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
The Saudi flag flies behind missiles.
Middle East Forum Observer
U.S. Should Push for a New U.N. Resolution to Stop Saudi Arabia on Yemen
Permitting the Saudis to Impose the Muslim Brotherhood on Southern Yemen Opens the Door to an Al Qaeda Faction and Houthi Weapons Smuggling
January 7, 2026
 · 
Michael Rubin
The Pakistan army faces insurgents and influential Islamist lobbies at home.
Middle East Forum Observer
Can Pakistan Be Trusted in Gaza?
Islamabad Cannot Afford to Upset Turkey or Qatar and Is Far More Likely to Help Rebuild Hamas than to Disarm It
January 7, 2026
 · 
Abhinav Pandya
Middle East Forum Online
The Victims No One Mourns
Why the “New Syria” Is Purging Alawites and Leaving Christians Exposed
January 6, 2026
 · 
Amine Ayoub
Middle East Forum Online
With Venezuela Raid, Trump Fires a Message to Iran and Hamas. Will They Listen?
A Shock Operation Signals That Long-Standing Deterrence Rules No Longer Apply—and Puts Tehran and Gaza on Notice
January 6, 2026
 · 
Lazar Berman
The world is replacing a world order that has pertained since 1990. It was a place where America enjoyed more or less unrivaled dominance, while its European allies complacently took that for granted. Powers outside of this sphere schemed and planned, but could do little to challenge U.S. primacy.
Middle East Forum Online
A Few Thoughts on the Alleged New World Order
From the Israeli and Jewish Point of View, the Emergence of This State of Affairs Isn’t So Bad
January 6, 2026
 · 
Jonathan Spyer
Egypt’s Supreme Constitutional Court (SCC) delivered a ruling on Saturday, January 3, that effectively closes the door on judicial independence in the Arab world’s most populous nation.
Middle East Forum Online
Egypt’s Supreme Court Just Gave the State Unlimited Power to Define ‘Terrorism’
This Is Not Merely a Legal Technicality; It Is the Final Act in a Decade-Long Consolidation of Power
January 6, 2026
 · 
Amine Ayoub
The Home Office has established a panel into the "grooming" gangs largely comprised of Muslim men from rural Pakistan who raped more than 250,000 young women from white, working class families in England over the course of decades. The new inquiry comes after decades of denial about the root causes of the abuse, observers state.
FWI News
U.K. to Investigate Role of Islamic Doctrine on Grooming Gangs
Move Comes after Australian Scholar Documented Issue in 2025 Report
January 6, 2026
 · 
Jules Gomes
Past statements by Amir Ghalib disqualified the former mayor of Hamtramck, Michigan, from serving as U.S. ambassador to Kuwait.
FWI Opinion & Interview
Mr. President, Don’t Renominate Amer Ghalib
And While We’re at it, Think Twice About Offering Him Another Post
January 6, 2026
 · 
Dexter Van Zile
Iranian rials or IRR banknotes from Iran.
Middle East Forum Observer
Its Allies’ Falls Continue the Destruction of Iran’s Financial Capital
Syria and Venezuela Pledged to Repay Their Debts for Oil and Gas That Iran Exported to Them, but Have Not
January 6, 2026
 · 
Dalga Khatinoglu
While many Iranians facing conscription into the army join the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for its comparative benefits, many others join its feeder organizations as young as eight years old and become true believers in its ideology.
Middle East Forum Online
Coming Soon: The Iran Civil War of 2026?
Even If Iran’s Current Protests Intensify, a Clean Democratic Transition Is Unlikely
January 5, 2026
 · 
Michael Rubin