MEF Dispatch: Historic Knesset Assembly Unites ‘3+1’ Allies Against Turkish Aggression

четверг, 12 февраля 2026 г.

For the first time, the Israeli Knesset gathered representatives from the legislative bodies of four ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

View on web  |  Read what you missed Historic Knesset Assembly Unites '3+1' Allies Against Turkish Aggression By Winfield Myers ● Feb 12, 2026 Smart Brevity® count: 7 mins...1892 words For the first time, the Israeli Knesset gathered representatives from the legislative bodies of four nations—Israel, Greece, Cyprus, and the United States—to meet as a unified assembly dedicated to a strategic objective: building the Eastern Mediterranean "3+1" partnership and containing Turkey, the region's chief geopolitical adversary. Organized by MEF, "The 3+1 Framework: Strengthening Eastern Mediterranean Cooperation" represented a historic first step toward fostering renewed strategic cooperation through a regional alliance built on shared values and mutual national interests. Click here to read the press release and watch a video of the entire interparliamentary briefing. This issue includes articles on Syria by Hiwa Osman and Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi and an analysis of the revolutionary origins of Palestinian nationalism by Hussein Aboubakr Mansour. Also featured is the work of Umud Shokri, Dalga Khatinoglu, and Amine Ayoub. Historic Knesset Assembly Unites '3+1' Allies Against Turkish Aggression News from the Middle East Forum On February 10, Israel hosted a historic meeting with members of the legislative bodies of Israel, Greece, Cyprus, and the U.S. to fortify the Eastern Mediterranean "3+1" partnership against Turkey, seen as the region's chief geopolitical adversary. Organized by the Middle East Forum, this initiative aims to enhance strategic cooperation and regional stability. Strategic partnership: The interparliamentary briefing marked the launch of the Eastern Mediterranean Knesset Caucus, a parliamentary association committed to the 3+1 dialogue. The event hosted a virtual briefing featuring members of the Knesset (MKs), Greek and Cypriot parliamentarians, U.S. Congress members, and leading experts in energy, trade, and national defense. This partnership seeks to counter Turkey's expanding influence and threats to regional stability. Regional resilience: MK Alon Schuster highlighted the shift from combat to civilian resilience. The focus includes cooperating in energy, water, agriculture, and innovation. U.S. leadership: Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL) emphasized clear alliances in the Middle East, while Rep. Randy Fine (R-FL) highlighted acute concerns regarding Ankara's geopolitical trajectory. The Eastern Mediterranean Gateway Act aims for cooperation with IMEC [India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor] countries, leveraging the 3+1 framework. To read the full press release and watch the video, click here. 'Stabilization First' Is a Dangerous Illusion for Syria By: Hiwa Osman As Damascus and the Kurds begin implementing their recent deal, diplomats have welcomed it as a step toward stability. But can this agreement alone deliver a lasting solution for Syria? The Kurdish question extends beyond Syria: Syrian Kurds no longer see themselves as a domestic minority negotiating with a state. They view their future as part of a global Kurdish bloc, with daily protests reflecting this shift. Communal anxieties deepen: Syria's major communities, including Druze and Alawites, feel the wrath of armed forces and militias. The Druze call for Israeli protection, and Alawites seek external protection, signaling distrust in the Syrian state's security guarantees. Normalization's false hopes: Western policy assumes Syria's fragmentation is temporary and can be resolved through consolidation in Damascus. This overlooks the need for national reconciliation and constitutional guarantees for all communities. To read the full article, click here. ICYMI: Israel Insider with Alex Selsky Israel prepares actively for potential conflict with Iran while the United States pursues negotiations to halt Iran's nuclear program, though American officials explicitly reject regime change as a goal and send additional military assets to the region, giving Iran more time to strengthen its position. Germany's parliament president visited Israel in a show of strong European support, highlighting Germany's outsized economic influence and growing political backing amid ongoing regional tensions, including the second phase of operations in Gaza. The United States considers allowing Hamas to retain some light weapons in Gaza, which prevents full disarmament and dismantlement, while Netanyahu defends his actions around October 7, 2023, by blaming long-term policies like disengagement and Oslo and shifting responsibility toward intelligence failures, as investigations target his closest aides and cultural figures like singer Matti Kaspi pass away. 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. A Sunni Town's Uneasy Reinvention After Years as a Regime Stronghold By: Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi Once dubbed the 'Qardaha of Hama', Qumhane was long held up by supporters of the Assad regime as proof of its supposedly cross-sectarian nature. A Sunni town of around 30,000 residents just north of Hama city, Qumhane supplied hundreds of "martyrs" who died fighting in the regime's army and auxiliary forces. Today, the town is trying to move beyond that legacy. Historical allegiances: The Sibahi family, rewarded for aiding the regime, contrasts with the Ajaj and Shihab families, who suffered for opposing it. The Sibahis gained wealth and status, while others faced arrest and torture. Revolutionary fault lines: Despite initial resistance, regime loyalists in Qumhane outnumbered oppositionists throughout the war. Ideological loyalty, opportunism, and fear influenced the town's support for the regime. Transition to opposition control: After the regime's collapse, control shifted to opposition figures like Eisa al-Ali al-Qadour, reshaping Qumhane's identity. Former regime loyalists adapted to the new order, but genuine reconciliation remains elusive. To read the full article, click here. Anti-Hamas Armed Groups in Gaza: Interview with the 'Free Homeland Forces' By: Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi In an interview that Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi conducted with anti-Hamas armed group leader Hussam al-Astl, the latter noted a number of anti-Hamas groups operating in various parts of Gaza under Israeli control, including one led by Shauqi Abu Nusayra in the central region of Gaza. This group is known as "Quwat