it in the English translation.
Arabic Hack: How do you know that an Arabic word is actually a name?
Consider the phrase: ุดููุน ูุชููุน. For Arabic learners, the word ุดููููุนู might be confusing as it can translate to mediator, intercessor, or in a Christian context (ุงููู ูุณููุญููููุฉู), patron saint. The plural form is ุดูููุนูุงุกู, and the I-verb ุดูููุนู – ููุดูููุนู means to mediate or, with the preposition ุจู, to add or to attach.
But that wouldn’t make sense here.
In this context, ุดููุน is likely a personal name. Mustafa Shafie (ู ุตุทูู ุดููุน) is indeed the Head of Research at “Arabia Online” (ุฑุฆูุณ ูุณู ุงูุจุญูุซ ุจุดุฑูุฉ ุนุฑุจูุฉ ุฃูู ูุงูู), a company specializing in financial services and investment research. He frequently offers insights on economic trends and monetary policies.
A common challenge in Arabic is that personal names often originate from regular words, frequently adjectives with positive connotations (Karim – ููุฑููู ู – meaning generous); some can also be nouns denoting animals (like lion – ุฃูุณูุฏ) or positive feelings (Hanan – ุญููุงู – affection, sympathy).
So, how can Arabic learners identify names more easily? Here are a few helpful tips:
- Quotation marks: In contemporary writing, especially in news and formal contexts, names are often enclosed in quotation marks (” “). This is a strong indicator that a word is a name.
- Absence of the definite article: While not a foolproof rule, if a noun appears at the beginning of a sentence and functions as the subject without the definite article (ุงูู), it is often a proper noun (a name). Typically, definite or specific subjects take the definite article. However, be aware that indefinite nouns can also be subjects.
- If you cannot work out the meaning of a word in a sentence, check whether it might be the name of a person, company or country – because that is usually what it is.
- Context is key: Pay close attention to the surrounding verbs. Is it an action that is usually associated with a person or a company?
Translation of an article
Letโs look at parts of a longer newspaper article in Arabic. We will translate each sentence carefully. The highlighted words are in the vocabulary list below.
Arabi 21 (Egypt): A Russian military base in the middle of nowhere in Libya
On 10 March 2025, the Egyptian news website Arabi 21 (ุนุฑุจู 21) published a report by its Libyan correspondent in Tripoli, Ala’ Farouq (ุนูุงุก ูุงุฑูู).
Russia is considering establishing a new military base in South Libya with Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, aiming to boost its influence in the African Sahel. This move could provoke tensions with the US and NATO due to the base’s strategic location near Chad and Sudan.
About General Haftar
Khalifa Belqasim Haftar (ุฎูููุฉ ุจููุงุณู ุญูุชุฑ) was born in 1943 in Ajdabiya (ุฃุฌุฏุงุจูุง), Libya. He is a military general.
- Haftar joined Benghaziโs military academy in 1961. At 26, he participated in Muammar Gaddafiโs coup d’รฉtat against King Idris in 1969.
- In 1980, Gaddafi promoted Haftar to colonel and sent him to fight in Chad. Haftar was captured by Chadian forces in 1987.
- Upon release, Haftar defected from the Libyan army. With backing from the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), he formed the military wing of the National Front for the Salvation of Libya (ุงูุฌุจูุฉ ุงููุทููุฉ ูุฅููุงุฐ ููุจูุง) to overthrow Gaddafi.
- Haftar lived for a while in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) before traveling to the US.
- In the United States of America, Haftar settled in northern Virginia, near the CIA headquarters in Langley.
- He returned to Libya in 2011 after Gaddafiโs death. In February 2014, he called on Libyans to overthrow the elected parliament and the General National Congress (ุงูู ุคุชู ุฑ ุงููุทูู ุงูุนุงู ).
- Backed by the UAE and Egypt, Haftar launched a military campaign against what he called โterroristsโ in Benghazi and Tripoli.
- On June 4, 2014, Haftar survived an assassination attempt. However, he did not disappear from public view. He has remained an active figure in Libyan politics and military affairs. For instance, he participated in the Berlin Conference on Libya in 2020, which aimed to address the ongoing conflict in the country.
Recent news reports by Arabi21 show that Khalifa Haftar’s forces in eastern Libya and Belarus (ุจููุงุฑูุณ) have been visiting each other and making agreements.
Haftar is trying to get more international allies and military support, possibly through Russia, while Belarus wants to grow its diplomatic and economic presence.
