| | | | Qatar: A Skilled Enemy; Indian Islamism; and the Pitfalls of Dealing with Iran By Winfield Myers ● Apr 11, 2025 Smart Brevity® count: 6.5 mins...1683 words In a recent interview, Daniel Pipes offers grudging admiration for Qatar’s ability to “acquire influence at the highest levels”—to the detriment of all who fall under its spell, including the Trump administration and Benjamin Netanyahu. On the latter, Lazar Berman takes a deep dive into “Qatargate” in Israel and finds the only winners to be Israel’s enemies. Those now include the growing population of Islamists in India, who may target Israelis and Jews in that land. We then turn to Iran, warning that any deal with Tehran that doesn’t include rights for the country’s many minorities will only worsen oppression at home and destabilize the region. Michael Rubin argues that a key point of consensus for Iranians is their disdain for the Mujahedin-e-Khalq Organization—known for attacking its opponents more vehemently than it attacks Supreme Leader Khamenei. Finally, we’re reminded that, for all the brutality of the regime in Tehran, encouraging ethnic separatism plays into the Islamic Republic’s hands. | Qatar, A Skilled Enemy: Interview with Daniel Pipes Interview with L'Informale (Italy) The Qatar Investment Authority's $623 million purchase of the Park Lane Hotel from President Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff reveals Qatar's aggressive strategy to extend its influence. Why it matters: Qatar is not just flexing its financial muscle but strategically embedding itself in global power networks. Probably not a single U.S. Middle East hand had even heard of Steve Witkoff before the November 2024 elections but the Qataris found him and already in August 2023 bought the Park Lane from him in a sweetheart deal. The big picture: Qatar, with its vast gas reserves, has cleverly transformed itself into a geopolitical heavyweight, wielding influence in unexpected quarters. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu states that Qatar “is not an enemy country, and many praise it,” despite it supporting Hamas for decades. Netanyahu praises Qatar for the same reasons as Witkoff praises Hamas: in pursuit of a deal. Yes, but: Qatar’s clever use of its money to further Wahhabi goals makes it, along with Türkiye and Iran, the world’s foremost promoter of Islamism and jihad. Doha does so in a careful, balanced, long-term, and moneyed way that succeeds impressively well. Israel vs. Hamas: Two major developments have impeded Israel from winning: its hostages and Hamas’s allies. Hamas is likely to survive under some arrangement adverse to Israel’s and the West’s interests. Israel’s longest war will also prove its least successful. To read the full article, click here. | It’s Too Early to Know How Deep Qatargate Goes, but It’s Time to Ask Tough Questions By: Lazar Berman The Qatargate scandal unveils more than just a diplomatic faux pas; it exposes Qatar's insidious reach into Israel's political and strategic domains. Why it matters: The scandal jeopardizes the integrity of Israel's security policies and hostage negotiations, potentially compromising national interests. Qatar's deceptive influence aims to reshape regional power dynamics in its favor, threatening Israel's stability. Israel’s decision to elevate Qatar as a mediator at Egypt’s expense now has to be revisited in light of Qatargate allegations. The big picture: Despite its facade as a mediator, Qatar's history of supporting Islamists reveals a calculated strategy to manipulate geopolitical outcomes. Given this history and its ties with Iran, did granting Qatar such a central role in talks affect the outcome? Yes, but: The scandal further strains Israel-Egypt relations, pivotal for regional security. Allegations against Egypt, possibly fueled by Qatari agendas, disrupt crucial alliances and foster instability in the region. Was Qatar’s alleged influence on Netanyahu’s aides a factor in the decision to publicly slam Cairo — or does the scandal reach all the way to the top? To read the full article, click here. | New Speakers Announced! – Register Now for Our 2025 Policy Conference Register now for our 2025 policy conference, "Statecraft Reimagined" in Washington, D.C. – space is limited!
