More from MEF
President Donald Trump with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
Middle East Forum Observer
Iran Seizes on U.S. Strategy Shift to Claim Waning American Power
Trump’s National Security Strategy Adopts a Conciliatory Posture Toward Russia and China, and Asserts That Middle Eastern Conflicts Have Diminished
December 9, 2025
 · 
Mardo Soghom
Inside the Red Fort, a World Heritage site in Delhi, India.
Middle East Forum Observer
Turkey’s Troubling Role in the Red Fort Terror Attack
Investigations Hint at a Network That Uses Religious and Educational Charities and NGOs to Propagate Extremist Narratives
December 9, 2025
 · 
Abhinav Pandya
As Netanyahu makes plans to head back to the U.S., the mood has shifted and the premier’s standing has been dented.
Middle East Forum Online
Set for U.S. Trip, Netanyahu Faces Tough Sledding as Trump Cools on Aggressive Stance
December 9, 2025
 · 
Lazar Berman
Nearly 150 coalition service members, mostly Americans, were killed in Afghanistan from insider attacks, with the majority of deaths occurring during later stages of the war, as Afghan forces assumed greater responsibility for security operations.
Middle East Forum Online
National Guardsmen Shooting Spotlights the Danger of ‘Insider Attacks’
Among Afghans, Honor Trumps Loyalty, and Even the Closest Ally Can Turn Killer
December 8, 2025
 · 
Benjamin Baird
From Afrin to Deir Ezzor, former Syrian National Army units now serve as useful auxiliaries: too large to ignore and too valuable to fully demobilize.
Middle East Forum Online
What’s Left of the Syrian National Army?
The Syrian National Army Has Vanished on Paper, but Its Factions Still Shape the Country’s Security Landscape
December 8, 2025
 · 
Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi
Fans of Iran's team during the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Thailand 2024 finals match, Bangkok Arena Stadium.
Middle East Forum Observer
Is the Iranian Diaspora Ready for Team Iran’s World Cup Soccer Games in Los Angeles?
Tickets Are Hard to Get, but Those Who Cannot Attend Still Could Appear Outside the Stadium, Carrying the ‘Lion and the Sun’ Flag
December 8, 2025
 · 
Shay Khatiri
Israeli politician Gila Gamliel currently serves as Minister of Science and Technology, and as a member of the Knesset for Likud.
Middle East Forum Observer
When Information Warfare Actually Works
Israel’s Persian Bot Fiasco Shows Exactly What Not to Do—and Reveals the Path to Cognitive Victory
December 8, 2025
 · 
Gregg Roman
As U.S. military operations in Yemen continue to degrade Houthi capabilities, Yemen’s post-Houthi future should not be a secondary concern.
Middle East Forum Online
Beware the Houthi Paradox: Iran’s Silent Surrender Makes Its Last Proxy More Dangerous
The Islamic Republic’s Strategy Has Always Been a Masterpiece of Strategic Ambiguity and Risk Management
December 7, 2025
 · 
Amine Ayoub
Activists of the Islamist political party Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan demonstrate against blasphemy in Karachi, Pakistan.
Middle East Forum Observer
Reassessing Pakistan’s Use of Blasphemy Laws in Foreign Policy
Blasphemy-Driven Unrest Forces Pakistan’s Diplomats to Prioritize Domestic Appeasement over Coherent, Predictable Foreign Policy
December 7, 2025
 · 
Mohammad Taha Ali
Students line up as they await the start of afternoon classes in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Middle East Forum Observer
What Ethiopia’s Addis Ababa School Case Shows About Greek Diplomacy
The Dispute Demonstrates How Regulatory Change, Unclear Ownership, and Administrative Pressure Can Affect Historic Christian Communities
December 7, 2025
 · 
Nicoletta Kouroushi