Librarians Say No to Censorship While MESA Stays Silent [on the Middle East Studies Association, “Alms for Jihad,” Cambridge University Press]

While MESA’s Committee on Academic Freedom remains silent on Cambridge University Press’ decision to ban and destroy Alms for Jihad, a book critical of Saudi terror financing, the American Library Association makes no such moral compromise (h/t Martin Kramer). It is a shame that for the members of the Middle East Studies Association’s committee, academic freedom is so qualified by their political views.

Michael Rubin specializes in Iran, Turkey and the Horn of Africa. His career includes time as a Pentagon official, with field experiences in Iran, Yemen, and Iraq, as well as engagements with the Taliban prior to 9/11. Mr. Rubin has also contributed to military education, teaching U.S. Navy and Marine units about regional conflicts and terrorism. His scholarly work includes several key publications, such as “Dancing with the Devil” and “Eternal Iran.” Rubin earned his Ph.D. and M.A. in history and a B.S. in biology from Yale University.
See more from this Author
As a Genocidal Regime That Occupies Other People’s Territories, Moral Clarity and Consistency Require Spain to Sit Home
Not Only Will Half-Measures Fail, but a Diplomatic Bargain That Allows the Islamic Republic to Rebuild Will Be as Bad as a Loss
Erdoğan’s Repression Is No Longer Only a Turkish Human Rights Crisis, but a Threat to U.S. Interests and Regional Stability
See more on this Topic
The Joint U.S.-Israel Attacks Against Iran in 2025 and 2026 Have Exposed Some of the Most Egregious Pro-Iran Academics to the General Public
Harvard Seems Unserious About Changing Its Moribund, Antisemitic Culture
The University Is Preparing to Hire Yet Another Credentialed, Israel-Hating, BDS Activist for a Very High-Profile Job