MEF Dispatch: Trump Must Help Iranians Bring Down the Islamic Regime

суббота, 7 февраля 2026 г.

Jonathan Spyer urges the Trump administration to support the Iranian people's efforts to remove the ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

View on web  |  Read what you missed Trump Must Help Iranians Bring Down the Islamic Regime By Winfield Myers ● Feb 07, 2026 Smart Brevity® count: 7 mins...1863 words Jonathan Spyer urges the Trump administration to support the Iranian people's efforts to remove the Islamic regime in Tehran. Recognizing that a "single, spectacular act" by the U.S. won't be sufficient to topple the government, he outlines specific areas in which intervention—including military and technical actions—can help. Mardo Soghom notes that many observers question the usefulness of U.S.-Iran talks given Iran's intransigence, U.S. demands, and Iran's massacre of its citizens. We also include articles on Iran by Michael Rubin and Umud Shokri. Other authors featured include Noah Sandler, Mohammad Taha Ali, Amine Ayoub, and Marilyn Stern. Trump Must Help Iranians Bring Down the Islamic Regime By: Jonathan Spyer Amidst U.S.-Iran talks in Oman, Tehran's strict focus on its nuclear program sidelines broader U.S. demands, creating a diplomatic impasse. Strategic military readiness: As diplomacy falters, the U.S. accelerates military preparations, signaling a strong stance against Iranian provocations. The deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln and advanced military assets like F15E strike aircraft and Patriot batteries signals readiness for decisive action, putting pressure on Tehran. Leveraging internal divisions: The U.S. considers exploiting fissures within Iran's military to destabilize the regime from within. By encouraging defections among the Artesh commanders, the U.S. aims to undermine Tehran's authority, leveraging existing dissent to catalyze regime change. Enhanced support for resistance: The U.S. must prioritize empowering the Iranian public's resistance efforts through strategic, technological, and humanitarian aid. Providing independent satellite internet services and offensive cyber capabilities can disrupt the regime's control, fostering communication and resistance among Iranian citizens. The time is now: It is now for the courageous people of Iran – who have long detested the regime's prioritization of terrorism – to remove it and usher in a new Middle East. To do so, the West needs to step up and support the efforts of the Iranian public. Time is of the essence. To read the full article, click here. Trump Moves Toward Iran Talks as January Bloodshed Overshadows Diplomacy By: Mardo Soghom As the U.S. and Iran prepare to meet on February 6, the stark contrast in their positions casts doubt on the talks' purpose and potential success. Military posturing: The U.S. has deployed a formidable military presence in the region, warning Tehran of potential strikes if negotiations falter. The USS Abraham Lincoln and air forces stand ready, underscoring a serious stance amidst diplomatic uncertainty. Strategic ambiguity: President Trump appears to keep Iran off balance, possibly aiming for a broader regime change. Observers speculate whether this is a calculated strategy or indecision, as confusion could serve as a tactical advantage. Support for Iranian opposition: Calls grow for the U.S. to provide tangible support to Iranian protesters fighting for freedom. Proposals include boosting communication access, financial aid for opposition forces, and imposing tougher sanctions to pressure Tehran. The U.S. must decide whether to pursue a narrow nuclear deal or leverage its position for broader change. To read the full article, click here. Middle East Forum to Host Interparliamentary Briefing on Strengthening the Eastern Mediterranean Alliance News from the Middle East Forum Event focus: The Middle East Forum (MEF) is convening a closed-door interparliamentary briefing that will bring together U.S. and Israeli lawmakers, diplomats, and security officials to advance the 3+1 Eastern Mediterranean partnership. Key discussions: U.S. and Israeli lawmakers, alongside diplomats, will strategize on defense cooperation and energy initiatives. The briefing, moderated by MEF's Gregg Roman, aims to strengthen ties with Greece and Cyprus to counter Turkey. Legislative spotlight: Participants will explore advancing key legislation like the Eastern Mediterranean Gateway Act. The focus includes enhancing counterterrorism partnerships and securing sea lanes vital to regional stability. Strategic goals: Discussions will cover energy diversification, trade expansion, and emerging technologies. Emphasis will be on countering Turkish aggression through diplomatic channels and maintaining Israel's