- Haftar and Belarus have agreed to military cooperation, including arms deals and training.
- Belarus will establish a diplomatic representation office in Benghazi (ุจูุบุงุฒู). Benghazi is a city located in northeastern Libya, on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The population was estimated to be around 859,000 in 2023.
- Agreements span sectors including health, agriculture, industry, and education.
- Observers suggest Haftar aims to indirectly communicate with Russia and diversify his allies.
People are worried that this partnership, which includes deals in health, agriculture, and defense, is mainly about getting weapons and helping Haftar keep his strict control, similar to Belarusian President Lukashenko’s style.
Note: The Arabic word for Belarus (ุจููุงุฑูุณ) looks masculine, but it is actually a feminine word!
Let’s now take a closer look at a few complete paragraphs.
Section 1
ุชุฑุฏุฏุช ุฃูุจุงุก ู ุชุทุงุจูุฉ ุนู ุชูุฌู ุฑูุณูุง ููุญุตูู ุนูู ูุงุนุฏุฉ ุนุณูุฑูุฉ ุฌุฏูุฏุฉ ูู ุฌููุจ ููุจูุง ุนุจุฑ ุงุชูุงูุงุช ู ุน ูุงุฆุฏ ุงูุฌูุด ูู ุดุฑู ุงูุจูุงุฏุ ุงูู ุดูุฑ ุฎูููุฉ ุญูุชุฑ ูุณุท ุชุณุงุคูุงุช ุนู ุฃูุฏุงู ุงูุฎุทูุฉ ูู ุง ุฅุฐุง ูุงูุช ุณุชุซูุฑ ุบุถุจ ุฃู ุฑููุง ูุญูู ุงููุงุชู.
ููุดู ู ููุน “ุฅูุณุงูุฏ ุฃููุฑ” ุงูุฅูุทุงูู ุนู ุชุญุฑูุงุช ู ูุณูู ุจุงูุชูุณูู ู ุน ุญูุชุฑ ูุฅูุดุงุก ูุงุนุฏุฉ ุนุณูุฑูุฉ ูู ู ูุทูุฉ ู ุนุทู ุงูุณุงุฑุฉ ุฌููุจู ููุจูุงุ ูุฃู ุงููุงุนุฏุฉ ูุฏ ุชุตุจุญ ู ุฑูุฒุง ุฑุฆูุณูุง ูุนู ููุงุช ูููู ุฃูุฑูููุง ุงูุฑูุณูุ ูุธุฑุง ูู ููุน ุงูู ูุทูุฉ ุงูุงุณุชุฑุงุชูุฌู ุจุงููุฑุจ ู ู ุงูุญุฏูุฏ ู ุน ุชุดุงุฏ ูุงูุณูุฏุงูุ ููู ุฑูุณูุง ุชุณุนู ูุชุนุฒูุฒ ูููุฐูุง ูู ู ูุทูุฉ ุงูุณุงุญู ุงูุฃูุฑููู ุนูู ุญุณุงุจ ุงููููุฐ ุงููุฑูุณู.
Consistent (identical) reports have emerged about Russiaโs intentions to acquire a new military base in southern Libya based on agreements with the commander of the army in the eastern part of the country, Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, amid questions about the purpose of this move and whether (or not) it will anger the United States and NATO.
The Italian website InsideOver revealed Moscow’s efforts, in coordination with Haftar, to establish a military base in the Ma‘tan al-Sarra region in southern Libya, and that the base could become a key operational center (major hub) for the Russian African Corps, given the region’s strategic location near the borders with Chad and Sudan, with Russia seeking to strengthen its influence in the African Sahel region at the expense of France (French influence).
The Russian African Corps (ูููููููู ุฃูููุฑูููููุง ุงูุฑูููุณูููู), also known as the Africa Corps (ุงูููููููููู ุงููุฃูููุฑููููููู), is a Russian military entity established to expand Russia’s influence in Africa.
It operates under the control of the Russian Ministry of Defense and largely took over the operations of the Wagner Group in Africa. The Corps focuses on providing military support, training, and counterterrorism cooperation with Russia-aligned governments in countries like Libya, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and the Central African Republicุฒ
The term ุงููููู ุงูุฅูุฑููู may also appear in historical contexts. The German ุงููููู ุงูุฅูุฑููู refers to the Deutsches Afrikakorps (German Africa Corps), a military unit of Nazi Germany formed during World War II.
