The Cause of the Blast Is Undetermined but Two Conservative Papers Suggest a Possible Link to Nuclear Talks
Islamists Establish ‘Third Parties’ to Solidify Power
Products Typically Loaded or Unloaded at This Port Do Not Have the Explosive Power Needed to Cause Such Widespread Devastation
Indian Security Forces No Longer Can Afford to Ignore Qatar-Based Individuals and Institutions That Pose a Threat to India
With U.S. Companies Increasingly Active in Morocco, the Breach Reveals Critical Gaps in Cybersecurity That Threaten American Economic and Strategic Interests Across the Region
Shahid Rajaee Port Is a Major Trade Hub, Handling 85 Percent of the Country’s Total Loading and Unloading of Goods
Supreme Leader’s Nod to Talks Quiets Hardliners, but Their Influence Persists
In 2010, the Arab Spring, involving anti-government protests and armed uprisings across much of the Arab world, led to civil war, rulers being deposed, and domestic violence. Fast forward to 2025 and the world continues to see instability across the Middle East. The decade-long civil war in Syria suddenly ended with the Assad regime’s toppling; Turkey, facing its own civil unrest as millions take to the streets, has hegemonic aspirations that extend far beyond Syria; Iran’s economy is tumbling in a downward spiral while it faces pressure from both Israel and the United States to relinquish its quest for nuclear weapons lest war become imminent; Lebanon’s new president appears to wish to take advantage of Israel’s successful attacks on Hezbollah and implement true change; and Iraq remains in limbo after the U.S. withdrew forces and Iran became embroiled in post-10/7 regional turmoil. Unpacking this complex and volatile regional reality in this month’s Forum Roundtable are the esteemed Cliff May, Founder and President of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, Michael Doran, Senior Fellow and Director of the Hudson Institute’s Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East, and the Middle East Forum’s Jonathan Spyer, moderated by Lauri Regan, host of the Forum Roundtable.
Spotlight: Israel and Iran, This is War
Israel has struck deep into the heart of the Islamic Republic of Iran, damaging or destroying nuclear facilities and air defenses and eliminating senior military officers. The initial strikes were more successful than many anticipated. Continuing Israeli actions are targeting any remaining offensive weaponry and leadership.
Iran has responded with ballistic missiles, several of which caused casualties when they hit urban centers. While the capabilities of Iran’s remaining arsenal are not known, its degradation by ongoing Israeli strikes appears to have limited its capacity to mount a significant response.
Iran has responded with ballistic missiles, several of which caused casualties when they hit urban centers. While the capabilities of Iran’s remaining arsenal are not known, its degradation by ongoing Israeli strikes appears to have limited its capacity to mount a significant response.
With the Launch of Operation ‘Rising Lion’ Against Iranian Nuclear and Military Facilities, Israel Appears to Have Sought to Take Advantage of a Narrow Window of Opportunity
Middle East Quarterly - Current Issue
Founded in 1994 by Daniel Pipes, MEQ is the Middle East Forum’s journal intended for both scholars and the educated public. Policymakers, opinion-makers, academics, and journalists write for and read the Quarterly, which is known for exclusive interviews, in-depth historical articles, and book reviews on subjects ranging from archaeology to politics and on countries from Morocco to Iran.
Summer 2025 Volume 32: Number 3
Summer 2025 Volume 32: Number 3
Middle East Forum Observer
Founded in 2024, the Observer provides rapid analysis on leading Middle East developments, from Marrakech to Mashhad and the Bab el-Mandeb to the Black Sea.
Launched in 2006, Islamist Watch is a project of the Middle East Forum. We work to combat the ideas and institutions of lawful Islamism in the United States and throughout the West. Arguing that “radical Islam is the problem, moderate Islam is the solution,” we seek to expose the Islamist organizations that currently dominate the debate, while identifying and promoting the work of moderate Muslims.
CAMPUS WATCH, a project of the Middle East Forum, reviews and critiques Middle East studies in North America with an aim to improving them. The project mainly addresses five problems: analytical failures, the mixing of politics with scholarship, intolerance of alternative views, apologetics, and the abuse of power over students. Campus Watch fully respects the freedom of speech of those it debates while insisting on its own freedom to comment on their words and deeds.
