About
The Middle East Forum Observer

The Middle East Forum Observer was founded in 2024 and provides rapid analysis on leading Middle East developments, from Marrakech to Mashhad and the Bab el-Mandeb to the Black Sea.

More than just an outlet for opinion and opeds, the Observer explores topics in greater depth than American newspapers or opinion essays, often drawing upon primary language research or technical expertise on topics like shipping, aircraft leasing, or counter-terrorism finance. Policymakers and intelligence analysts not only in the United States and Europe, but also across the Middle East regularly read Observer articles. Newspapers and policy journals from Israel to Iran excerpt and debate the Observer’s takes.

As with the Middle East Quarterly, Middle East Forum Observer is open access. All content is available without charge. The Middle East Forum Observer allows reposts of its articles as an integral whole with a citation that includes author, date, title, publication and original URL.

More from MEF
FWI News
Ex-Human Rights Chief Sues Canadian Muslim Organization for Defamation
Case Could Subject ‘Islamophobia’ Charge to Badly Needed Scrutiny
May 1, 2025
 · 
Joe Adam George
An Iran Air Airbus A310 widebody passenger airplane takes off.
Middle East Forum Observer
How Iran Circumvents Sanctions via Indonesia
Iranian Airlines Use Indonesian Companies to Smuggle Passenger and Cargo Aircraft for Commercial and Military Use
May 1, 2025
 · 
Babak Taghvaee
Regulators in the United Kingdom are giving a charity with close ties the Islamic Republic of Iran free rein. Despite a growing body of evidence, the U.K. Charity Commission has dragged its feet in shutting down Labaik Ya Zahra, a charity whose trustee, Syeda Umme Farwa, has expressed support for the regime's founder, Ayatollah Khoemeni.
FWI Opinion & Interview
When Will U.K. Charity Commission Act Against Pro-Iran Charity?
Charity Promotes Iranian Extremism Without Consequence
April 30, 2025
 · 
Potkin Azarmehr
The Druze minority in Syria come under constant attack by Islamists who consider them to be 'infidels.'
Middle East Forum Online
The Recent Violence Against Druze in Syria
Sunni Militants Attack Druze in Damascus Suburbs, Triggered by ‘Blasphemous’ Audio Clip
April 30, 2025
 · 
Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi
Marwan Muhammad Abu Ras, a high-ranking Hamas figure.
Middle East Forum Online
Turkey Hosts Hamas Official Calling for Israel’s Destruction, Arming of Qassam Brigades
Hamas Leader’s Call for Arms and Funds in Turkey Signals Deepening Ties with Erdogan’s Islamist Regime
April 30, 2025
 · 
Abdullah Bozkurt
Ahnaf Kalam
Middle East Forum Online
Israel’s Multi-Front War—and What Comes Next
Israel Has for the Last 18 Months Been Engaged in a War on Seven Fronts Against a Single Enemy
April 30, 2025
 · 
Jonathan Spyer
Qamishli, Syria, was the site of a Kurdish convention to unveil a shared vision for their future.
Middle East Forum Observer
Is Kurdish Unity in Syria Finally Within Reach?
A Kurdish Convention in Qamishli Conveyed Multiple Messages to the New Syrian Government and Turkey
April 30, 2025
 · 
Sirwan Kajjo
Thousands of Kurdish people gather in Germany in March 2025.
Middle East Forum Observer
The Illusion of Kurdish Unity
Many Kurds Recognize That Kurdish Leaders and Their Parties Bear Much Responsibility for Their Lack of Unity
April 30, 2025
 · 
Kamal Chomani
Middle East Forum Online
Atlantic Lifeline: Morocco’s Ports as America’s Shield Against Sahel Terror
Sahel States’ Pivot to Morocco’s Ports Bolsters U.S. Fight Against Jihadist Smuggling Networks
April 29, 2025
 · 
Amine Ayoub
President Trump should fly to New Delhi, if not to Kashmir, and declare unwavering support for India in its fight against terrorism. Above, Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, February 15, 2020.
Middle East Forum Online
Biden Flew to Israel After Hamas Attacked. Trump Should Fly to India Now
It Is Time to Cement U.S.-India Ties as a Relationship of Values and Action Rather than Mere Rhetoric
April 29, 2025
 · 
Michael Rubin