Qualitative Military Edge. To read the full press release, click here. Is Shi'ism in Crisis? By: Michael Rubin Iran's internal crisis: Khamenei's regime is using extreme measures against protesters, jeopardizing Shi'ism's reputation among Iran's youth. Reports of 20,000 or more deaths and impending executions threaten to alienate the younger generation permanently. Iraq's political setback: In Iraq, the return of Nouri al-Maliki as interim prime minister disillusions Iraq's youth, who see Shi'ite politicians as corrupt. Maliki's past corruption has tainted Shi'ism's image, pushing young Iraqis to question its values. Leadership void in clerical circles: Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani's declining health leaves a leadership gap when a strong voice is needed. Sistani's absence from the political scene allows unchecked misconduct, weakening Shi'ism's influence and credibility. Every bullet Khamenei orders fired, and every dollar Maliki diverts, will be a shot at the reputation of Shi'ism that will both undermine it from within and give fodder to those inside Islam and outside who seek to slander it. To read the full article, click here. Iran's Gas Wealth and the Limits of Export Capacity By: Umud Shokri Iran holds one of the world's largest natural gas reserves but struggles to convert this potential into reliable exports due to structural failures beyond sanctions. Geological constraints: Iran's gas sector heavily relies on the South Pars field, which faces declining output without advanced management systems. Iran lags behind Qatar in extraction efficiency, highlighting the need for technological investment. Underinvestment issues: Chronic underinvestment and outdated infrastructure hinder Iran's ability to boost production and export capacity. Analysts estimate $250 billion is needed to stabilize output and modernize facilities, but sanctions and limited domestic expertise pose challenges. Consumption vs. export: Rising domestic consumption, driven by low subsidized prices, further restricts Iran's export potential. During peak winter months, domestic demand forces cuts to industrial supply and export volumes, undermining Iran as a reliable gas supplier. Infrastructure setbacks: Sanctions and political challenges stall pipeline and LNG projects, confining Iran to regional markets. Iran's efforts to expand liquefied natural gas production face delays and financing obstacles, limiting its global reach. To read the full article, click here. U.S.-Based Islamist Organizations Ignore Killings in Iran, Condemn America By: Noah Sandler Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and selective advocacy: CAIR's tepid acknowledgment of Iran's brutality reveals a pattern of deflecting attention from authoritarian regimes while demonizing the U.S. and its allies. While Iran fills morgues with protesters, CAIR's focus on condemning U.S. and Israeli actions shows a disturbing indifference to genuine human rights abuses. Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) and muted responses: MPAC's silence on Iran, while loudly opposing U.S. moves in Venezuela, underscores a troubling reluctance to criticize Islamist regimes. This choice reveals an unsettling bias that prioritizes political narratives over universal human rights. Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN) and National Iranian American Council (NIAC) narratives: These groups consistently highlight Western culpability, conveniently overlooking the oppressive actions of regimes like Iran's. By focusing criticism on the U.S., they provide cover for regimes that actively suppress their own people, betraying the very principles they claim to uphold. To read the full article, click here. Did State Absorption of Religious Endowment Catalyze Political Islam? By: Mohammad Taha Ali Dismantling autonomy: Modern states eliminated the independence of awqaf (religious foundations, singular: waqf), integrating them into state bureaucracies to consolidate control. Awqaf once governed land, law, and welfare independently, rooted in property rights rather than state power. Transformation of religious foundations: By subsuming awqaf into state structures, governments centralized authority, replacing independent trustees with state officials. This shift allowed states to impose standardized accounting and control over religious and social services. Impact on Islamist movements: The absorption of awqaf weakened autonomous religious economies, prompting Islamist parties to seek political influence. The loss of awqaf autonomy remains a pivotal yet overlooked factor in the autocrat-theocrat power struggle. To read the full article, click here. Israel Risks Losing the Strategic Endgame in Gaza By: Amine Ayoub Closure and new challenges: The return of Master Sgt. Ran Gvili's body closes a national trauma but ushers in strategic risks for Israel. With the hostage file closed, pressure mounts on Israel to engage with U.S.