How to Use
Merlows
Your guide to navigating independent diplomatic journalism — from breaking dispatches to deep-context analysis.
Zones
Articles
Assistant
Your Dashboard
A signed-in reader gets a personalised control panel — save articles, track what you've read, and manage your profile.
Sign In or Register
Click My Dashboard in the header. New readers can register with Google (one click) or create an email account. Existing readers sign in directly.
Save Articles
On any article page, click the bookmark icon (top-right of the article) to save it. Saved articles appear in the Saved tab of your dashboard, sorted by date.
Reading History
The dashboard automatically tracks articles you've opened. Use this to pick up where you left off or revisit context before a new development breaks.
Manage Your Profile
Update your display name, email preferences, and notification settings from the Profile tab. Toggle which categories trigger your email digest.
Writing for Merlows
Merlows is a resource for contributors. Use the site's coverage, categories, and editorial context to inform and shape your own articles — then submit them for review.
Browse existing Diplomatic Analysis, Op-Eds, and Regional Voices pieces to understand the tone, depth, and angle Merlows publishes.
Use search to find background on the Cyrus Accord, Abraham Accords, and regional actors. Build on what's already been published, not over it.
Use the Ask the AI tool to get context on events, treaties, and key actors before you start writing.
Pick the coverage zone that fits your piece — Breaking News, Diplomatic Analysis, Op-Ed, Cyrus Accord, Abraham Accords, or Regional Voices. Read the format guide in Section 4 below.
Draft in your own editor. Follow the word-count and tone guidelines for your chosen category. British English, clear sourcing, and a constructive framing are editorial requirements.
Send your draft, a one-paragraph pitch, your full name, and any relevant credentials to the editorial team via the Contact Us page.
The Merlows team reviews all submissions for factual accuracy, editorial fit, and tone. You'll receive feedback or a publication date within five business days.
First-time contributor? Read two or three pieces in your chosen category before writing. Merlows prizes analysis over narration — explain why something matters, not just what happened.
Coverage Areas
Six distinct editorial zones, each with its own format, cadence, and audience.
Breaking News
350–500 word dispatches published as events unfold. Structured around lede, background, and what's next. Updated continuously.
Diplomatic Analysis
800–1,100 word measured examinations of geopolitical developments — historical context, key actors, implications. Published 2–3× weekly.
Cyrus Accord Updates
Authoritative 1,000–1,400 word coverage of the Cyrus Accord's current status, key provisions, and regional impact. The most formal voice in the portfolio.
Abraham Accords
600–900 word balanced context-rich reporting on normalisation progress, challenges, and the path forward across signatory states.
Op‑Eds & Commentary
700–900 word persuasive, hopeful pieces from regional experts, diplomats, and civil society. We welcome submissions.
Regional Voices
500–700 word accessible human stories — local perspectives, cultural context, and the lived meaning of diplomatic change.
Your Account & Newsletter
Manage your relationship with Merlows — from notification preferences to the daily diplomatic digest.
Account Settings
Access your account settings from the My Dashboard → Profile tab. From there you can:
- Update your display name and email
- Change or reset your password
- Connect or disconnect your Google account
- Delete your account and associated data
The Merlows Digest
Our daily briefing lands in your inbox each morning — curated editorial highlights, overnight developments, and one analyst's take on what matters. Subscribe via the footer form or from your Dashboard.
Frequency options: Daily · Weekly Round-up · Breaking Only
Ask the AI
Merlows includes an AI research assistant trained on the site's editorial archive and Middle East diplomatic context.
- "What are the key provisions of the Cyrus Accord?"
- "Explain the history of the Abraham Accords in plain language"
- "Which countries have signed normalisation agreements with Israel?"
- "Summarise recent Iranian diplomatic activity"
- "What is the significance of the Negev Forum?"
The AI draws on Merlows editorial content and reputable external sources. Always verify critical facts independently before publication.
Conversations are not stored. Each session starts fresh. Your queries are not used to train the model.