| |  | | | MEF: Nexus Project a 'Laundromat' for Anti-Zionist Antisemitism By Winfield Myers ● Feb 18, 2026 Smart Brevity® count: 7.5 mins...1944 words Gregg Roman writes that the Nexus Project, a New Israel Fund-backed initiative, has rewritten the rules for identifying antisemitism and functions as a strategic operation designed to shield anti-Zionist actors from accountability. Roman's new report, "The Antisemitism Laundromat," details myriad ways in which the Nexus Project has made antisemitism harder to combat. He states that "our forensic audit reveals that Nexus is not a neutral scholarly initiative—it is the intellectual defense ministry for a political faction that needs to ensure anti-Zionist rhetoric remains beyond the reach of antisemitism enforcement." To read the full report, click here; to read the press release, click here. MEF's Islamist Watch (IW) project seeks to hire a research associate (click here for details). In his latest research, IW director Sam Westrop has produced a guide to seven dangerous Islamist networks operating in Texas, sparking Congressional action and state investigations. To read "A Guide to Islamism in Texas," click here. Read the press release by clicking here. This issue also features articles by Mardo Soghom, Shay Khatiri, Dexter Van Zile, and Kamal Chomani, among others. | | MEF Investigation Exposes How Nexus Project Operates as a 'Laundromat' for Anti-Zionist Antisemitism News from the Middle East Forum A new Middle East Forum investigation by Gregg Roman exposes the Nexus Project, backed by the New Israel Fund, as a calculated operation to protect anti-Zionist actors and undermine antisemitism accountability. Why it matters: Nexus rewrites antisemitism definitions, prioritizing intent over impact, which dismantles protections and allows harmful rhetoric against Jews to thrive. Leadership ties: Nexus is led by individuals with entrenched connections to anti-Zionist organizations, including the New Israel Fund and J Street. Document manipulation: The Nexus Document strategically shifts the burden of proof onto victims, using misleading language such as "not necessarily" to excuse antisemitic actions. Strategic victory: The Biden administration's adoption of the Nexus Document in its National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism legitimizes this dangerous framework, celebrated by those who wish to protect anti-Israel rhetoric. Mainstream Jewish organizations condemn it as a betrayal of the fight against antisemitism. To read the press release, click here; to read the full report, click here. | | Job Opening: Research Associate, Islamist Watch Project Opportunities at the Middle East Forum The Middle East Forum (MEF) is hiring a full-time Research Associate for its Islamist Watch project, ideal for those passionate about investigative research and exposing radical networks. Roles and Responsibilities: Monitor Islamist activities using open-source research and journalistic investigation. -
Research and write published articles and reports, and manage FOIA requests. -
Cultivate and maintain academic, governmental, and Muslim community sources. -
Track and analyze large-scale datasets, including governmental funding and grant databases. Candidate Qualifications: Required: Agreement with MEF's principle that radical Islam is the problem; moderate Islam is the solution. -
Demonstrated knowledge of open-source research tools and strong writing skills are essential. -
Strong ability to write clear, concise, and publication-ready articles and reports. -
Preferred: Familiarity with Western Islamist networks, organizations, and key actors. -
Proficiency in Arabic, Turkish, Persian, or Urdu. Compensation and Benefits: Competitive salary with comprehensive health coverage and retirement savings plan. For more information about the position and how to apply, click here. | | MEF Research on Islamist Networks in Texas Sparks Congressional Action and State Investigations News from the Middle East Forum Recent analyses of Islamism in Texas by Sam Westrop have sparked significant political change and media attention over the past year. Political impact: MEF's reports led to legislative actions and investigations into radical networks and beneficiaries in Texas. Exposing Islamist networks: Research highlights the influence of six major Islamist networks controlling over a quarter of Islamic nonprofits in Texas. Focus on Deobandi movement: MEF emphasizes the threat posed by the Deobandi movement, with links to the Taliban and training centers in Texas. To read the press release, click here; to read the most recent report, click here. | | ICYMI: Israel Insider with Alex Selsky  Mounting preparations and headlines signal a likely imminent U.S.-led military strike on Iran, as failed negotiations reveal the regime's persistent lies, refusal to concede on its nuclear program or proxies, and the necessity of forceful regime change to end its regional dominance. Israel's government enacts a historic reform that tightens control over Area C in Judea and Samaria, counters decades of Palestinian encroachments, and streamlines private Jewish land purchases to expand settlements in accordance with historical and legal rights. Opposition parties fracture through mutual attacks and shifting poll strengths, violent ultra-Orthodox extremism assaults female soldiers in a major city, yet Israeli defense industries achieve unprecedented global demand with record-breaking orders for advanced security technologies. Alex Selsky is a senior adviser to MEF's Israel Victory Project and lecturer at Hadassah Academic College. He is currently serving as Homefront Command reserve major in the Israel Defense Forces; formerly, he served as advisor to Prime Minister Netanyahu and as CEO of the International