Established on 12 February 1941, its purpose was to support Italian forces in North Africa. The corps played a significant role in the North African campaign, participating in key battles such as Tobruk, Gazala, and El Alamein. It was commanded by figures like General Erwin Rommel, who earned the nickname “Desert Fox” for his strategic prowess. The unit ceased operations in May 1943 after the Axis forces surrendered in Tunisia.
The situation in Libya in 2025
Libya, in North Africa, is the fourth-largest country in Africa and the sixteenth largest in the world, covering 1.76 million square kilometers (679,362 square miles). It’s about 4.9 times bigger than Germany. As of early 2025, Libya’s population is estimated to be around 7.2 million.
Libya’s political situation remains complex and divided. Since the fall of Muammar Qaddafi (ู ุนู ุฑ ุงููุฐุงูู) in 2011, the country has struggled to establish stable governance. Currently, Libya is split between two main rival factions:
- The Government of National Unity (ุญููููู ูุฉู ุงููููุญูุฏูุฉู ุงููููุทููููููุฉู) – GNU: This UN-recognized government is based in Tripoli and led by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh (ุนุจุฏ ุงูุญู ูุฏ ุงูุฏุจูุจุฉ). It was formed through a UN-supported process to unify the country after years of civil war.
- The Libyan National Army (ุงููุฌูููุดู ุงููููุทูููููู ุงูููููุจูููู) – (LNA): Led by Khalifa Haftar (ุฎูููุฉ ุญูุชุฑ), this faction controls the eastern part of Libya. Haftar’s forces have significant military power and are supported by various international allies.
Despite a ceasefire agreement in 2020, tensions and conflicts continue, with both sides vying for control and influence. The situation is further complicated by external actors and shifting alliances, making it difficult to achieve lasting peace and stability.
Section 2
ูุจุญุณุจ ุงูู ุชุฏุงูู ูููู ู ุตุงุฏุฑ ุนุณูุฑูุฉ ุชุญุฏุซุช ุฅูููุง “ุนุฑุจู21” ูุฅู “ู ุนุทู ุงูุณุงุฑุฉ ูู ุนุจุงุฑุฉ ุนู ูุงุนุฏุฉ ุนุณูุฑูุฉ ูุฏูู ุฉ ุนุฑูุช ุนูุฏู ุง ุงุณุชุฎุฏู ูุง ุงูุนููุฏ ุงูููุจู ุงูุฑุงุญู ู ุนู ุฑ ุงููุฐุงูู ุฎูุงู ุงูุญุฑุจ ู ุน ุชุดุงุฏุ ูุจุนุฏ ู ูุชู ุงููุฐุงูู ูุฅููุงุก ุญูู ู ุชุญููุช ุงููุงุนุฏุฉ ุฅูู ู ูุทูุฉ ู ูุฌูุฑุฉ ู ูุฐ 2011ุ ูุฃูู ููุง ุงููุงุฏุฉ ุงูุฌุฏุฏ ุจุนุฏ ุงูุซูุฑุฉ ุงูููุจูุฉ”.
ูู ุง ูุดูุช ุชูุงุฑูุฑ ู ุชุทุงุจูุฉุ ุฃู ุฑูุณูุง ูููุช ู ุนุฏูุงุช ุนุณูุฑูุฉ ู ุชุทูุฑุฉ ู ู ููุงุนุฏูุง ุจุณูุฑูุง ุฅูู ูุงุนุฏุฉ ูู ุงูุดุฑู ูุงูุฌููุจ ุงูููุจูุ ุงูุฎุงุถุนุฉ ูุณูุทุฑุฉ ููุงุช ุญูุชุฑุ ููุงู ุช ุจุชุนุฒูุฒ ุญุถูุฑูุง ูู ุฃูุฑูููุง.
ู ู ุฌูุชูุ ูุงู ุงูุจุงุญุซ ุงูููุจู ูู ุงูุฃู ู ุงูููู ู ูุงูุฎุจูุฑ ูู ุงูุดุคูู ุงูุนุณูุฑูุฉุ ู ุญู ุฏ ุงูุณููุณู ุฅู “ูุงุนุฏุฉ ุงูุณุงุฑุฉ ุงูุฌููุฉ ููุณุช ู ุฌุฑุฏ ูุงุนุฏุฉ ูู ุนู ู ุตุญุฑุงุก ุฌููุจ ุดุฑู ููุจูุงุ ุจู ุชู ุซู ุงุฑุชูุงุฒุง ุงุณุชุฑุงุชูุฌูุง ู ูู ุง ุนูู ู ุณุชูู ุงูุนู ููุงุช ุงูููุฌุณุชูุฉ ุฃู ุงููุชุงููุฉุ ูุญุชู ุงูุงุณุชุฎุจุงุฑุงุชูุฉ. ููููุง ูุฑูุจุฉ ู ู ู ุซูุซ ุญุฏูุฏู ูุดุฑู ุนูู ุซูุงุซ ุฏูู ุฌุงุฑุฉ ูููุจูุงุ ูู ู ุตุฑุ ูุงูุณูุฏุงูุ ูุชุดุงุฏ”.
