About
The Middle East Forum Observer

The Middle East Forum Observer was founded in 2024 and provides rapid analysis on leading Middle East developments, from Marrakech to Mashhad and the Bab el-Mandeb to the Black Sea.

More than just an outlet for opinion and opeds, the Observer explores topics in greater depth than American newspapers or opinion essays, often drawing upon primary language research or technical expertise on topics like shipping, aircraft leasing, or counter-terrorism finance. Policymakers and intelligence analysts not only in the United States and Europe, but also across the Middle East regularly read Observer articles. Newspapers and policy journals from Israel to Iran excerpt and debate the Observer’s takes.

As with the Middle East Quarterly, Middle East Forum Observer is open access. All content is available without charge. The Middle East Forum Observer allows reposts of its articles as an integral whole with a citation that includes author, date, title, publication and original URL.

More from MEF
Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei during a televised speech in September 2025.
Middle East Forum Observer
Kill Khamenei’s Family Members and Top Regime Oppressors Until Khamenei Surrenders
Making the Fall of the Regime an Inevitability That Even Khamenei Cannot Deny Is a Difficult Task
January 10, 2026
 · 
Shay Khatiri
Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Middle East Forum Online
Iran’s New Age of Revolutions
Iran’s Protests Are Part of a New Phase of Unrest in the Islamic Republic That Began in 2017
January 9, 2026
 · 
Saeid Golkar
U.K. officials face growing scrutiny for allowing American Islamist cleric Mohamad Baajour to tour Britain despite his record of praising Hamas, promoting antisemitic conspiracy theories, and endorsing violent sharia punishments.
FWI Opinion & Interview
Why Is the U.K. Allowing an American Extremist into Country?
Mohamad Baajour Has Praised Hamas, Which Has Killed 14 U.K. Citizens
January 9, 2026
 · 
Potkin Azarmehr
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz chose not to run for re-election because of the daycare fraud scandal.
Did Minnesota’s Somali Welfare Fraud Finance a War?
The Federal Government Is Right to Investigate the Minnesota Fraud, but Should Recognize That What Happened Did Not Stay in Minnesota
January 9, 2026
 · 
Michael Rubin
MEF in the Media
Iran, Israel, & Immigration | Gregg Roman on The Saad Truth
January 9, 2026
Protesters in Sublice, Poland, express their opposition to immigration at a rally in September, 2025.
FWI News
New Year’s Unrest Stokes Anger over Unchecked Immigration into Europe from Muslim Countries
Hungary and Poland Avoid Unrest, Demonstrating the Value of Protected Borders
January 9, 2026
 · 
Jules Gomes
An Iranian 1000 rial 1974 banknote shows a portrait of the deposed Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi.
Middle East Forum Observer
Have Iranians Learned the Lessons of Economic Failure Under Both the Ayatollahs and Shah?
Iran Needs a Leader Who Not Only Curtails Corruption but Also Challenges the Iranian Society’s Fantasies About Itself
January 9, 2026
 · 
Shay Khatiri
Casings from Iranian security forces, who routinely fire into crowds of protesters.
Middle East Forum Observer
Iran Sees Unprecedented Protests as Millions Answer Pahlavi’s Call
One of the Largest Gatherings Was in the Shi’ite Holy City of Mashhad, Where Some Estimated the Crowd at a Million People
January 9, 2026
 · 
Mardo Soghom
Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and U.S. President Donald Trump in a smartphone split-screen.
Middle East Forum Observer
How Trump Reset the Opposition’s Conversation About Iran’s Future
The Islamic Republic Uses Communication Blackouts When Its Control Slips, but It Signals the Regime Is Bracing for Confrontation
January 9, 2026
 · 
Nik Kowsar
Arab governments are signaling they have interests more urgent than the Palestinian issue.
Middle East Forum Observer
Arab State Fatigue with the Palestinian Cause
In a Region Dealing with Civil Wars, Islamist Insurgencies, and More, ‘Palestine’ Is No Longer the Motivator It Once Was
January 9, 2026
 · 
Aaron Shuster