-led reconstruction efforts that could compromise its security. Defining true victory: Israel must aim for absolute victory, not mere deterrence against Hamas. Victory means eliminating Hamas's military capabilities and ensuring operational freedom in Gaza. Guarding against existential threats: Delegitimization of Israel poses a greater danger than military threats. The push for reconstruction risks empowering Hamas, while Israel must assert its security needs and counter delegitimization narratives. Strategic recommendations: Israel should intensify its campaign for "organizational finality," rejecting reconstruction plans that leave Hamas armed. The focus should be on creating a stable governance model in Gaza, supported by Israeli security oversight. To read the full article, click here. The Hidden Risks of Reopening the Rafah Crossing By: Amine Ayoub The gates of the Rafah crossing have partially reopened—a move heralded by international diplomats as a crucial "field test" for the second phase of the U.S.-brokered Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict. Why it matters: The reopening is a significant gamble, described as Hamas' "oxygen and rearmament pipeline." It tests the new "Rafah 2" security framework, which aims to facilitate exit while making entry a rigorous ordeal. Details: "Rafah 2" employs a sophisticated, multi-layered security system with advanced technology. High-definition facial recognition and biometric sensors transmit live feeds to a Shin Bet command center. The subterranean threat: Despite advancements, 60 percent of Hamas' tunnel network remains intact according to Defense Minister Israel Katz. The reopening of Rafah is a test of will. If the "Rafah 2" mechanism is breached, or if the "Remote Control" cameras fail to detect the next shipment of Iranian-made components, the burden of preventing the next October 7 will fall solely on the IDF. To read the full article, click here. Asaf Romirowsky on October 7: The Wars Over Words and Deeds By: Marilyn Stern On a recent Middle East Forum Podcast, Asaf Romirowsky discussed the ideological hijacking of U.S. democratic institutions and higher education in the context of the Palestinian Arab-Israeli conflict. The political economics of antisemitism: Academic institutions have been influenced by funding that exploits the gap between perceived and actual realities on campuses and in the Middle East. This has led to a framework where antisemitism is normalized, affecting both American and Israeli perceptions. Strategic infiltration through academe: The strategy of "soft power" influence emerged as a means to undermine Western institutions. This involved the establishment of charitable entities to fund academic chairs and programs that align with pro-Palestinian narratives. The red, green, and brown alliance: The convergence of different ideological groups has fueled anti-Israel demonstrations on American campuses. These alliances, supported by international funding, aim to challenge Western democratic principles by influencing academic and public discourse. To read the full summary and watch the podcast, click here. Further Reading: Should a Referendum Determine Iran's Future? By: Jim Hanson The people of Iran want to choose their government, and they deserve to be able to do so. Can India's Iran Hypocrisy Be Explained? By: Abhinav Pandya As a victim of Pakistan-supported terrorism and transnational Islamist networks, India has no reason to appease the Iranian regime. Gaza's 'Technocratic Shield': Governance Is a Survival Tactic for Hamas By: Amine Ayoub Framed as neutral governance, Gaza's new technocratic committee masks Hamas's ongoing military rule. We appreciate your continued support for the Middle East Forum. If you found this edition of the Dispatch useful, please share it with others and be sure to let us know your thoughts on our coverage via the comments feature. Sincerely, Winfield Myers Managing Editor, Middle East Forum Director, Campus Watch Was this edition useful? Your email will be recorded and shared with the sender MEF, an activist think tank, deals with the Middle East, Islamism, U.S. foreign policy, and related topics, urging bold measures to protect Americans and their allies. Pursuing its goals via intellectual and operational means, the Forum recurrently has policy ideas adopted by the U.S. government. Copyright © 2025 Middle East Forum, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Middle East Forum 1650 Market Street, Suite 3600 Philadelphia, PA 19103 Unsubscribe Powered by This email was sent by Middle East Forum via Axios HQ