According to the information and military sources who spoke to Arabi 21, “Ma’tan al-Sarra is an old military base, which became known when late Libyan Colonel Muammar Gaddafi used it during the war with Chad. After Gaddafi was killed and his regime was toppled, the base was abandoned in 2011, and neglected by the new leaders who came after the Libyan revolution”.
Corresponding reports have also revealed that Russia has transferred advanced military equipment from its bases in Syria to a base in eastern and southern Libya, controlled by Haftar’s forces, and has strengthened its presence in Africa.
Libyan researcher in national security and expert on military affairs Mohammed el-Senussi said: “The Ma’tan al-Sarra airbase is not just a base deep inside the desert in southeast Libya. It is an important strategic foothold for logistical or combat operations, even intelligence operations, seeing as how it is close to a border triangle between three of Libya’s neighboring states, i.e., Egypt, Sudan, and Chad.“
Deep dive: Ma’tan al-Sarra (ู ุนุทู ุงูุณุงุฑุฉ) – A deserted place at what feels like the end of the world
- Ma’tan al-Sarra (ู ุนุทู ุงูุณุงุฑุฉ) is an oasis situated in the Kufra District (ุดุนุจูุฉ ุงูููุฑุฉ) in the southeastern region of Libya (ููุจูุง).
- The word ู ูุนูุทููู denotes the resting place of camels, the place of camels where they lie down at the water.
- Located within the Libyan Desert (ุงูุตุญุฑุงุก ุงูููุจูุฉ), it lies approximately 322 kilometers (approximately 200 miles) southwest of Kufra (ุงูููุฑุฉ), an ancient oasis region.
- The name Kufra (ุงูููุฑุฉ) is believed to derive from the Arabic word “kafir” (ูุงูุฑ), meaning infidels, referring to the Toubou people native to the region. In his book The Road to Mecca, Muhammad Asad (born as Leopold Weiร) recounts the Italian seizure of Kufra in 1931, describing an attack from three sides with armored cars, artillery, and aircraft, which overwhelmed the defenders.
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- In recent decades, Kufra has become a significant transit point for African migrants attempting to reach Europe, with some being detained in its notorious prison.
- Historically, Ma’tan al-Sarra was a marginal oasis characterized by few palm trees and water of substandard quality. Notably, in 1811, its unique conditions facilitated the establishment of what is considered the last trans-Saharan caravan route.
- In 1934, the territory encompassing Ma’tan al-Sarra was ceded to Fascist Italy (ุฅูุทุงููุง ุงููุงุดูุฉ) by the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan (ุงูุณูุฏุงู ุงูุฃูุฌูู-ู ุตุฑู) as part of the Sarra Triangle.
- During the Chadian-Libyan conflict (ุงูุตุฑุงุน ุงูุชุดุงุฏู ุงูููุจู), which spanned from 1978 to 1987 and was primarily fueled by Libya’s territorial ambitions in northern Chad, Ma’tan al-Sarra served as a military base. It provided space for over 100 fighter planes. It is one of the 13 military airbases in Libya.
- Information regarding the current number of inhabitants of Ma’tan al-Sarra is not readily available.
Section 3
ูุฃูุถุญ ูู ุชุตุฑูุญุงุช ุฎุงุตุฉ ูู”ุนุฑุจู21″ ุฃู “ุฑูุณูุง ุชุฏุฑู ุงูุฃูู ูุฉ ุงูุงุณุชุฑุงุชูุฌูุฉ ูููุงุนุฏุฉุ ููู ุชูุจู ุงุญุชูุงุฌุงุช ุงููููู ุงูุฃูุฑููู ูููุงู ู ุนููู ุงุช ุชููุฏ ุจุชูุงุฌุฏ ุฑูุณู ูุงุนู ูู ุงููุงุนุฏุฉุ ู ุง ูุฌุนู ุฑูุณูุง ู ุชูุงุฌุฏุฉ ุนุณูุฑูุงู ุดุฑูุ ููุณุทุ ูุฌููุจ ุบุฑุจ ูุฌููุจ ุดุฑู ููุจูุงุ ู ุง ูุชูุญ ููุง ู ุฑููุฉ ูุจูุฑุฉ ูุฎูุงุฑุงุช ู ุซุงููุฉ ูู ุงูุญุฑูุฉ ูุงูู ูุงูุฑุฉ“ุ ููู ูููู.
