The videos of speakers and panels from MEF’s May Policy Conference in Washington, D.C., “Statecraft Reimagined,” are now online. The link just below will take you to all the offerings, and we hope you’ll enjoy what you find.

We begin this issue with domestic developments in the U.S.A. Islamist Watch director Sam Westrop reveals that Plano, Texas, has handed over $1.2 million to terror-aligned charities. Lone Star Senator Ted Cruz is on the cusp of introducing a bill to force designation of the Muslim Brotherhood as a Foreign Terrorist Organization—a move supported by MEF’s Jim Hanson. Turkish media in the U.S. may run into legal trouble for being lackeys of the ruling Islamist party, AKP, as Abdullah Bozkurt reports.

Sunni violence against Syria’s Alawite minority continues, reports Sirwan Kajjo. Lazar Berman outlines ten truths about the Gaza War and concludes that victory is still within Israel’s reach. We end with Raymond Ibrahim’s correction of what now passes for mainstream historiography as found in the work of Georgetown’s pro-Islamist professor, John Esposito.

WATCH: Speakers and Panels from MEF Policy Conference 2025

We’re pleased to announce that video recordings from our third annual Middle East Forum Policy Conference are now available for viewing.
This year’s gathering in Washington brought together nearly 200 policy experts, diplomats, and thought leaders under the theme “Statecraft Reimagined.” The discussions yielded concrete policy proposals that promise to influence America’s Middle East strategy in the coming years.

The conference opened with a remarkable keynote by Masih Alinejad, who defied medical advice following recent surgery to deliver her message. Her journey—from a child chanting “Death to America” in revolutionary Iran to a woman now targeted for assassination by that same regime—exemplifies the transformation possible when freedom prevails. Her message was unequivocal: the path forward demands an end to negotiations, concessions, and any form of legitimacy for terrorist regimes. The fantasy that Iran’s rulers can be moderated must be abandoned.

Our panels assembled an exceptional range of expertise. Sessions explored topics including the westward migration of Islamist movements, Syria’s post-Assad landscape, and how American taxpayer funds inadvertently support adversaries. The caliber of participation—including Congressman Randy Fine, diplomats from Oman, the Netherlands, France, Greece, and Cyprus, alongside senior intelligence officials—underscored MEF’s distinctive role in translating research into policy action.

To view the full lineup of panels and keynotes from the conference, click here.

Plano, TX, Hands $1.2 Million to Radical Terror-Aligned Charities, Including Controversial EPIC City

Plano has funneled $1.2 million to Islamist organizations, including those linked to terror activities, challenging the city's commitment to security.

Why it matters: This financial backing raises serious questions about the city's judgment and potential complicity in supporting radical ideologies that threaten public safety.

The bottom line: Despite being under intense investigation by state and federal agencies, including the Texas Rangers and the Department of Justice, EPIC received $142,921 from Plano on May 9, 2025.

The stakes: EPIC’s head, Yasir Qadhi, is a prominent imam with a long history of involvement in Islamist causes. Some years ago, Qadhi openly expressed hatred for Jews and advanced Holocaust denial ideas.

What's next: The Middle East Forum will continue to scrutinize and report on government support of Islamist extremism nationwide.

To read the full article, click here.

Ted Cruz Is Right. Designate the Muslim Brotherhood

The Muslim Brotherhood, often cited as “the world’s incubator of modern Islamic terrorism,” continues to exert influence through both violent and civilizational jihad.

Why it matters: Despite officially renouncing violence, the Brotherhood's support for groups like Hamas and Al Qaeda highlights its ongoing commitment to Islamist supremacy.

The latest: Sen. Ted Cruz aims to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, aligning U.S. policy with countries like Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

The stakes: Designating the Brotherhood could bolster U.S. relations with allies concerned about Islamist extremism while curbing the Brotherhood's influence.

What they're saying: Egyptian-born scholar Cynthia Farahat, author of a book on the Brotherhood, describes the organization as “the world’s incubator of modern Islamic terrorism” and “the world’s most dangerous militant cult.”

To read the full article, click here.

