1000 баксов за месяц

пятница, 12 декабря 2025 г.

Turning Policy into Action; U.S. Govt. Embraces an Islamist Bangladesh

By Winfield Myers ● Dec 12, 2025

Smart Brevity^® count: 8 mins...2105 words

At the Middle East Forum, our research does not collect dust or vanish into the cloud. Instead, it affects key policy decisions at the local, state, and federal levels. Please consider a year-end gift (click here) to help us continue our work.

Sam Westrop warns that U.S. embassy officials in Bangladesh have recently engaged with Jamaat-e-Islami, a group infamous for its violent past and extremist ideology. Officials from the International Republican Institute (IRI) have been particularly active on the ground in Bangladesh, and officials of the National Democratic Institute have attended IRI-arranged meetings. Both are dependents of the U.S. government-funded National Endowment for Democracy.

Lazar Berman writes that during his upcoming visit to Washington, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's challenge lies in aligning Israel's security needs with Trump's vision for Middle East peace.

We feature three articles by Jules Gomes, the first of which reports that the U.K.'s Crown Prosecution Service is actively undermining free speech by appealing a court decision that cleared Hamit Coskun of Qur'an burning—a move that, if successful, could introduce a de facto blasphemy law. Also included is the work of Fernando Carvajal, Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi, and Amine Ayoub.

This Year, MEF Reports Exposed Significant Findings Leading to Major Policy Changes; Your Support Turns Research into Action

Donate to the Middle East Forum to preserve and protect our civilization.

At the Middle East Forum, our research does not collect dust or vanish into the cloud. Instead, it affects key policy decisions at the local, state, and federal levels.

This year proved what an activist research organization can achieve:

The president of Northwestern University resigned after our Qatar funding exposé.
Georgetown suspended a professor after we documented his extremist ties.
The Department of Homeland Security ended grants to terror-linked groups we identified.
USAID reversed course on $400 million in contracts after our testimony reached 125 million viewers.

This is not "thought leadership." This is policy influence.

If you have already made your year-end gift, thank you. If not, please consider making a contribution to support our efforts in safeguarding American values from threats emanating from the Middle East.

To make your donation, click here.

The U.S. Government Embraces an Islamist Bangladesh

Officials from the International Republican Institute, a key think tank of the U.S. Republican Party, meet in Dhaka with leaders of terror-tied Islamist movement Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh.

By: Sam Westrop

U.S. embassy officials in Bangladesh have recently engaged with Jamaat-e-Islami, a group infamous for its violent past and extremist ideology.

Why it matters: Jamaat-e-Islami, responsible for atrocities during the 1971 Liberation War, is gaining political traction as Bangladesh's elections approach. This raises concerns about potential shifts towards a theocratic government.

In 2014, Jamaat's student wing was named the third-most violent non-state armed group globally.
The organization has a history of inciting violence against minorities and aligns with Islamist movements worldwide.

Recent developments: U.S. engagement with Jamaat includes meetings with its leader, Shafiqur Rahman, who has publicly supported Hamas figures.

The U.S. has also interacted with Jamaat allies like Islami Andolan Bangladesh, a party advocating for sharia law.
Officials from the International Republican Institute (IRI) have been particularly active on the ground in Bangladesh, and officials of the National Democratic Institute have attended IRI-arranged meetings. Both are dependents of the U.S. government-funded National Endowment for Democracy.

What's next: With Islamists leading the polls, the U.S.'s approach may influence the region's stability.

Western diplomats, including from 35 nations, are reportedly reassessing Jamaat's role, questioning its commitment to democracy and human rights.
Observers warn of increasing Islamist violence and the risk of a Jamaat-led coalition government.

To read the full article, click here.

Florida Joins Texas in Designating CAIR as a Terrorist Group—Your State Could Be Next!

Tell your governor to designate CAIR as a terrorist group.

This week, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis officially designated the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the global Muslim Brotherhood network as terrorist organizations, becoming the second state to do so after receiving letters from Middle East Forum supporters like you.

Thanks to MEF Action's nationwide campaign—launched only last week—thousands of citizen messages flooded governors' offices around the country, and we've already secured a major victory with the Florida designation.

Let's keep the momentum going. Sign up and send a customizable letter to your governor's office asking them to follow the example set by Texas and Florida by listing CAIR as a terrorist entity. We won't stop until Hamas-aligned propaganda fronts like CAIR are banned at the federal level or in all 50 states.