ูุฃุถุงู: “ุฃู ุง ููู ุง ูุชุนูู ุจุงุณุชู ุฑุงุฑ ุญูุชุฑ ูู ุชูุณูุน ุชุญุงููู ู ุน ุฑูุณูุงุ ูู ุชูุฏูุฑู ุงูุนูุงูุฉ ุจูู ุงูุทุฑููู ูู ุนูุงูุฉ ูู ุชุตู ููู ุณุชูู ุงูุงุณุชุฑุงุชูุฌู ุจุนุฏุ ูููู ูุฐุง ูุง ูููู ููู ุงูุนูุงูุฉ ู ูู ุฉ ุนูู ุงูู ุณุชูู ุงูุนุณูุฑู ุชุณููุญุงู ูุชุฏุฑูุจุง“.
ูุฃูุฏ ุงูุณููุณู ุฃู “ุฑูุณูุง ุฃุซุจุชุช ุฌุฏูุฉ ูู ุงูุชุนุงู ู ู ุน ุญูุชุฑุ ุจุนูุณ ุงูุบุฑุจุ ููู ุฐุงุช ุงูููุช ุญูุชุฑ ูุญุงูู ุฃู ูุฏูุฑ ุงูู ุชูุงูุถุงุชุ ููููู ููุบุฑุจ ุฅู ุง ุฃู ุชุนุชุฑููุง ุจุฃูู ุฑุฌู ููุจูุง ุงูููู ุงููุงุฏุฑ ุนูู ุงูุญูู ูุชุชุนุงู ููุง ู ุนู ุนูู ูุฐุง ุงูุฃุณุงุณ ุฃู ุณุฃุทูุฑ ุนูุงูุชู ุจุฑูุณูุง ูุญููุงุฆูุง ู ุณุชุบูุงู ุญุงูุฉ ุงูุงุฑุชุจุงู ุงูุงุณุชุฑุงุชูุฌู ุงูุฐู ูุดูุฏู ุงูุบุฑุจ ูู ูุฐู ุงูู ุฑุญูุฉุ ูุฐุง ู ู ุฌุงูุจ”.
He added in exclusive statements to Arabi 21: “Russia is aware of the strategic importance of the base, which meets the needs of the African Corps. There is also information talking about an active Russian presence in the base, which makes Russia militarily present in east, central, southwest, and southeast Libya, thus giving it greater flexibility and ideal action and maneuvering options.
He continued: “On the other hand, Haftar is continuing to widen his alliance with Russia. But in my opinion, the relationship between the two sides has not reached a strategic level, though this does not deny the fact that it is important on the military level in terms of armament and training.”
Unlike the West, Russia confirmed its seriousness in dealing with Haftar, which is in turn trying to manage the contradictions and saying to the West: Either you recognize me as the strong man of Libya capable of governing and deal with me accordingly, or I will develop my relationship with Russia and its allies, exploiting the strategic confusion the West is experiencing at this stage.”
Section 4
ูู ุญูู ุฑุฃู ุงูุจุงุญุซ ุงูุฑูุณู ุจู ุฑูุฒ ุงูุฏุฑุงุณุงุช ุงูุนุฑุจูุฉ ุงูุฃูุฑุงุณูุฉุ ุฏูู ุชุฑู ุจุฑูุฏุฌูู ุฃู “ุชุญุฑูุงุช ุฑูุณูุง ูุฅูุดุงุก ูุงุนุฏุฉ ุฌููุฉ ูู ู ุนุทู ุงูุณุงุฑุฉ ุจุฌููุจ ููุจูุง ุชุนูุณ ุงุณุชุฑุงุชูุฌูุฉ ุทูููุฉ ุงูุฃู ุฏ ุชูุฏู ุฅูู ุชุนุฒูุฒ ุงููููุฐ ุงูุฑูุณู ูู ุดู ุงู ุฃูุฑูููุง ูุงูุณุงุญู ุงูุฃูุฑูููุ ู ุณุชููุฏุฉ ู ู ุงููุฑุงุบ ุงูุฌููุณูุงุณู ุงูุฐู ุชุฑูู ุงูุบุฑุจ ุจุณุจุจ ุชุฑุงุฌุนู ุงููุณุจู ูู ุงูุชุนุงู ู ู ุน ุงูู ููุงุช ุงูุฃูุฑูููุฉ”.