al-Watan al-Hurr" ("Free Homeland Forces"). "Free Homeland Force's" establishment: Founded on September 1, 2025, in Dayr al-Balah, this group aims to combat Hamas terrorism and remove oppression in Gaza. The group is not affiliated with other factions, emphasizing its independence and commitment to the oppressed. Partnership with Israel: The group collaborates with Israel, receiving support in the form of food, shelter, and weapons to fight Hamas. They view Israel as a peace partner, focusing on dismantling Hamas' infrastructure. Vision for Gaza's future: The group supports the two-state solution, envisioning peace and prosperity for cities like Gaza and al-Quds. They call for international support to provide a dignified life for Gaza's people and rebuild its foundations. To read the full interview, click here. The Rifle and the Bard: How Palestine Became Revolution By: Hussein Aboubakr Mansour In the late 1960s, a fusion of Marxism and nationalism crafted the Palestinian identity, intertwining it with armed struggle. Born from the ashes of the "Nakba" and fueled by genuine suffering, this identity became inseparable from revolutionary ideals. Revolutionary roots: Palestine's identity fused Marxism and nationalism in the 1960s. This led to an identity intertwined with armed struggle, shaped by suffering and revolutionary ideals. Impact of 1967: The collapse of pan-Arab socialism shifted focus to Palestinian struggle. Palestine became a symbol of revolution, with a presumed assured triumph. Habash's influence: George Habash embodied revolutionary fervor without lasting ideology. He was a Philosopher-King of insurrection without philosophy, a man whose successive causes revealed the poverty of the revolutionary identity: rebellion without end, direction, or final substance. Read the full article at the Abrahamic Metacritique. As China's Teapot Refiners Turn Toward Iranian Oil, Sanctions' Effectiveness Suffers By: Umud Shokri China's independent refiners, known as "teapots," increasingly are replacing Venezuelan crude with Iranian oil, illustrating how sanctions pressure, commercial reality, and geopolitics now shape global oil flows more than formal rules. As U.S. enforcement has disrupted Venezuelan exports, Iranian crude has emerged as the most practical and profitable alternative for China's small refiners. Shandong's strategic shift: Teapots in Shandong province now rely on Iranian oil, filling the gap left by reduced Venezuelan imports. Iranian crude offers logistical advantages with shorter shipping routes and storage proximity. Economic imperatives: Teapots need cheap heavy crude to remain competitive amid U.S. sanctions. Iranian oil's payment in renminbi (China's currency, consisting of yuan) bypasses dollar systems, reducing legal and financial risks. Global implications: China's demand for sanctioned oil challenges U.S. enforcement and reshapes market dynamics. This reliance on discounted crude pressures global prices and supports Iran's budget. To read the full article, click here. China's Foreign Investment Jumps as Beijing Bypasses Iran and Russia By: Dalga Khatinoglu China's Belt and Road Initiative investments surged by 62 percent last year, surpassing $85 billion. Despite this growth, Russia and Iran—key partners—saw minimal investment, reflecting China's pragmatic priorities. Investment focus shifts: China directed significant investments to Central Asia and the Middle East. Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia attracted the lion's share, overshadowing Russia's modest $674 million. Middle East engagement: Belt and Road projects in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Iraq saw substantial growth. Saudi Arabia received $19.8 billion, with a strong emphasis on green energy initiatives. Trade dynamics: China's trade with Russia and Iran declines as focus intensifies on Central Asian and Persian Gulf nations. Trade with Central Asia surpassed $100 billion for the first time, indicating shifting economic ties. With Iran and Russia representing less than 4 percent of China's overall trade, the two sanctioned countries should not expect full political backing from Beijing. To read the full article, click here. Libya's $20 Billion Oil Bet: Energy Rebirth or State-Sanctioned Plunder? By: Amine Ayoub Libya's new $20 billion oil agreement with TotalEnergies and ConocoPhillips aims to boost its economy and diversify Western energy supplies. However, it raises questions about whether this investment will stabilize Libya or perpetuate its chaotic economy. Economic potential vs. reality: Libya holds Africa's largest oil reserves, yet remains fragmented and unstable. Oil revenues flow through state institutions, but militia control shapes distribution and fuels corruption. Investment paradox: Western firms negotiate with authorities lacking real power, reinforcing existing dysfunction. Fuel smuggling illustrates the cycle of subsidies, loss, and illicit exports that undermine public finances. Strategic risks: Prioritizing energy security over governance reform risks entrenching coercive systems. Libya's instability affects the Sahel and Mediterranean, with oil deals potentially exporting regional insecurity. To read the full article, click here. The Tunis Mirage: Why Libya's Sovereignty Cannot Be Outsourced By: Amine Ayoub International diplomats met in Tunis to discuss Libya's future, yet Libyans themselves were absent from the talks, sparking criticism of external management. Zombie diplomacy: The Tunis summit epitomizes external attempts to manage Libya without Libyan input. The Government of National Unity (GNU) sees external meetings without Libyan participation as violations of sovereignty. Judicial divide: Libya's legal system is split, undermining international mediation efforts. Rival courts in Tripoli and Benghazi claim legitimacy, complicating any roadmap. Local governance shines: Municipal councils demonstrate Libya's capacity for self-governance. Over 50 municipalities held successful elections, offering a path to stability through local achievement. To read the full article, click here. Further Reading: Iran's Nuclear Negotiations Are Designed to Deceive By: Michael Rubin History suggests Tehran uses talks to buy time. The Assassination That Ended Libya's Hope for a Unified State By: Amine Ayoub Saif al-Islam Gaddafi's killing eliminated the last viable bridge between east and west. How Post-Assad Chaos and North African Smugglers Collide By: Amine Ayoub The diplomatic veneer of the "New Syria" began to crack, revealing a security nightmare that the West has spent a decade trying to prevent. 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. You'll hear from us again soon. 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