The story: A Lebanese-Emirati TV personality has ignited controversy by tracing the destitution in Gaza and the prosperity of Gulf Arab states to the pursuit of different ideologies. The debate has entailed Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) being accused of not doing enough for Palestinians. However, the idea of “two Middle Easts” is not new. Many observers have long seen two competing models vying for regional influence, pitting Iran and political Islam against Abu Dhabi and Riyadh.

The coverage: Sky News Arabia General Manager Nadim Koteich on Mar. 25 compared the poverty and destruction in places like the Gaza Strip with the wealth and development in Gulf Arab states, highlighting ideological inclinations as...