“โฆูู ูุณูู ูุทุงูู ุง ุงุณุชุฎุฏู ุช ุดุฑูุงุช ุนุณูุฑูุฉ ุฎุงุตุฉ ููุฌูุฏูุง ุบูุฑ ุฑุณู ู ูุชุญููู ุฃูุฏุงููุง ุฏูู ุงูุงุถุทุฑุงุฑ ุฅูู ู ูุงุฌูุฉ ู ุจุงุดุฑุฉ ู ุน ุงูููู ุงูุบุฑุจูุฉุ ูู ุน ุงุฒุฏูุงุฏ ุงูุชูุชุฑุงุช ุจูู ุฑูุณูุง ูุงูุบุฑุจ ูู ุนุฏุฉ ุฌุจูุงุชุ ูุฅู ุชุญููู ููุจูุง ุฅูู ููุทุฉ ุงุฑุชูุงุฒ ูุนู ููุงุช ุฑูุณูุฉ ูู ุฃูุฑูููุง ุณูููู ุฎุทูุฉ ุทุจูุนูุฉ ุชุชู ุงุดู ู ุน ุงุณุชุฑุงุชูุฌูุฉ ู ูุณูู ูู ุชูุณูุน ุฏุงุฆุฑุฉ ูููุฐูุง ุฏูู ุงูุงูุฎุฑุงุท ูู ู ูุงุฌูุงุช ู ุจุงุดุฑุฉ ู ุน ุงููุงุชู”ุ ูู ุง ุฑุฃู.
ูุชุงุจุน ูู”ุนุฑุจู21″: “ู ู ุงููุงุญูุฉ ุงูู ุณุชูุจููุฉุ ุฅุฐุง ู ุถุช ุฑูุณูุง ูุฏู ูุง ูู ุชุฑุณูุฎ ูุฌูุฏูุง ุงูุนุณูุฑู ูู ุงูุฌููุจ ุงูููุจูุ ูุณูุดูุฏ ุชุบูุฑูุง ูู ู ูุงุฒูู ุงูููู ุงูุฅูููู ูุฉุ ุญูุซ ุณุชู ุชูู ู ูุณูู ููุทุฉ ุชุฃุซูุฑ ุฑุฆูุณูุฉ ุจุงููุฑุจ ู ู ุฃูุฑูุจุงุ ููุฑูุจุฉ ู ู ู ูุงุทู ุงููุฒุงุน ูู ุงูุณุงุญู ุงูุฃูุฑูููุ ู ู ุง ูุฏ ูุคุฏู ุฅูู ุฑุฏูุฏ ูุนู ุฃูุซุฑ ุญุฏุฉ ู ู ูุจู ูุงุดูุทู ูุญููุงุฆูุง ุงูุฃูุฑูุจููู”.
As for Russian researcher at the Center for Arab-Eurasian Studies Dmitry Bridzhe, he believes that “Russiaโs establishment of an airbase in Maโtan al-Sarra reflects a long-term strategy to strengthen Russian influence in Africa and the African Sahel, thus capitalizing on the geopolitical vacuum left by the West, which has relatively pulled away from dealing with the African files”.
“โฆMoscow has long used private military companies and an unofficial presence to achieve its goals without having to confront Western powers directly. With tensions between Russia and the West increasing on several fronts, turning Libya into a focal point for Russian operations in Africa would be a natural step in line with Moscow’s strategy of expanding its sphere of influence without engaging in direct confrontations with NATO”, he said.
He added in exclusive statements to Arabi 21: “In the future, if Russia moves forward with strengthening its military presence in southern Libya, we will witness a shift in the regional balance of powers, seeing as how Moscow will have a key point of influence near Europe and the conflict areas in the African Sahel, which might lead to fiercer responses from Washington and its European allies.”
Vocabulary list
If you are unfamiliar with the verb system used in the Hans Wehr dictionary (Roman numerals, I-X), click here for a short and simplified overview.
