MEF Dispatch: Hamas's Strategy of Martyrdom, Why the Kurds Are Important, and A Druze Leader Speaks

MEF Dispatch: Hamas's Martyrdom Strategy, Why the Kurds Are Important, and A Druze Leader Speaks

By Winfield Myers ● Mar 03, 2025

Smart Brevity® count: 6 mins...1616 words

We begin today with Daniel Pipes’s analysis of Hamas’s perverse martyrdom strategy of winning by losing. Next, four articles examine the plight of Middle Eastern minorities: three treat the Kurds in Turkey, Syria, and Iraq, recognizing some of the Kurds’ pro-Western views and history of alignment with the U.S. Another features an interview with a Druze leader in Syria. We end with an assessment of Libya’s fragility and what the U.S. can do to stabilize the fractured country.

ICYMI: “The October 7 War: Israel’s Battle for Security in Gaza” with Seth Frantzman

Seth Frantzman’s latest book, The October 7 War: Israel’s Battle for Security in Gaza, looks into the devastating Hamas attack on Israel, the battles that followed, and the global forces at play. In preparing the book, the author had exclusive access to IDF soldiers and commanders and to military strategists. Mr. Frantzman will in this talk explore how Israel responded to the October 7 attacks, and what this conflict means for the future of the Middle East. How did Hamas orchestrate such a deadly assault? What role did international players have? And how will this war reshape the region?

Seth Frantzman is an adjunct fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. The author of three books, he is the acting news editor and senior Middle East correspondent and analyst at The Jerusalem Post. He has written for a variety of media, including the Wall Street Journal, The Hill, The Spectator, the National Interest, and other outlets. He holds a B.A. in history and political science from the University of Arizona and a Ph.D. from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

To watch the full podcast, click here.

The Genteel Martyrdom of Israel Haters

Hamas exploits violence to manipulate global perception, turning devastation into a tool for gaining sympathy. It wins politically by losing militarily.

Why it matters: This cynical tactic aims to demonize Israel while courting international outrage, leveraging Palestinian suffering as a strategic asset.

The atrocities, drawing on the Leftist tool of victimization, are designed to provoke, making Israel appear as the villain on the world stage simply for defending itself against attack.

The big picture: By casting Palestinians as the oppressed, Hamas taps into a global narrative of victimhood, rallying support from radical leftists and Islamists alike.

The strategy fuels antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiments, igniting protests and condemnation of Israel worldwide.

What's next: Hamas’s approach is sparking push-backs as Western societies grow increasingly intolerant of such disruptive tactics.

Despite some initial success, the Hamas allies’ fighting-to-lose strategy appears doomed in the West.

To read the full article, click here.

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We are also pleased to announce that, thanks to a generous contribution from an anonymous donor, we are able to offer a select number of general admission tickets at a discounted rate of $550. These tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Be sure to get yours now.

To register, click here.

Kurds Would Be Foolish to Trust Turkey’s Peace

Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) founder Abdullah Öcalan calls for the PKK to disarm, urging them to convene a congress to lay down arms, but the path to peace is fraught with obstacles.

Why it matters: The call for disarmament is significant but lacks a clear democratic successor, risking further instability among Kurds.

Without a viable alternative, disarmament could weaken Kurdish defense against threats like the Islamic State and Turkey.

The backdrop: Turkey's history of oppressive tactics against the Kurds complicates trust, with past ceasefires broken by violence.

Turkish President Erdoğan's regime has previously exploited disarmament efforts to attack the Kurds.

What's next: Genuine reconciliation requires Turkey to address its own authoritarian practices and human rights abuses.

Establishing a truth and reconciliation committee in Turkey could pave the way for real change, but Erdoğan is not ready to live at peace with his neighbors.

To read the full article, click here.

Why and How Trump’s Renewed America First Agenda Should Include the Kurds

Trump's 2019 troop withdrawal from Kurdish-controlled Rojava in northern Syria underscores America's shifting alliances and strategic interests in the Middle East.

Why it matters: The withdrawal exposed the Kurds to Turkish aggression, challenging their role as key allies in the fight against ISIS and Iranian proxies.

While the Kurds in Iraq and Syria have been reliable partners, the U.S.'s inconsistent policy reflects the broader geopolitical complexities of the region.

The big picture: Trump's second term may redefine U.S.-Kurdish relations, leveraging their democratic values to counter regional authoritarianism.

Kurdish governance aligns with U.S. interests by offering stability and a counterbalance to Iranian and Turkish expansions.

What's next: As Trump continues to push for troop withdrawals, the U.S. should maintain its commitment to Kurdish protection, balancing regional security with its own strategic objectives.

