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 flag of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on a mountain in Northern Cyprus, which Turkey occupies.
Middle East Forum Observer
How Should Washington Respond to Hostage Diplomacy in Cyprus?
If the United States Holds Turkey Accountable, It Nips in the Bud Turkey’s Use of Detention as a Political Weapon
September 28, 2025
 · 
Nicoletta Kouroushi
Even as Syrian President Ahmed Sharaa is fêted at the U.N. General Assembly in New York, Syria remains divided, with the Sunni Islamist central government unable to reconcile or provide security and exclusive governance to the country’s large non-Sunni and non-Arab minorities; in New York City on September 26, 2025.
Middle East Forum Online
Syria’s Fragile Peace: Will Sharaa Be Able to Keep Quiet in His Country?
September 27, 2025
 · 
Jonathan Spyer
There will never be enough bulletproof vests for all dissenters. Either we go on the offensive and win this cultural war today, or no one will be safe tomorrow.
Middle East Forum Online
The West Is Now a War Zone Where a Bulletproof Vest Is Required to Speak
September 27, 2025
 · 
Giulio Meotti
Winfield Myers
Middle East Forum Observer
The Red-Green Alliance’s Weaponization of ‘Palestinianism’ Threatens All Democracies
Islamist Extremism and Violence Is Not Only a Foreign Policy Challenge—It Is Also a Domestic Security Crisis
September 27, 2025
 · 
Yuval David
The Middle East today is what happens when there is no hegemon, no perceived final arbiter. The strong countries—Israel, Iran and Turkey—are in open competition.
Middle East Forum Online
The Middle East’s Power Game: Nations Hedge Bets in Volatile, Shifting Landscape
The Main Strategic Result of the Gaza War So Far Has Been the Drastic Weakening of the Iran-Led Bloc
September 26, 2025
 · 
Jonathan Spyer
The Israeli navy.
Middle East Forum Observer
The Twelve-Mile Tripwire: How a Gaza Flotilla Escort Courts Disaster
Italy and Spain Should Direct Their Warships to Halt Escort Operations Inside Israel’s Territorial Sea
September 26, 2025
 · 
Gregg Roman
Silhouettes of President Donald Trump and Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Middle East Forum Observer
Kill Mojtaba
Khamenei’s Second Son Controls Access to His Father and Manages the Supreme Leader’s Multibillion-Dollar Business Empire
September 26, 2025
 · 
Michael Rubin
Pope Leo XIV in May 2025.
Middle East Forum Observer
Will Polemics and Antisemitism Turn the Vatican Against Israel?
Catholic Clergy Make Ill-Founded Accusations of Genocide Against Israel, While Promoting Conditions That Would Guarantee Israeli Genocide
September 26, 2025
 · 
Jules Gomes
Syrian Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa attends the United Nations General Assembly in New York City; September 22, 2025.
Middle East Forum Online
From Ally to Archterrorist? Is Ahmed Al-Sharaa the Next Bin Laden-in-the-Making?
The 1980s Taught Washington a Brutal Lesson: Short-Term Partnerships with Men of Violent Conviction Can Metastasize Into Long-Term Threats
September 25, 2025
 · 
Amine Ayoub
While Palestinians extort money and leverage sympathy based on their own terrorism, Somaliland has built a democratic culture that invests money into infrastructure rather than terrorist tunnels. Hargeisa business district, Somaliland.
Middle East Forum Online
Time for Trump to Recognize Somaliland
Unlike Gaza, Somaliland Has a Long History as an Entity and Can Actually Trace Its Rulers Back Centuries
September 25, 2025
 · 
Michael Rubin