Part 1: Analysis of a headline
The following vocabulary list covers the yellow-marked words we saw in the headlines.
| ARABIC | EXPLANATION |
|---|---|
| ุฑูู ููู ู – ููุฑูู ููู ู | to repair, to restore, to renovate. II-verb. The verbal noun (ู ูุตูุฏูุฑู) is ุชูุฑูู ููู ู which means renovation. For example: The workers are repairing the old building (ููุฑูู ููู ู ุงููุนูู ููุงูู ุงููู ูุจูููู ุงููููุฏููู ู). |
| ุฃูุนููููู | more violent, most violent; fiercer, fiercest. This is the masculine comparative and superlative form – elative (ุงูุณูู ู ุงูุชููููุถูููู) – of ุนูููููู (violent), using the pattern ุฃูููุนููู. For example: The region witnessed confrontations more violent than before (ุดูููุฏูุชู ุงููู ูููุทูููุฉู ู ููุงุฌููุงุชู ุฃูุนููููู ู ููู ุฐูู ููุจููู). |
| ุญูู ูููู – ููุญูู ูููู | to load; to burden; to upload; figuratively: to pass to. II-verb. For example: to give somebody the responsibility; to pass on the responsibility to somebody (ุญูู ูููู ุดูุฎูุตูุง ุงููู ูุณูุคููููููุฉู). |
| ุงูููููููุงุฑู pl: ุงูููููููุงุฑูุงุชู | collapse, breakdown, crash. This is the verbal noun (ู ูุตูุฏูุฑู) of the VII-verb ุงูููููุงุฑู – ููููููุงุฑู (root: ู-ู-ุฑ) which means to collapse. For example: A collapse occurred in the global stock market (ุญูุฏูุซู ุงููููููุงุฑู ููู ุณูููู ุงููุฃูุณูููู ู ุงููุนุงููู ููููุฉู). |
| ููุฏูููุฉู pl: ููุฏููู or ููุฏููุงุชู or ููุฏููุงุชู | truce, ceasefire. For example: A truce was reached between the two conflicting parties (ุชูู ูู ุงูุชููููุตูููู ุฅูููู ููุฏูููุฉู ุจููููู ุงููููุฑูููููููู ุงููู ูุชูููุงุฒูุนููููู). See Media Arabic Booster 04-24 |
| ุฅูุฏูุงููุฉู pl: ุฅูุฏูุงููุงุชู | condemnation. ุฅูุฏูุงููุฉู is the verbal noun (ู ูุตูุฏูุฑู) of the IV-verb ุฃูุฏูุงูู โ ููุฏูููู (root: ุฏ-ู-ู) which means to condemn. For example: There were widespread condemnations of the attacks (ุตูุฏูุฑูุชู ุฅูุฏุงูุงุชู ูุงุณูุนูุฉู ุงููููุทุงูู ููููููุฌูู ุงุชู). See Media Arabic Booster 11-23 |
| ARABIC | EXPLANATION |
|---|---|
| ู
ูุนูุฏูููู pl: ู ูุนูุฏููููุงุชู | rate, average. This is the passive participle (ุงูุณูู
ู ุงููู
ูููุนูููู) of the II-verb ุนูุฏูููู โ ููุนูุฏูููู (to adjust, to modify, to regulate). The passive participle, in its core meaning, denotes altered, modified. See Media Arabic Booster 12-23. For example: The country’s unemployment rate has risen (ุงูุฑูุชูููุนู ู ูุนูุฏูููู ุงููุจูุทูุงููุฉู ููู ุงููุจูููุงุฏู). More examples: marriage rate (ู ูุนูุฏูููู ุงูุฒูููุฌุงุชู), interest rate (ู ูุนูุฏูููู ุงูููุงุฆูุฏูุฉู), mortality rate (ู ูุนูุฏูููู ุงูููููููุงุชู), discount rate (ู ูุนูุฏูููู ุงููุฎูุตูู ู), inflation rate (ู ูุนูุฏูููู ุงูุชููุถูุฎููู ู), reproduction rate (ู ูุนูุฏูููู ุงูุชูููุงุซูุฑู), error rate (ู ูุนูุฏูููู ุงููุฃูุฎูุทุงุกู), birth rate (ู ูุนูุฏูููู ุงููู ููุงูููุฏู) |
| ุชูุถูุฎููู ู | inflation. This is the verbal noun (ู ูุตูุฏูุฑู) of the V-verb ุชูุถูุฎููู ู โ ููุชูุถูุฎููู ู which means to expand, to swell. For example: currency depreciation (ุชูุถูุฎููู ู ู ุงููููู). The country suffers from the problem of inflation (ููุนูุงููู ุงููุจูููุฏู ู ููู ู ูุดูููููุฉู ุงูุชููุถูุฎููู ู). |
