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

The Kanke refugee camp in Dohuk, Iraqi Kurdistan, for Yazidis who escaped abuse from ISIS.

Middle East Forum Observer

Ten Years On, It Is Essential to Recognize the Yazidi Genocide Is Not Fully Over

A U.S. Desire to Withdraw Troops Completely from Iraq and a Commitment to Prevent Genocide Are Mutually Exclusive

November 20, 2024

Bared Maronian

Middle East Forum Online

MBS’s ‘Genocide’ Critique of Israel Is Worrying, but a Saudi Deal Is Not a Lost Cause

MBS Sharpened His Criticism of Israel and Continues to Warm Ties with Iran, but a Defense Pact with the U.S. Is Still His Priority and Tehran Is Still the Chief Foe

November 19, 2024

Lazar Berman

Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, left, and Iran's current Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Middle East Forum Observer

Choosing Mojtaba Khamenei as Successor Highlights the Islamic Republic’s Weakness

The Supreme Leader’s Son Does Not Have the Prestige of Iran’s Grand Ayatollahs or Even Many Ordinary Ayatollahs

November 19, 2024

Michael Rubin

Osman Akın, a Turkish national from the predominantly Kurdish province of Diyarbakır, who operates under the assumed name Mamoste Osman El Kurdi, has been actively supporting ISIS networks within Turkey.

Middle East Forum Online

Release of Key Cleric Revives Kurdish ISIS Networks in Turkey and Georgia

Turkish Authorities Face Criticism for Releasing a Radical Kurdish Cleric Linked to ISIS, Allowing Him to Resume Preaching and Recruiting for Jihadist Networks Across Turkey and Georgia

November 18, 2024

Abdullah Bozkurt

Middle East Forum Online

Don’t Dare to Criticize Islam in Europe or the Police Will Come

Critics of Islam in 2024 Europe Face Repression Akin to the Treatment of Anti-soviet Writers in the 1950s—Silenced with Fear and Police at the Door.

November 18, 2024

Giulio Meotti

Middle East Forum Online

Translation: An Islamic State Editorial on Donald Trump’s Electoral Victory

For the Islamic State, It Does Not Matter Whether a Republican or Democrat Wins the Elections, Because America Is a Democracy and Remains a ‘Crusader’ State Waging War on Islam.

November 17, 2024

Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi