MEF Dispatch: Stalled Missions and New Divides: The French Identity Crisis and the U.N.'s Failures in the Africa

пятница, 25 октября 2024 г.

Today's MEF Dispatch analyses unrest, political tensions, and stalemates from the U.K to Northern Af ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

View in browser Stalled Missions and New Divides: The French Identity Crisis and the U.N.'s Failures in Africa By Ahnaf Kalam ● Oct 25, 2024 Smart Brevity® count: 4.5 mins...1170 words Today's MEF Dispatch analyses unrest, political tensions, and stalemates from the U.K to Northern Africa. In Western Sahara, the United Nations mission remains at an impasse, decades after its founding, with Morocco and Algeria locked in a stalemate that continues to destabilize the region. In Strasbourg, a striking decision to fund the construction of Europe's largest mosque while the city's historic cathedral sits unlit after dark reveals Europe's disturbing cultural priorities amid shifting demographics. Across the globe, tensions mount as anti-American sentiment rises in Turkey, where a government-backed attack on U.S. Marines exposes deeper political rifts. Meanwhile, Israel faces ongoing threats from Iranian proxies, while in the media landscape, conservative outlets wrestle with narratives surrounding Islamism, disinformation, and the risks of ideological divides. Plus, MEF's Gregg Roman and Jonathan Spyer discuss the October 7 attacks one year later. It Is Time to End the U.N. Mission in Morocco By: Michael Rubin The U.N.'s mission in Western Sahara, aimed at organizing a referendum, has yet to fulfill its purpose despite decades of presence and significant expenses. Why it matters: The ongoing conflict between Morocco and Algeria over the Western Sahara has persisted for nearly half a century, affecting regional stability and costing donor nations millions. The U.N. mission, MINURSO, has failed to organize the promised referendum, leaving the region in limbo. Many Sahrawis in Algerian refugee camps wish to return to Morocco, but political barriers prevent their return. The big picture: The Western Sahara's historical ties to Morocco date back centuries, with Morocco having controlled the region since 1975. Algeria's backing of the Polisario Front complicates Morocco's claims. The U.S. recognized Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara in 2020. What's next: As U.N. Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura proposes partitioning the region, it raises concerns about reviving colonial legacies and sustaining refugee crises. The proposal could set a precedent for unjust partitions elsewhere. A call for the U.N. to end the mission and Morocco to declare MINURSO employees persona non grata gains traction. Lights Out at Strasbourg Cathedral as City Finances Huge New Mosque By: Giulio Meotti Strasbourg's decision to turn off cathedral lights contrasts sharply with its financing of a massive new mosque. Why it matters: The cathedral, a symbol of Gothic heritage, is in darkness to save energy, while the city funds a €2.5 million mosque project. This funding decision raises questions about cultural priorities and fiscal policies. The mosque, backed by Qatar and Turkey, is set to be the largest in Europe, sparking debates on religious influence and political agendas. By the numbers: Strasbourg now hosts 22 mosques, reflecting a broader trend across France where over 410 new mosques are under construction. The city's financial support highlights a shift towards accommodating growing Muslim populations. Critics argue this reflects a broader submission to Islamist influence in France. What they're saying: Algerian novelist Boualem Sansal warns of an impending cultural shift, stating, "Islam is preparing to conquer France." Concerns are growing about the implications of such rapid changes on French secularism and national identity. The juxtaposition of darkened cathedrals and burgeoning mosques symbolizes broader societal tensions. U.K. Islamists Celebrate October 7 by Accusing West of Waging 'War on Humanity' By: Hannah Baldock CAGE International's anniversary event criticizes Western nations' counterterrorism efforts, ignoring the October 7 massacre's brutality. Western Double Standards: The webinar, attended by 500, accused Western democracies of unjustly targeting Muslim communities. Amanj Aziz decried the perceived hypocrisy of Western policies. Speakers ignored the massacre's violence, focusing on condemning anti-Islamist actions. Framing a Global Conflict: The narrative