I founded the Forum in 1994 with a vision to promote American interests in and defend Western values from the Middle East. That mission remains firmly in place.
The Forum began with the Middle East Quarterly. Existing journals overlooked or undermined American interests and values, so we responded with a robust, unapologetic defense of those same interests and values.
The 14 months since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel shows just how much the scope and impact of our work has grown immeasurably. Led by Gregg Roman, MEF activities span research, communications, advocacy, and initiatives. The Hamas attack and its consequences underscore the need for moral clarity, engagement, and effective activism. Some details:
- The newly-launched MEF Observer edited by Michael Rubin offers real-time analyses, exposes jihad-financing networks, reveals intelligence failures, and outlines actionable solutions with an eye to helping policymakers and thought leaders. In just the last seven months, it published over 130 pieces, reinforcing MEF's reputation as a trusted resource for policymakers and thought leaders navigating complex issues.
- Jim Hanson headlines our presence on national television with many appearances on Fox News.
- The Iran Freedom Project developed strategies in 2024 to counter Iran's regional hegemony, advocate for democratic change, and dismantle economic lifelines of the regime with targeted sanctions, maritime interdictions, and by other creative mechanisms.
- Alex Selsky and Ashley Perry have given the Israel Victory Project new prominence; just note how many times Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has invoked this idea.
- Islamist Watch and Focus on Western Islamism, both under Sam Westrop's leadership, provide detailed and bold analysis of the lawful Islamist effort to turn the West into the abode of Islam.
- MEF Action, led by Benjamin Baird, has influenced legislation at the state and federal levels, from Alabama's designation of Qatar as a foreign adversary and Maryland's removal of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) from its Hate Crimes Commission to securing military aid to Israel and sanctions on Iran.
- Campus Watch, directed by Winfield Myers, maintained its role as a key watchdog in academia by exposing antisemitism and bias in Middle East studies programs. In 2024, it spearheaded investigations into federal funding misuse, amplified awareness of extremist rhetoric by professors, and influenced legislative discussions on academic transparency.
- MEF fellows and staff authored over 700 articles in 2024, covering topics ranging from Middle Eastern geopolitics to Islamist influence in the West.
- We relaunched MEForum.org, featuring real-time updates, mobile optimization, and advanced search tools powered by Brightspot CMS. It also supports multimedia content, interactive elements, and streamlined navigation, offering policymakers and the public easier access to MEF's expansive resources.
Looking ahead at the Middle East, its endemic issues – extremism, autocracy, unsettled borders – endure, but hopeful trends also exist, such as the waning influence of Islamism and growing ties between Arab states and Israel.
Looking ahead at MEF, I am exhilarated by the skill, passion, and dedication of the younger generation. Together with the trust of our audience and generosity of our donors, I am confident we will promote American interests and protect Western values.
 Some of the Middle East Forum staff. |
To those donors: I extend my deepest gratitude for your steadfast support, which enables us to operate on an annual budget of $5 million, employ 25 staff, and 35 fellows. I hope you continue to endorse the results.
In conclusion, having recently passed my 75th birthday, I remain MEF's president, but have pulled back from daily operations, which Gregg Roman now oversees. I look forward to a long and mutually beneficial connection to the Forum.