Two states down—and your state could be next. Take 30 seconds to help us #DesignateCAIR.

Join our nationwide campaign with a single click!

Set for U.S. Trip, Netanyahu Faces Tough Sledding as Trump Cools on Aggressive Stance

As Netanyahu makes plans to head back to the U.S., the mood has shifted and the premier's standing has been dented. President Donald Trump greets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he arrive...

By: Lazar Berman

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is anticipated to visit the U.S. this month, marking his fifth meeting with President Trump since January.

Why it matters: Netanyahu aims to secure U.S. support for Israel's strategic challenges as Trump's focus drifts to other Middle Eastern leaders and global issues.

Trump's recent engagements with Syria's Ahmed al-Sharaa and Saudi's Mohammed bin Salman highlight a shift in alliances.
Netanyahu's challenge lies in aligning Israel's security needs with Trump's vision for Middle East peace.

Current tensions: While Trump seeks diplomatic resolutions in Gaza and Lebanon, Netanyahu faces pressure as Hamas and Hezbollah regroup.

The U.S. has pushed for disarmament, yet Hamas resists, complicating peace efforts.
In Lebanon, Israel's recent actions against Hezbollah indicate rising tensions, with both countries eyeing potential military escalations.

What's next: Netanyahu's visit will test his ability to influence U.S. policy amidst a complex geopolitical landscape.

With Iran's ongoing threats and the evolving dynamics in Syria and Gaza, Israel seeks clear backing from the U.S.
The outcome of this meeting could shape the region's future stability, depending on Netanyahu's negotiations with Trump.

To read the full article at the Times of Israel, click here.

Prosecutors Contest Dismissal of 'Blasphemy' Verdict Against Qur'an-Burning Activist

Britain's Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is challenging the verdict of a U.K. court which cleared a free speech activist previously convicted of burning a Qur'an. (Shutterstock)

By: Jules Gomes

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is actively undermining free speech by appealing a court decision that cleared Hamit Coskun of Qur'an burning.

Why it matters: The CPS's efforts threaten to introduce a de facto blasphemy law, posing a significant threat to freedom of expression.

This sets a precedent where legal outcomes cater to violent reactions, jeopardizing democratic ideals and free speech.

Court's stance: Justice Joel Nathan Bennathan emphasized the critical role of free expression, rejecting blasphemy as a legal offense in the U.K.

The ruling affirmed that even provocative acts fall under protected speech, crucial for democratic discourse.

Rising concerns: Free speech advocates warn that the CPS's actions could stifle dissent and empower extremist narratives.

Stephen Evans of the National Secular Society criticized the CPS for inverting justice by viewing victims of violence as offenders.

Public backlash: By pursuing this appeal, the CPS risks eroding free speech, turning dissent into a criminal act.

Max Thompson argues in the Times of London that success for the CPS could effectively establish a Muslim blasphemy law, reversing civil liberty gains in the U.K.

To read the full article, click here.

U.K. Islamo-Leftist Coalition Fractures Over Muslim Sexual Morality

A hoped-for coalition between Islamists and leftists in the United Kingdom has broken apart over a debate over sexual morality.

By: Jules Gomes

Muslims are deserting the U.K.'s newest political party, "Your Party," as an ideological clash splits its Islamo-Leftist coalition.

Why it matters: The party's militant pro-LGBTQ+ stance alienates orthodox Muslims, causing internal strife and party defections.

The boycott of the party's inaugural conference by Muslim parliamentarian Zarah Sultana, who co-founded Your Party together with far-left politician Jeremy Corbyn in September, highlights the deepening divide.

Parliamentary tensions: Lawmakers like Adnan Hussain and Iqbal Mohamed challenge the party's stance, advocating for socially conservative values.

Hussain's comments on gender sparked backlash, leading to his departure and creating a toxic environment.

Financial transparency issues: Sultana faces scrutiny over unaccounted party funds, raising questions about financial management.

Criticism mounts as only £400k of £1.25 million in donations and fees has been transferred to the party's official account.

The bottom line: In the end, Your Party didn't herald a new dawn—it merely proved that even the most devoted revolutionaries can't hold together a coalition built on mutually exclusive absolutes.

To read the full article, click here.

