MEF Dispatch: Unmasking the Muslim Brotherhood Ties Inside Ohio’s General Assembly

пятница, 20 февраля 2026 г.

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View on web  |  Read what you missed Unmasking the Muslim Brotherhood Ties Inside Ohio's General Assembly By Winfield Myers ● Feb 20, 2026 Smart Brevity® count: 6 mins...1560 words Although the Trump administration designated the global Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization, Benjamin Baird writes that Ohio State Rep. Munira Abdullahi, D-Columbus, continues to serve as a national leader for the Muslim American Society (MAS), a registered nonprofit that federal prosecutors have identified as the "overt arm of the Muslim Brotherhood in America." Baird argues that Ohio legislators should censure Abdullahi and strip her committee assignments unless she publicly renounces her MAS ties. Mardo Soghom reports that, even as the U.S. builds up its forces in the region, Iran's state-controlled media continue to downplay the likelihood of war. The Islamic regime is also hoping to preserve the benefits it has long enjoyed from Venezuelan oil, reports Jose Lev Alvarez Gomez. Venezuela's return to the legitimate oil market is a boon to Israel's energy security, according to Umud Shokri. Eric Navarro analyzes the Houthis' moves to expand into East Africa and warns that the U.S. has misread the Houthis for years. We also feature articles by Jules Gomes, Abdullah Bozkurt, and Marilyn Stern. Unmasking the Muslim Brotherhood Ties Inside Ohio's General Assembly By: Benjamin Baird The Trump administration designated factions of the global Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist organizations last month. The Somali-American Ohio State Rep. Munira Abdullahi, D-Columbus, is under fire for her leadership role in the Muslim American Society (MAS), identified as an "overt arm" of the Muslim Brotherhood. Extremist Affiliations: Abdullahi actively engages with MAS, hosting events featuring radical preachers. Her leadership role facilitates platforms for pro-Hamas activists, despite MAS's controversial history. Financial Connections: Campaign finance records reveal Abdullahi's financial ties with MAS. In 2022, she received a $1,000 donation from an MAS colleague, later contributing $2,400 to MAS-Columbus. Radical Influence: Abdullahi leverages her political position to propagate extremist narratives. Her involvement in MAS extends publicly and privately, subverting her legislative role. Voting Record Exposed: Abdullahi's voting patterns reflect her extremist ideologies. Notably, she was the sole vote against condemning Hamas, highlighting her radical stance. What's next: At minimum, Ohio House lawmakers should censure Abdullahi and strip her committee assignments unless she publicly renounces her MAS ties. To read the full article, click here. Tehran Downplays War Risk as U.S. Forces Build Up By: Mardo Soghom As the U.S. bolsters its military presence in the Middle East, Iran's state media downplays the likelihood of conflict. Tehran appears cornered not only by a heightened U.S. military threat but also by renewed protests across the country, as thousands of families mourn relatives killed during the January crackdown on demonstrators. Media spin on conflict: Iranian outlets like Rouydad24 suggest hidden diplomatic channels might avert war. By showcasing an undated photo of Trump with an Omani official, they aim to reassure the public of negotiations, despite a looming U.S. threat. Expert narratives diverge: Iranian experts offer conflicting perspectives on the U.S. military buildup. Articles claim the buildup is part of psychological warfare, yet warn of potential escalation into regional conflict. Strategic posturing: Iran emphasizes alliances to counter U.S. influence, spotlighting Russian naval presence. Nour News highlights the docking of a Russian vessel as a shift in regional power dynamics, despite its limited military significance. To read the full article, click here. Iran Seeks to Preserve Its Venezuela Corridor By: Jose Lev Alvarez Gomez Despite Nicolás Maduro's removal, Iran maintains a strategic foothold in Venezuela, leveraging longstanding networks to evade U.S. sanctions. Embedded operations: Under Chávez and Maduro, Iran built a resilient system in Venezuela. Tehran uses Caracas as a hub for military cooperation and sanctions evasion, ensuring strategic continuity despite leadership changes. Sanctions resilience: U.S. efforts disrupt, but don't dismantle Iran's networks. Iran's decentralized tradecraft frustrates enforcement, using opaque corridors to bypass sanctions and sustain influence in the Western Hemisphere. Strategic leverage: Tehran shifts to low-visibility operations under transitional authorities. By blending public contracts with shadow networks, Iran prioritizes strategic depth over overt partnerships, challenging U.S. oversight. If costs are not imposed now, Iran will convert Venezuela's transition into enduring strategic depth near U.S. shores. To read the full article, click here. Venezuela's Return to Oil Markets Enhances Israel's Energy Security By: Umud Shokri Venezuelan crude oil reached Israel's Bazan Group refinery for the first time since 2020, indicating significant changes in Venezuela's oil sector post-Maduro. Strategic oil delivery: The shipment marks Venezuela's reentry into global markets under new leadership. Approximately 200,000 barrels were shipped, reflecting a shift in trade patterns as Venezuela opens its oil sector to foreign investment. Economic and geopolitical implications: The delivery diversifies Israel's oil sources, enhancing energy security amid regional tensions. Heavy Venezuelan crude matches Haifa refinery's needs, offering strategic advantages as shipping risks increase. Global market impact: The Venezuelan shipment could alter regional oil dynamics and supply chains. As Venezuela's exports reach new buyers, countries like China may need to source