Israel Beytenu Movement. He holds a B.A. in Business and an executive M.A. in Public Policy from Hebrew University. To watch the full podcast, click here. | | Khamenei Taunts Trump While Iran Negotiates in Geneva By: Mardo Soghom As American and Iranian representatives met in Geneva to discuss nuclear disputes, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei launched a direct attack on President Trump, mocking U.S. naval efforts. Khamenei's defiant speech: Khamenei mocked the U.S. naval buildup, referencing the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford. Media and political response: The hardline Khorasan daily highlighted Khamenei's confrontation with Trump, emphasizing Iran's refusal to back down. Protests and internal tensions: As Khamenei escalated his rhetoric, thousands protested in Iran, prompting a heavy security deployment. To read the full article, click here. | | Strike Threat and Protests Add Pressure on Tehran Before Talks By: Mardo Soghom Iranian officials approach the upcoming Geneva talks with unease, as a CBS News report unsettles Tehran with potential U.S. support for Israeli strikes on Iran. U.S. support for Israeli strikes: CBS News reveals U.S. would back Israeli airstrikes on Iran if talks fail, involving complex refueling operations. Iran's strategic response: Nour News, a website reflecting the views of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, warns of Iran's retaliation against any aggressor, interpreting the report as psychological warfare. Domestic pressures intensify: Exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi's call for protests sees massive global turnout, with significant domestic unrest. To read the full article, click here. | | Pahlavi Is Liberal like His Critics, in Contrast with His Movement By: Shay Khatiri At the Munich Security Conference, exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi faced both support and criticism, highlighting divisions within the Iranian opposition. Diaspora dynamics: Pahlavi's leadership draws both admiration and skepticism from the Iranian diaspora. Media and public reactions: Pahlavi's critics, including media figures, challenge his role, fearing a return to authoritarianism. Future of Iranian opposition: The divide isn't just ideological; it reflects differing visions for Iran's future. To read the full article, click here. | | Meet Saeed Shehabi, Adversary of Bahrain, Friend to Iran By: Dexter Van Zile Saeed Shehabi, a self-proclaimed human rights activist, faces accusations of hypocrisy for supporting Iran's oppressive regime while criticizing Bahrain's government. Promoting Iranian propaganda: Shehabi has actively participated in and promoted events glorifying Ayatollah Khomeini, known for egregious human rights violations. Ties to questionable charities: Shehabi is linked to charities under investigation for extremist ties and promoting Iranian regime propaganda. Hypocrisy in activism: While he condemns Bahrain's human rights abuses, Shehabi's praise for Iran's regime reveals a partisan agenda. To read the full article, click here. | | After Rubio-Abdi Meeting in Munich, Time to Rethink the PKK's Terror Designation By: Kamal Chomani Secretary of State Marco Rubio's meeting with Mazloum Abdi, a former Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) commander, highlights the paradox of U.S. alliances in the fight against the Islamic State. Acknowledging Kurdish allies: Despite the PKK's terrorist designation, Kurdish forces are pivotal in combating ISIS, complicating U.S. foreign policy. Evolving PKK ideology: The PKK has shifted towards democratic confederalism, renouncing past violence and promoting gender equality. Call for policy reassessment: Rubio's authority could initiate a review of the PKK's status, aligning U.S. policy with current realities. To read the full article, click here. | | Israel's 'War Between the Wars' with Hamas Continues, Despite Cease-Fire By: Benjamin Weinthal Despite the US-brokered ceasefire, Israeli forces report daily violations by Hamas, claiming attacks and injuries to soldiers since October. Hamas defiance: IDF Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani reports ongoing attacks, with Hamas refusing to disarm as agreed in Trump's peace plan. Military preparations: Israel considers incursions into Hamas-controlled areas if disarmament fails, with Prime Minister Netanyahu poised to authorize further action. International involvement: President Trump plans to announce a stabilization force in Gaza, aiming to support disarmament efforts. To read the full article, click here. | | The Tribal Solution: Why Gaza's Future Lies in Pre-Islamic Social Structures By: Amine Ayoub The persistence of the technocratic committee myth in Western circles ignores the social realities of the Levant, where clan loyalty prevails over abstract citizenship. Infiltration risks: A centralized, expert-led government in Gaza is vulnerable to Hamas infiltration, lacking both the force and legitimacy to maintain control. Clan-based governance: Returning to a Mukhtar-led system offers a pragmatic path forward, emphasizing kinship-based pragmatism over ideological mobilization. Strategic advantage: Empowering traditional authority prevents the consolidation of power by radical groups, fostering gradual civil society evolution. This approach aligns with Israeli security objectives by dismantling centralized threats and encouraging localized accountability. To read the full article, click here. | | Thank you for your support and for subscribing to the Dispatch. If you enjoyed it, please forward it to a friend, and please let us know what you thought of this issue. 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.
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