As France's Muslim Population Grows, so Does Its Support for Islamism

A study revealing surging Islamist sympathies among young French Muslims has sparked fierce backlash—from imams, left-wing politicians, and Muslim organizations now suing the researchers. Shutterstoc...

By: Jules Gomes

A new study reveals a sharp rise in radical Islamism among young French Muslims, sparking legal and political backlash.

Why it matters: The French Institute of Opinion Polls (IFOP) found that 38 percent of young Muslims endorse radicalism, doubling since 1998.

One in three young Muslims prefers Sharia over state laws, signaling a significant cultural and ideological shift.

Religious demographics: Islam has become France's second largest religion, with Muslims making up 7 percent of the population in 2025.

The report notes a decline in Catholicism from 83 percent in 1985 to 43 percent today, while Islam continues to grow.

Controversial reactions: France's top imam and far-left politicians condemn the survey, accusing it of spreading Islamophobia.

Muslim associations have launched legal action against the poll, claiming it incites hatred and division.

Expert insights: Sociologists defend the study, citing a generational re-Islamization phenomenon that requires further investigation.

Critics warn that dismissing these findings could lead to greater societal tensions and challenges to secular French values.

To read the full article, click here.

Saudi Arabia's Sudan Proxy Goes 'Off the Reservation'

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Shutterstock

By: Fernando Carvajal

Saudi Arabia struggles as its ally, Sudanese leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, rejects U.S.-backed ceasefire efforts.

Why it matters: Burhan's resistance complicates Saudi Arabia's regional strategy, threatening stability and security across the Red Sea.

Burhan's defiance of the Quad's ceasefire proposal raises tensions, as Saudi Arabia aims to prevent extremist expansion along its coastline.

Regional implications: The conflict between Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces is one of the deadliest, exacerbating humanitarian crises.

Over 10 million Sudanese have been displaced, with half the population needing lifesaving aid as famine spreads.

Diplomatic challenges: Saudi Arabia's influence is at stake as Burhan proposes Qatar and Turkey as alternative mediators, challenging Quad unity.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman now faces pressure to align Burhan with Saudi security interests without alienating key regional partners.

To read the full article, click here.

The War in Sudan: Interview with a Pro-Rapid Support Forces Faction

The Democratic Revolutionary Awakening Council (DRAC) was founded in 2008; its role was officially inaugurated in 2013. DRAC became opposed to the Sudanese government in 2017. Shutterstock

By: Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi

Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi recently conducted an interview with the Democratic Revolutionary Awakening Council (DRAC), which is broadly aligned with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan's civil war.

Why it matters: DRAC represents a faction with significant influence in the Sudanese conflict, seeking a modern democratic state.

DRAC, founded in 2008, opposes the Sudanese government since 2017, advocating for equal rights and citizenship.

Council's stance: DRAC rejects both extreme secularism and Islamism, aiming for a balanced state that respects all societal components.

The council supports the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) role in ending the conflict but opposes external interventions that fuel violence.

International relations: DRAC maintains that normalization with Israel is a matter for the Sudanese people to decide, prioritizing partnership and rejecting oppression globally.

They call upon the international community to aid in halting the war and providing humanitarian support to the Sudanese people.

To read the full interview, click here.

The U.N. Has Spoken: The Sahara Is Moroccan. Now the Real Work Begins

On the southwestern edge of the Sahara Desert, Morocco's vast frontier sets the stage for the political transformation now underway. Shutterstock

By: Amine Ayoub

The United Nations Security Council has endorsed Morocco's Autonomy Initiative, marking a significant diplomatic shift in the long-standing Sahara dispute.

Why it matters: This resolution effectively ends decades of ambiguity, supporting Morocco's vision for democratic governance over the Sahara.

The United States, a key ally, is set to host the final negotiations, emphasizing the strategic importance of a stable Morocco in countering extremism in Africa.

Morocco's strategic position: By rejecting international oversight, Morocco asserts its sovereignty and responsibility over its territories, including airspace management.

Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita highlights the need for updated governance reflecting Morocco's democratic progress.

Regional implications: A resolved Sahara issue could transform the Atlantic African coast into a major trade hub, unlocking economic potential and stabilizing the region.

With support from allies like the U.S., Morocco is poised to lead regional governance advancements, showcasing its commitment to democracy and security.

To read the full article, click here.