heavier grades elsewhere, potentially affecting global prices and supply. To read the full article, click here. Proposed Palestinian Constitution Erases Jewish Identity, Endangers Christians By: Jules Gomes The Palestinian Authority's draft constitution reveals blatant antisemitic intentions, aiming to establish Jerusalem as its capital while erasing Jewish presence and rejecting a two-state solution. Exclusionary framework: The constitution deliberately omits Jews, reinforcing a vision of an ethnically cleansed state. By denying Israel's existence and neglecting Jewish holy sites, the document promotes a narrative of erasure and hostility. Religious and political dominance: Prioritizing shari'a as the legislative foundation, the draft marginalizes non-Muslims and fortifies Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) control. Christianity's status hinges on Islamic law, and the PLO's exclusive representation stifles political diversity, creating a monolithic regime. Dangerous provisions: Articles support "martyrs'" families, incentivizing violence against Israelis. The constitution's failure to protect Jewish sites and its benefits for attackers' families raise alarms about fostering antisemitic violence. To read the full article, click here. Qatar's School Textbooks Promote Antisemitism and Hatred of Non-Muslims By: Jules Gomes An investigation into Qatari textbooks reveals antisemitic content and religious intolerance, contradicting Qatar's claimed image of tolerance. Antisemitic narratives: Textbooks demonize Jews, delegitimize Israel, and glorify jihad. They propagate harmful stereotypes and omit Jewish historical ties to the region, fostering a narrative of hatred and exclusion. Religious intolerance: Christianity and Judaism are condemned as corrupt, promoting Islamic supremacy. Christians are portrayed negatively, with teachings that distort religious doctrines and emphasize intolerance. Propaganda vs. reality: Qatar's educational content clashes with its public image as a tolerant state. Despite foreign promotion of religious pluralism, textbooks reveal a reality of state-sanctioned bigotry and indoctrination. To read the full article, click here. From Yemen to the Horn: How the Houthis Are Expanding the Battlefield into East Africa By: Eric Navarro Washington has underestimated the Houthis, now a transregional threat expanding beyond Yemen into East Africa, aligning with Al-Shabaab to form a terror-maritime axis. Strategic evolution: The Houthis have moved from a local insurgency to a regional power player. They exploit East Africa's ungoverned spaces and maritime chokepoints, threatening global trade and regional stability. Houthi-Al-Shabaab collaboration: This partnership enhances capabilities and geographic reach. The nexus facilitates weapons transfers and joint operations, embedding deeper into militant ecosystems across the Red Sea and Horn of Africa. Policy missteps: U.S. reliance on naval interception neglects the integrated threat. A fragmented approach and lack of decisive pressure on regional partners allow militant networks to thrive, necessitating a strategic policy reset. To read the full article, click here. New U.S. Sanctions Expose Turkey's Role in Hezbollah's Cash Pipeline, Sanctions Evasion By: Abdullah Bozkurt New U.S. Treasury sanctions reveal Turkey, under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's corrupt Islamist regime, as a key enabler for Hezbollah's sanctions evasion, revenue generation, and militant operations. Hezbollah's logistical base: Turkey's infrastructure supports Hezbollah's illicit networks, exploiting regional trade routes. Turkish companies facilitate a gold-for-cash operation, moving millions in Iranian goods to sustain Hezbollah's activities across the Middle East. Government complicity: Erdoğan's administration turns a blind eye to Hezbollah's illegal funding. As a NATO member, Turkey's permissive environment for Islamist militants and sanctioned actors underscores Erdoğan's failure to enforce anti-terrorism measures. International scrutiny: Sanctions target Turkish entities aiding Hezbollah's financial flows. The U.S. sanctions freeze assets and warn foreign banks of severe penalties, spotlighting Turkey's complicity in enabling sanctioned networks. To read the full article, click here. Oshrit Birvadker on India in a Time of Change By: Marilyn Stern In a recent MEF Podcast, Oshrit Birvadker, an expert from the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security, discussed India's evolving foreign relations, notably with the U.S. and Israel. India-U.S. relations: Once seen as a counter to China, India now navigates a "rough patch" with the U.S. Despite formal agreements, Trump's mediation in the India-Pakistan conflict and tariffs strained ties, pushing India towards EU and Asian alliances. India-Israel partnership: A "strategic partnership" based on shared threat perceptions. Modi's 2017 visit marked a high point, with India supporting Israel during the Gaza conflict, showcasing deep cooperation beyond arms trade. Geopolitical shifts: India's deals with the EU reflect its quest for strategic autonomy. While India seeks independence from U.S. reliance, it finds strategic depth in its relationship with Israel, balancing regional dynamics with China and Pakistan. To read the full summary and watch the podcast, click here. Further Reading: It's Time for India to Support the Dissolution of Pakistan and Turkey By: Michael Rubin Both moral clarity and reciprocity should guide new Delhi's policy. The Axis of Instability: Iran, Proxy Warfare, and the Fragmenting Middle East By: Yuval David This geopolitical and economic model turns national territory into a forward operating base. Be Worried About Mission Creep After Rafah's Opening By: Aaron J. Shuster Reconstruction talk that races ahead of security realities risks freezing conflict rather than resolving it. 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