Middle East Forum

02/19/2025

The calls to dismantle stem from real concerns, but the consequences of such a move could be catastrophic. From Amine Ayoub.

The Calls to Dismantle USAID Stem from Real Concerns, but the Consequences of Such a Move Could Be Catastrophic.

02/19/2025

An interview by provides insider testimony on defections, foreign influence, the fall of , and the Syrian regime's collapse.

https://www.meforum.org/mef-online/the-northwest-syria-battles-and-the-local-defence-forces-interview

02/19/2025

Limiting 's ability to challenge and in the air would ensure regional stability and security. From Babak Taghvaee.

Limiting Turkey’s Ability to Challenge Greece and Israel in the Air Would Ensure Regional Stability and Security

02/19/2025

Since Gaddafi's assassination, warlords, extremists, and foreign powers have exploited 's instability, fueling terrorism, migration crises, and Russian expansion, endangering US allies and global stability. From Amine Ayoub.

Since Gaddafi’s 2011 Assassination, Warlords, Extremists, and Foreign Powers Have Exploited Libya’s Instability, Fueling Terrorism, Migration Crises, and Russian Expansion; These Threats Endanger US Allies and Global Stability, Requiring Urgent Action.

02/19/2025

If is serious about forging a solution to , then it must address contradictions in its relationship with . From Hussein Aboubakr Mansour.

If Washington Is Serious About Forging a Solution to Gaza, Then It Must Address Contradictions in Its Relationship With Doha.

02/18/2025

A native Syrian Shi‘i and former soldier reflects on his time in the Iranian-backed militia al-Ghalibun and the Syrian army. From Aymenn Jawad al-Tamimi

A native Syrian Shi‘i and former soldier reflects on his time in the Iranian-backed militia al-Ghalibun and the Syrian army, exposing corruption, disillusionment, and shifting sectarian dynamics in the wake of Assad’s downfall.

02/18/2025

's government is manipulating the U.S. legal system to spy on and harass its critics. From Abdullah Bozkurt.

Erdoğan's Government is Manipulating the U.S. Legal System to Spy on and Harass Its Critics.

02/18/2025

Dalia al-Aqidi at Arab News: "Beyond these direct grants, billions of taxpayer dollars have been funneled into major US aid orgs that, according to the Middle East Forum, have repeatedly failed to screen their local partners for terrorist ties."

Since his return to the White House, US President Donald Trump has introduced sweeping changes to both domestic and foreign policy. His administration has moved swiftly, making key Cabinet appointments, outlining new strategic plans and, as is often the case in politics, facing its share of controve...

02/18/2025

An interview with a prisoner who spent six years in 's prisons until the recent overthrow of the regime. From Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi.

If you are Syrian or spent years following the war, the chances are that you know of someone who was imprisoned by the former regime. In cases of people accused of ‘terrorism’, the person’s ultimate fate very much feels like matter of sheer luck. With the fall of the Assad regime, some have ma...

02/18/2025

Why engaging in diplomacy with jihadist groups like the and risks legitimizing extremism and inspires future insurgencies. From Amine Ayoub.

In Some Cases, Media Narratives Have Shifted to Focus on Pragmatism Rather Than Ideology, Portraying Engagement With Such Groups as a Necessary Evil Rather Than a Strategic Risk.

02/17/2025

: You can watch our podcast episode "The Shift Towards Post-Islamism" with Hussein Aboubakr Mansour here:

Islamism may appear to be in decline in the Middle East but it is adapting. Movements that once sought caliphates have shifted their strategies, sometimes, s...

02/17/2025

Canceling Peshmerga reform in keeps divided, enables tribalism, and gives militias the upper hand. The U.S. must stop funding failure—no nonpartisan unification, no aid. From Kamal Chomani.

Kurds Deserve Democracy, and That Is an Illusion If Two Political Parties Sustain Control over Militias

02/17/2025

New Jersey Rep. Tom Kean cites MEF’s report during House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing:

"It’s time that we commit to cutting waste, fraud and
abuse, and government funding on programs
and initiatives that do not align with American values."

02/17/2025

Thanks to a generous contribution from an anonymous donor, we are able to offer 20 general admission tickets to our 2025 policy conference at a discounted rate of $550. These tickets are first-come, first-served – get yours now!

02/17/2025

Today at 1:00PM ET, join MEF for a podcast with Hussein Aboubakr Mansour who will be discussing the shift towards 'Post-Islamism.'

Register at the link below and have your questions answered live:

Islamism may appear to be in decline in the Middle East but it is adapting. Movements that once sought caliphates have shifted their strategies, sometimes, shedding overt ideological commitments in favor of pragmatic governance. The recent transformation of Hayʼat Tahrir al-Sham in Syria offers a c...

02/15/2025

Senator Rick Scott cites MEF's report at today's Senate Homeland Security Committee.

02/14/2025

The first step to defeating the is cutting off the supply of ’s weapons. Trump is right to ground his policy in reality over fantasy, and Yemenis are ready to see the Houthis meet the same fate as . From Michael Rubin.

Trump Is Correct to Calibrate Policy to Reality Rather than Wishful Thinking. Yemen Would Be a Good Place to Start

02/14/2025

An in-depth report of MEF's report by The Exposé:

The Middle East Forum’s publication, Focus on Western Islamism, has uncovered $164 million in approved grants from USAID to radical organisations, including at least $122 million to groups al…