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 birth rate in 2025 appears to be at least 30 percent below the level needed for long-term population stability.
Middle East Forum Observer
Iran’s Seemingly Unstoppable Birth Slump
Iranians Are Not Following the Clerics’ Dictate to Prop Up the Birth Rate, Which Has Been at Sub-Replacement Level Since 1999
May 21, 2025
 · 
Nicholas Eberstadt
​A file photo of the Pakistan Army's Guard of Honor Battalion during​ a ceremony at the ​presidential ​palace​.
Middle East Forum Observer
Turkey Comes Out as Pakistan’s Ally
Since Erdoğan’s Rise to Power, Pakistan-Turkey Relations Have Acquired an Islamist Flavor—with the Threat of Extremism
May 21, 2025
 · 
Abhinav Pandya
Winfield Myers
Middle East Forum Observer
Iran Rejects U.S. Red Line on Enrichment, Raising Stakes for Trump
Having Vowed to End Tehran’s Path to Nuclear Weapons, Trump Faces a Difficult Choice of Compromise or Confrontation
May 20, 2025
 · 
Mardo Soghom
The head office for Qatar Energy, one of the world's largest exporters of liquified natural gas.
Middle East Forum Observer
Why Qatar Cozies up to Iran’s Clerical Regime
Iran’s Regime Has Been Unable to Properly Develop Its Share of a Critical Natural Gas Field—and That’s Good for Qatar
May 20, 2025
 · 
Dalga Khatinoglu
An artist decorates street art for the traditional Nowruz festival in Isfahan, Iran.
Do Artists Represent an Independent Voice inside Iran?
Decades of Islamic Republic Rule Has Changed the Spirit of Iran’s Artistic Spheres
May 19, 2025
 · 
Faezeh Alavi
Middle East Forum Observer
With Red Lines Firm, Iran Plays for Time in Nuclear Negotiations
Precedent Suggests That Even If Negotiations Progress, Iran Could Freeze the Process at a Critical Juncture
May 16, 2025
 · 
Mardo Soghom
The March 2025 massacres of Alawites by Sunni militias in Syria generated protests.
Middle East Forum Observer
Sectarian Violence Against Syria’s Alawites Has Not Stopped
The Ongoing Violence Against Alawites and Other Communities in Syria Demands Sustained Global Focus
May 15, 2025
 · 
Sirwan Kajjo
Just as it is not possible to protect Israel and allow Hamas and Hezbollah to thrive, it is not possible to take India’s complaints about Pakistani terror seriously if Washington refuses to hold Islamabad accountable.
Middle East Forum Online
Rawalpindi Goes Hezbollah: India Must Push to Label Pakistan a Terror State
Pakistan Now Follows the Terrorist Playbook Crafted by Hamas and Hezbollah Across Decades
May 14, 2025
 · 
Michael Rubin
Allowing Iran’s nuclearization could spark a devastating conflict with Israel, whose small size invites Iranian overconfidence. President Trump dispatched B-2 stealth bombers like the one above to the remote Indian Ocean base of Diego Garcia, presumably to threaten Iran should it continue to reject negotiations to end its nuclear program.
Middle East Forum Online
America Failed to Stop Pakistani Nukes. Will It Repeat the Error with Iran?
Pakistan’s Nuclear Drive Is America’s Original Sin
May 14, 2025
 · 
Michael Rubin
President Donald Trump's visit to the Middle East from May 13-16, 2025, is the first major international trip of his second term.
Middle East Forum Observer
Iranians Vent Fury at Regime After Trump Highlights Saudi Success
In 46 Years Under Shi’ite Clerics, Iran Has Slid Into International Isolation and Economic Decay
May 14, 2025
 · 
Mardo Soghom