| ุชูุฑูุงุฌูุนู – ููุชูุฑูุงุฌูุนู | to retreat to, to fall back to, to decline to. VI-verb. The verbal noun (ู ูุตูุฏูุฑู) is ุชูุฑูุงุฌูุนู. With the preposition ุนููู, the verb often denotes to revoke, to withdraw (ุชููุงุฒููู). For example: The price of gold is declining to settle at a lower level (ููุชูุฑูุงุฌูุนู ุณูุนูุฑู ุงูุฐููููุจู ููููุณูุชูููุฑูู ุนูููุฏู ู ูุณูุชูููู ุฃูุฏูููู). |
| ุงูููุฎูููุถู โ ููููุฎูููุถู | to decrease to, to diminish; to be reduced. VII-verb. The verbal noun (ู ูุตูุฏูุฑู) is ุงูููุฎูููุงุถู. For example: The interest rate is decreasing to reach 2% (ููููุฎูููุถู ู ูุนูุฏูููู ุงูููุงุฆูุฏูุฉู ุฅูููู ุงูุซููููููู ุจูุงููู ูุงุฆูุฉู). |
| ุฎูุจููุฑู pl: ุฎูุจูุฑุงุกู | expert; experienced (in = ุจู). It is the quasi participle (ุตููุฉู ู ูุดูุจูููุฉู), based on the I-verb ุฎูุจูุฑู – ููุฎูุจูุฑู ุจู, which means to know thoroughly. For example: The experts provide a detailed analysis of the economic situation (ููููุฏููู ู ุงููุฎูุจูุฑุงุกู ุชูุญููููููุง ู ูููุตููููุง ููููููุถูุนู ุงููุงูููุชูุตุงุฏูููู). |
| ุชูุฃูุซููุฑู pl: ุชูุฃูุซููุฑูุงุชู | effect, impact, influence. This is the verbal noun (ู ูุตูุฏูุฑู) of the II-verb ุฃูุซููุฑู – ููุคูุซููุฑู which means to affect, to influence. For example: positive effect (ุชูุฃูุซููุฑู ุฅููุฌุงุจูููู); negative effect (ุชูุฃูุซููุฑู ุณูููุจูููู). The war has a significant impact on the economy (ููููุญูุฑูุจู ุชูุฃูุซููุฑู ููุจููุฑู ุนูููู ุงูุงูููุชูุตูุงุฏู). |
| ูุงุฆูุฏุฉู pl: ูููุงุฆูุฏู | interest, returns; general meaning: benefit, purpose, usefulness. Root: ู-ู-ุฏ. Interest rate is ุณูุนูุฑู ุงูููุงุฆูุฏูุฉู or ู ูุนูุฏูููู ุงูููุงุฆูุฏูุฉู or ููุณูุจูุฉู ุงูููุงุฆูุฏูุฉู. Other examples: There’s no use in that (ูุง ูุงุฆูุฏูุฉู ู ููู ุฐูฐูููู). The interest rate has gone up (ุงูุฑูุชูููุนู ู ูุนูุฏูููู ุงูููุงุฆูุฏูุฉู); has gone down (ุงูููุฎูููุถู ู ูุนูุฏูููู ุงูููุงุฆูุฏูุฉู). See also Media Arabic Booster 11-24. |
| ู ูุฑูููุฒููู | central; centralized. Nisba adjective (ููุณูุจุฉู) of the noun ู ูุฑูููุฒู which means center. For example: the central bank (ุงููู ูุตูุฑููู ุงููู ูุฑูููุฒูููู); centrifugal force (ูููููุฉู ุงูุทููุฑูุฏู ุงููู ูุฑูููุฒูููู); central location (ู ูููููุนู ู ูุฑูููุฒูููู). The central bank plays an important role in the economy (ูููููู ู ุงููุจููููู ุงููู ูุฑูููุฒูููู ุจูุฏูููุฑู ูุงู ูู ููู ุงููุงูููุชูุตุงุฏู). |
Part 2: Translation of an article
We will now conduct a detailed analysis of all the highlighted terms from the preceding article
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Media Arabic Booster 03-25
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All the Arabic words from Media Arabic Booster, episode 03-25.
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Driรner, G. (2025, March 31). Egypt’s Inflation and Russia’s Libyan Strategy | Media Arabic Booster 03/25. Arabic for Nerds. https://arabic-for-nerds.com/learners-corner/media-arabic-booster/media-arabic-booster-03-25/
Published: March 31, 2025
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Publication ISSN: 3055-1730
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