This conference will gather leading experts and policymakers to discuss the most urgent and complex issues shaping the future of the Middle East. This extraordinary event is poised to be the premier Middle East policy gathering in D.C. this year, offering unparalleled insights, networking, and strategic guidance. To register, click here. | Could Palestinian Terrorism Target Israelis and Jews in India? By: Abhinav Pandya Anti-Israel protests during Eid in India highlight the escalating radicalization among Indian Muslims, influenced by external actors. Why it matters: The radicalization poses a severe security threat to Israeli nationals and interests in India, as extremist sentiments grow. Israeli tourists and diplomats are at risk from radicalized individuals acting on behalf of terror groups. The big picture: India's security forces face challenges in countering these threats due to limited surveillance capabilities and the vastness of the country. The close ties between India and Israel could be jeopardized if the radicalization issue remains unaddressed. Yes, but: The influence of global Islamist actors like Turkey and Qatar exacerbates the situation, as they support radical elements within India. The radicalization of Indian Muslims and their indoctrination into anti-Israel causes will increasingly create a security nightmare if New Delhi and Jerusalem continue to ignore the problem or fail to develop strategies to counter it. To read the full article, click here. | Who Truly Benefits from a New U.S.-Iran Nukes Deal? By: Loqman Radpey President Trump's nuclear deal proposal to Iran faces outright rejection from Supreme Leader Khamenei, who labels it a "deception of public opinion." Why it matters: Iran's regime has a history of strategic deceit, often capitulating under pressure, yet exploiting deals to strengthen its oppressive apparatus. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action’s (JCPOA) economic relief primarily benefited Iran's elites, enabling intensified repression of marginalized groups and fueling the regime's military ambitions. The stakes: Ignoring human rights in a new deal would devastate Iran's minorities, including Kurds, Balochs, and Arabs, entrenching systematic persecution and economic disenfranchisement. Sanctions relief without accountability would empower the regime's military-industrial complex, further oppressing dissidents and minorities. What's next: Ultimately, the goal of any nuclear deal should be to create conditions that empower the people of Iran to pursue democratic aspirations. A policy that prioritizes human rights alongside the security of Israel and the U.S. would be strategically effective in fostering long-term stability in the region. To read the full article, click here. | Mujahedin-e Khalq’s Tactics Undermine Iranian Regime Change By: Michael Rubin For over 45 years, the Iranian people have been shackled by a brutal clerical dictatorship responsible for terror and death across the region. Why it matters: The regime, a terrorist state, enjoys more support among Western "useful idiots" than from its oppressed citizens. The murder of Jina "Mahsa" Amini sparked fierce protests, with Iranians boldly demanding the downfall of Khamenei. The stakes: Iranians do not want external regime change, as they are determined to secure their freedom and unity independently. The MKO, with its murky past and divisive tactics, disrupts genuine opposition efforts, acting as a barrier to true liberation. Also, the MKO—and its leader Maryam Rajavi, for 40-years, its president-elect—were once fierce proponents of Khomeini’s Islamic Revolution. What's next: Iranians are resolute in their pursuit of democracy, wary of false promises from groups like the MKO that undermine grassroots opposition. Rather than work jointly toward the goal of ending an odious regime in Tehran, the MKO would rather attack any Iranians who do not blindly submit to Rajavi, live in her group homes, and fork over their income and, in some cases, children. To read the full article, click here. | Are Iran’s Azeris Really Separatists? By: Shay Khatiri Iran, one of the most ethnically diverse countries globally, is home to Persians, Azeris, Kurds, Baluch, Arabs, and more. This diversity defies simplistic Western interpretations. Why it matters: It is a mistake, however, to interpret ethnicity in Iran the same way as in the United States or Europe. In Iran, ethnicity is fluid, especially among larger ethnic groups like the Azeris who assimilate and inter-marry more. The big picture: Iranian nationalism is far more inclusive than perceived, with minority groups often rallying for unity rather than division. The regime exploits separatist narratives to legitimize its rule, using them as a boogeyman to bolster its nationalist credentials. Yes, but: Ethnic grievances persist, especially under Tehran's oppressive regime, which manipulates ethnic tensions to maintain control. Encouraging separatism plays into the hands of the Islamic Republic, undermining genuine calls for reform and unity. Living in one of the world’s worst tyrannies, every Iranian looks for some form of leverage against the Islamic Republic, but this does not mean abandoning Iranian identity. To read the full article, click here. | Sam Westrop: How USAID Helps Finance Islamist Terror By: Marilyn Stern #USAID has been engaged in recent years in financing Islamic terrorist organizations. A report by the Middle East Forum documents $122 million in taxpayer funds reaching extremist groups. This report has been reviewed and heard by the House DOGE subcommittee and is now under investigation for potential criminal referrals. The findings challenge long held assumptions about oversight and accountability in U.S. foreign aid. How did this happen? Was it negligence, incompetence, or something more? As investigations unfold, serious questions remain. Who is responsible? Will there be consequences? And what does this mean for the future of American aid policy? Sam Westrop has been the head of Islamist Watch at Middle East Forum since March 2017. Prior to this he was research director at Americans for Peace and Tolerance (APT), and ran Stand for Peace, a London-based counter-extremism organization monitoring Islamist activity in the U.K. His writings have appeared at National Review, National Post, and The Hill, and he has appeared on many television and radio stations, including BBC, Al Jazeera, and Newsmax. To watch the full podcast, click here.
| Further Reading: There Should Be No Negotiations or Deal With Iran Absent Khamenei’s Signature
By: Shay Khatiri
If he is sincere about a nuclear agreement, Iran’s supreme leader will agree and ink the text. What Has Israel Done in Syria for the Kurds?
By: Loqman Radpey
Turkish drone strikes and air raids continue to target Kurdish areas.
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Managing Editor, Middle East Forum
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