Turkey’s State Broadcaster TRT May Have Violated U.S. Foreign Agent Law

Türkiye Radyo Televizyon Kurumu (TRT), Turkey’s state-run broadcaster, is under scrutiny for potentially submitting false information in its United States Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) disclosure.

Why it matters: Misrepresentation could lead to severe legal consequences for TRT’s Washington director, Enes Adli, including fines and imprisonment.

The big picture: Under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, "political activity" includes influencing United States policy, which TRT’s actions seemingly fall under.

What's next: Critics argue that TRT has strayed far from its mission as a public service broadcaster and now operates as a de facto extension of the administration of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, functioning more like a propaganda outlet for the ruling party than an independent media organization.

The stakes: As TRT continues to influence global perceptions, its potential Foreign Agents Registration Act violations highlight the need for transparency in foreign media operations.

To read the full article, click here.

Joel Burnie on the Australian Elections and the Middle East

In May, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's Labor Party won a significant electoral victory, altering Australia's longstanding stance towards Israel.

Why it matters: Australia's shift from a strong pro-Israel position to a "pro-Israel light" stance aligns with Western European allies but marks a departure from its traditional bipartisan support for Israel.

The latest: Despite federal and state responses, Jewish communities remain fearful, while legislation to appoint an antisemitism envoy faces governmental pushback.

The stakes: Albanese's government prioritizes maintaining a strategic alliance with the United States through the AUKUS (Australia/U.K./U.S.) agreement, emphasizing regional security and defense.

What's next: As geopolitical tensions rise, Australia seeks to balance its Middle Eastern policies with its Indo-Pacific commitments.

To read the full summary and watch the podcast, click here.

Sectarian Violence Against Syria’s Alawites Has Not Stopped

The collapse of the Assad regime in December 2024 ended decades of oppression against Syria’s Sunni majority but ignited violence against the Alawite community.

Why it matters: Sectarian tensions have escalated under the new Islamist Hay’at al-Tahrir regime, leading to retaliatory attacks on Alawites.

The latest: The interim government’s inquiry into the killings lacks transparency and independence, raising doubts about its effectiveness.

The stakes: Recent reports indicate government-affiliated armed groups continue raids on Alawite homes in the coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus, intensifying fear and instability.

What's next: Global focus is essential to ensure accountability and prevent further sectarian violence, as the interim government employs plausible deniability to distance itself from attacks.

To read the full article, click here.

For Now, Victory Is Still Within Reach: 10 Truths About the Gaza War, 20 Months In

More than 600 days after Hamas's October 7, 2023, massacre, Israel's military operations continue, but victory remains elusive.

Why it matters: Despite tactical successes against Hezbollah and in Gaza, Israel hasn't achieved its strategic goals, and its international standing is eroding.

The big picture: Israel's war against Hezbollah has been successful, with significant gains and a new anti-Hezbollah government in Lebanon.

What's next: Israel needs a clear postwar plan for Gaza to bolster international support and legitimize ongoing military efforts.

The stakes: Israel's strategy focuses on incremental gains, but without decisive action, the risk of losing momentum increases.

To read the full article, click here.

Oxford University Publishes Fake History to Demonize Christians, Whitewash Islam

In a biased, politicized work, Georgetown's John Esposito asserts that Muslims and Christians coexisted peacefully for centuries until the First Crusade (1096-1099) disrupted harmony.

Why it matters: Esposito's narrative, published by Oxford University Press, influences many students and distorts historical facts.

The big picture: Eyewitnesses like William of Tyre and Fulcher of Chartres documented Christian suffering, which contradicts Esposito's portrayal of the Crusades as unprovoked aggression.

Fresh falsehoods: Esposito cites Francis E. Peters (d. 2020) to claim that Christians in Jerusalem were unperturbed before the Crusades, ignoring extensive historical records of violence and oppression.

The stakes: Such misrepresentations perpetuate biased narratives and skew historical understanding.

To read the full article, click here.

Further Reading:

We hope you enjoyed this issue of the Dispatch and that it was useful in understanding the complex issues central to MEF’s mission. If you enjoyed it, please pass it along to a friend, and please share your thoughts in the comments.

Thank you,

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