During this shameful and chaotic period of my country’s history, it occurred to me that a former student from my teaching days in St. Petersburg, Florida might have some insights into American culture and behaviour. Mohammed Maher is the US correspondent for Egypt’s Al-Masry Al-Youm newspaper and the UAE’s Al-Ain News. He cheerfully agreed to the following interview, which I conducted by email from Maine to Florida.
BR: Mohamed, thanks so much for agreeing to this email interview! And congratulations on your book. What were your hopes and goals when you first arrived as a young journalist to the United States?
MM: When I moved to the US in 2018, in my early thirties, my main goal was not to rediscover the political America that many already know, but to understand the country’s deeper cultural and human core. After spending several years living and working between Washington, D.C. and New York, I deliberately chose to move to Florida, believing that the true spirit of nations is found in everyday life, culture, arts, food, and local communities – not only in politics or power centres.
One of my long-standing dreams was to get close to NASA, cover its work from the ground, and conduct in-depth interviews with real astronauts and scientists. I was fortunate to visit NASA multiple times and interview astronauts Steve Bowen, Jonny Kim, and Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper. These experiences reinforced my belief that international affairs journalists in particular need rich, lived international exposure beyond academic study. This journey ultimately led to the publication of my first book, New York – Florida.
BR: What surprised you the most about Americans and life here during your first months?
MM: What surprised me most was how genuinely friendly and kind Americans are. People here are generally willing to help in one way or another, something that is hard to imagine before visiting the States. Outside perceptions of America are often shaped by its foreign policy, but once you set politics aside, everyday life reveals a society that is open, welcoming, and remarkably warm on a human level.
In my early months, I used Couchsurfing.com, which played a huge role in shaping my experience. It allowed me to meet travellers who shared the same curiosity and passion for discovery, and I met truly wonderful people – including a family that hosted me in Tennessee and another that welcomed me in St. Augustine, and St. Petersburg, Florida. These human encounters showed me that beyond politics, everyday American life is open, warm, and deeply welcoming on a personal level.
BR: Did your education prepare you for navigating life here, and understanding our political system? Have you seen an erosion in the democratic process and the relationship between our two main parties, and the ability to pass constructive legislation? What are the consequences for other nations around the world?
MM: My education helped of course, but it was not enough on its own to understand life in the United States or how its political system truly works. Practical, lived experience is the best teacher. For journalists and writers, continuous learning is essential; education is a foundation, not the whole journey.
Regarding democracy, if you had asked me this question several years ago, my answer would have been more optimistic. Today, I am more cautious. Political polarization has clearly deepened, cooperation between the two main parties has weakened, and passing constructive legislation has become more difficult. We are living through a moment of global transformation: the international order that emerged after World War II is changing, and the United States itself is changing with it. My greatest hope is that this transition does not lead to major global wars.
BR: What is your proudest accomplishment while here? Who are the most interesting politicians you met, and why?
MM: My proudest accomplishment in the US is, of course, my body of reporting and stories, but above all my book New York – Florida, which I see as a personal milestone – almost like a child to me. I am also especially proud of my space coverage and my in-depth interviews with NASA astronauts; journalism is a lasting passion for me, but space is a different kind of passion altogether.
Among the most interesting figures I interviewed were John W. Raymond, former Chief of Space Operations of the U.S. Space Force, and Charles Frank Bolden Jr., former NASA Administrator. Both offered rare, firsthand perspectives on space, leadership, and America’s role beyond Earth.
BR: What message does your book New York – Florida convey? Are you planning another one?
MM: My book New York – Florida conveys that America’s true identity lies beyond politics and institutions. As highlighted in the Egyptian Streets review, the book presents an intimate, human portrait of the United States through everyday encounters, lived experiences, and personal observations – revealing an America shaped by stories, people, and cultural diversity rather than headlines or power centres. (Egyptian Streets book review).
Yes, I am currently working on another book titled From Coast to Coast, based on a month-long road trip with friends from St. Augustine, Florida, to San Francisco, California. It follows the journey of an Egyptian journalist discovering unseen worlds and unheard stories across the United States – reflecting my belief that America’s real greatness lives in its people, its stories, and the quiet narratives found around every corner.
BR: Do you have any thoughts to share on how Israel and Palestine can reach peaceful coexistence?
MM: I believe we are currently very far from genuine peaceful coexistence. At this stage, the realistic goal is simply coexistence, while preserving some hope that peace may one day be possible. After the scale of destruction and violence, and with extremists on all sides, it is difficult to imagine what real peace would look like.
The two-state solution may still offer people a sense of hope and a political horizon, encouraging ordinary people to believe that a peaceful resolution to a conflict that began in 1948 is possible. However, I do not expect peace anytime soon, especially under the current extremist government in Israel.
BR: What’s next for you?
MM: I believe I am ready to start a different experience in a new place soon. I still value being in the US, but given current global and domestic developments, I feel it may be the right time to begin a new chapter – possibly in Canada or Australia or even UAE. I may return to the States one day, or I may not; that decision will ultimately depend on how things evolve in the future.
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