The Kurds’ resilience and commitment to Western principles make them indispensable allies in the volatile Middle East landscape.

To read the full article, click here.

Voice of America’s Kurdish Service Needs Top-to-Bottom Reform

VOA Kurdish's outdated approach to its mission risks undermining U.S. influence and credibility amid escalating Middle Eastern tensions.

Why it matters: By clinging to obsolete strategies, VOA Kurdish squanders its potential to counter authoritarian regimes and promote democracy.

Too many VOA managers and journalists believe criticism of U.S. policy buys credibility.

Focusing narrowly on the Sorani dialect, it neglects the majority of Kurds in Turkey and critical areas in Syria and Iran, leaving them vulnerable to propaganda.

The big picture: As Turkey prepares for an invasion of Syrian Kurdistan and Iraqi elections approach, the Kurdish fight for autonomy intensifies.

VOA's failure to adapt its broadcasts to current realities allows adversaries to fill the informational void and spread anti-Western narratives.

What's next: Immediate restructuring of VOA Kurdish is crucial to align with U.S. strategic goals, prioritizing Kurmanji, the most widely spoken Kurdish dialect, and rooting out internal biases.

If VOA Kurdish can't meet these challenges, Congress should reconsider its funding and purpose, ensuring taxpayer dollars aren't wasted on ineffective operations.

To read the full article, click here.

Druze Factions of al-Suwayda': Interview with a Member of Kata’ib Dir’ al-Tawhid

The Syrian Druze province of Al-Suwayda' comes into focus as Druze factions like Kata’ib Dir‘ al-Tawhid navigate regional pressures and shifting alliances post-Assad. Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi interviewed a representative from the faction.

Why it matters: The Druze in al-Suwayda’ challenge the new Syrian regime’s authority while maintaining a pragmatic stance toward Israel, driven by a desire for local stability and autonomy.

Kata’ib Dir‘ al-Tawhid coordinates with local factions but remains skeptical of merging with the central government in Damascus.

The big picture: Israeli statements about protecting the Druze and demilitarizing the province add complexity to the province's already tense dynamics.

Misleading claims about Druze intentions to join Israel exacerbate tensions and highlight the delicate balance of local and regional interests.

What's next: As the Druze in al-Suwayda' continue to assert their position, their interactions with emerging entities like the Military Council will be pivotal.

Their strategic alignment will influence regional power structures and potentially reshape the geopolitical landscape in southern Syria.

To read the full article, click here.

Libya: The Battleground of Superpowers, Islamism, and Corruption

Libya's descent into chaos following the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 has turned it into a battleground for foreign powers, jeopardizing regional stability and U.S. interests.

Why it matters: Libya's strategic location and vast oil reserves make it a geopolitical linchpin, yet its instability threatens to unravel the fragile peace in North Africa and beyond.

The turmoil invites foreign powers like Russia and Turkey to expand their influence, risking a proxy conflict that undermines U.S. regional dominance.

The big picture: Libya's lawlessness serves as a breeding ground for jihadist groups, Islamists, and transnational criminals, exacerbating regional conflicts and threatening global security.

The unchecked migration routes from Libya strain European relations and could ignite larger geopolitical tensions, drawing the U.S. into deeper involvement.

What's next: To prevent Libya from becoming a failed state, the U.S. should cooperate with regional allies and lead a decisive strategy involving diplomatic pressure on foreign powers, intelligence-sharing with regional allies, and targeted sanctions against corrupt elites.

The U.S. should recognize that inaction is not an option—because what happens in Libya won’t stay in Libya. If Washington fails to act, the consequences will be felt far beyond North Africa.

To read the full article, click here.

Further Reading:

“New Iraqi Kurdish Cabinet Prioritizes Fiefdoms Over Unity”
By: Kamal Chomani
Neither the KDP nor the PUK wants to compromise, but they no longer can delay cabinet formation.

“Turkish Intelligence Has Established an Operations Hub in Niger to Project Power Across Africa”
By: Abdullah Bozkurt
Turkish intelligence expands operations into Niger, a strategic hub connecting North and Sub-Saharan Africa, to advance the political goals of President Erdoğan’s Islamist government.

“Another Coptic Church ‘Catches Fire’; Authorities Blame Candle (Again)”
By: Raymond Ibrahim
It seems more Coptic churches than any other kind keep “catching fire.”

Thank you for your support and for relying on the Middle East Forum for cogent analyses of this crucial region. If you enjoyed this issue of the MEF Dispatch, please forward it to a friend. We invite you to use the comments feature to let us know your thoughts on the Dispatch and the issues we cover.

Sincerely,

Winfield Myers
Managing Editor, Middle East Forum
Director, Campus Watch

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