positioned October 7 as a catalyst for a broader "war on Gaza." Mansoor Adayfi equated this to a global "war on humanity," highlighting alleged anti-Muslim sentiment. The discussion called for solidarity structures to resist perceived oppression. Ideological Divide: CAGE's stance reflects persistent ideological tensions, complicating counter-extremism efforts. The organization's narrative challenges Western policies and international relations. Attack on U.S. Marines Sanctioned by Govt. of Turkish President Erdoğan By: Abdullah Bozkurt A September attack in Izmir, Turkey, on U.S. Marines was part of a state-backed influence operation by neo-nationalists. Political Maneuvering: The attack, orchestrated by the Turkish Youth Union, was sanctioned by President Erdoğan's government as part of domestic influence efforts. Turkish intelligence was aware but did not intervene, suggesting tacit government approval. The quick release of attackers underscores the state's protection of these groups. A History of Impunity: Perinçek's youth organizations have repeatedly attacked U.S. troops without facing serious consequences. The attack fits a pattern of growing anti-American and anti-Western rhetoric in Turkey. Previous incidents include assaults on NATO troops and infiltration of U.S. bases. Deep-Rooted Influence: Despite low electoral support, Perinçek's groups hold sway through connections in Turkish intelligence and law enforcement. Their actions align with Erdoğan's political objectives, fostering anti-Western sentiment. The incident highlights the entrenchment of neo-nationalist groups in Turkish institutions. WATCH: Jonathan Spyer and Gregg Roman on October 7 – One Year Later By: Marilyn Stern A podcast by the Middle East Forum and American Jewish University discusses the ongoing implications of last year's attacks on Israel. Three-Phase Conflict: Jonathan Spyer outlines Israel's engagement in a three-phase war since October 7. Israel initially faced Hamas alone, then Iran's proxies, and now potentially Iran itself. The attack highlighted the failure of safeguards Israel had in place. Iran's Escalation: Iran's ballistic missile attacks on Israel demand a strong response. Limited Israeli responses risk normalizing missile attacks from Iran. Spyer suggests targeting Iran's nuclear, oil, and military installations. Strategic Challenges: Gregg Roman emphasizes internal and external pressures on Israel. The need for a strategic goal to overthrow Iran's regime is highlighted. The global Jewish diaspora faces its own challenges and scrutiny. WATCH: David Reaboi and Jim Hanson on Islamism's Reach in Conservative Media By: Marilyn Stern A podcast by the Middle East Forum and American Jewish University explores how conservative media covers Islamism. Evolving Media Landscapes: David Reaboi discusses the shift in media environments from traditional to social media. Conservative media initially focused on magazines and talk radio but now includes diverse online platforms. Social media's monetization has encouraged disinformation and fake news, complicating narratives around Islamism. Disinformation Challenges: Jim Hanson highlights the role of non-standard media in spreading false narratives. Accusations like "Israel committing genocide in Gaza" and "Hamas acting as freedom fighters" distort realities and are amplified by mainstream outlets. The influence of radical ideologies from universities contributes to misinformation. Finding Balance: Both speakers emphasize the need for balanced information and credible voices in media. Platforms like X are adjusting algorithms to reduce disinformation. Encouraging rational discourse can help audiences discern truth from propaganda. The latest MEF Dispatch reveals the dangers of bureaucratic paralysis in matters foreign and domestic, as a sclerotic U.N. again proves itself incapable of adapting to realities on the ground, even as local government in France puts the "green agenda" before its own cultural survival. We revisit the attacks of October 7 to draw lessons from that day, while British Islamists openly celebrate its unspeakable horrors and blame Israel and the West for the ensuring war. Stay tuned for the next edition of MEF Dispatch for further updates. Sincerely, Ahnaf Kalam Digital Media Specialist Middle East Forum Feedback Please share your thoughts on this edition. Was this edition useful? Your responses are anonymous 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 © 2024 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