Dear Reader:
As the year wanes, a chilling breeze of conflict sweeps across the Middle East, reminding us that our vigilance must not falter. The complexity of the region's strife has deepened, with three fronts of conflict revealing the interconnected nature of the challenges we face.
Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza, the persistent skirmishes with Hezbollah in the north of Israel, and the maritime aggression by the Houthis highlight a pivotal moment not just for the region, but for the world. These conflicts, though distinct in their geography, are united by a common thread of destabilization, orchestrated by the long arm of Iran's influence, aiming to reshape the strategic balance in favor of political Islam.
In the north, the low- to medium-intensity battle between Israel and Hezbollah simmers, with daily exchanges of fire marking a reality that international media has too often overlooked. The strategic implications are profound, as nearly 86,000 Israelis have been displaced, awaiting a resolution that diplomacy alone has failed to secure.
Gaza stands as a testament to tactical successes yet strategic uncertainties. While Israel advances, the pressures of time—military, diplomatic, and humanitarian—converge in a complex narrative, with adversaries hoping to outlast and outmaneuver through the exploitation of hostages and international sentiment.
And in the waters of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, a maritime campaign by the Houthis threatens not only regional security but the arteries of global trade. The economic repercussions reverberate far beyond the immediate theater of conflict, with escalating oil prices and disrupted shipping lanes underscoring the global stakes at hand.
This is a hinge point, a moment where the tides will either turn towards a reshaping of the Middle East by Iran and its proxies, or where a stand by those who oppose this tide will redefine the future.
We at the Middle East Forum understand the gravity of this moment. We are committed to ensuring that the cause of freedom and the fight against extremism are upheld with unwavering resolve. But we cannot do this alone. Your support is crucial in these decisive hours.
Your end-of-year contribution is more than a donation; it's a commitment to a cause that transcends borders and touches the very fabric of international security and prosperity. |
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| With your help, we can continue to: Provide in-depth analysis that unravels the complexities of these intertwined conflicts. Advocate for robust policies that support America's allies and counteract adversarial influences. Inform and influence the public discourse to ensure that the true nature of these threats is understood. As we prepare to usher in a new year, let us do so not with trepidation but with the confidence that our combined efforts will contribute to a future where peace and security are not mere aspirations but tangible realities. |
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Our mailing address is:
Middle East Forum
1650 Market Street, Suite 3600
Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA |
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Thank you for your steadfast support in these pivotal times.
Yours sincerely,
Gregg Roman
Director
P.S. The future is written by the actions we take today. Please consider making your year-end contribution now, enabling us to enter 2024 with the strength and resources necessary to advance our mission.
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PAYMENT OPTIONS
Please address all questions about contributions to Gregg Roman, Roman@MEForum.org or 215-546-5406 ext. 104.
(1) Online via Credit Card: Supporting the Forum is most easily done at our website by clicking here. (The website is secure and encrypted; your personal information cannot be read as it travels through the Internet.)
(2) Personal Check via the Postal Service: Please make a check payable to “Middle East Forum” and mail it to:
Middle East Forum
1650 Market Street, Suite 3600
Philadelphia, PA 19103, USA
(3) Stock Donations: Donations of stock may be wired to:
Vanguard Marketing Corporation
Account Name: The Middle East Forum
Account Number: 59334817
DTC Number: 0062
Donations of stock may be sent by U.S. mail (with a letter of instruction) and sent to:
Vanguard
P.O. Box 1110
Valley Forge, PA 19482-1110
If you donate stock, please email us at donations@MEForum.org or call 215-546-5406 x104 to inform us of the gift so that we may thank you.
(4) Planned Giving: A gift in perpetuity enhances the Forum’s capabilities while allowing you to transfer more wealth to your heirs at a lower cost. Each of the following 4 methods serves a different purpose and fits a specific investment plan: Charitable Bequest – to remove assets from a taxable estate and make a larger contribution than may be possible during one’s lifetime. Life Insurance – to gain a charitable income tax deduction for the cash surrender value and premiums of a life insurance policy. Retirement Plan – to reduce the size of a taxable estate, avoid income taxation on those funds, avoid income and estate taxes, and increase the amounts passing to heirs. Charitable Trust – to see philanthropy in action, making transfers to heirs at a lower tax cost and designating beneficiaries to receive payments for life or a term of years. Three types of Charitable Trusts: Charitable Remainder Trust, Charitable Lead Trust, Retained Life Estate.
For more information on MEF's Legacy Society, please contact Gregg Roman, MEF's director, at 215-546-5406 ext. 104 or Roman@MEForum.org.
ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTION INFORMATION
Benefits: We offer a wide range of benefits and gifts to donors, such as invitations to events (Click here for details.)
International Donations: International donations to the Middle East Forum in a non-U.S. currency are most easily done via PayPal, which draws on one’s credit card, debit card, or bank account. If you do not have PayPal, please contact Gregg Roman at 215-546-5406 ext. 104 or Roman@MEForum.org.
Nonprofit Status: The Middle East Forum is a publicly supported, nonprofit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, meaning donations are tax deductible within the United States.
United Way: Donations through United Way's Donor Choice Program, MEF’s Agency Code is 52445.
Combined Federal Campaign: The Forum is now included in the Combined Federal Campaign, available to Federal workers. Please see https://www.opm.gov/combined-federal-campaign/ for more details.
Political and Economic Analyses: Middle East Forum staff members are available on contract to do political and economic analyses.
Privacy Policy: The Middle East Forum is committed to protecting the privacy of each donor's personal information. The Middle East Forum securely maintains records of each donor's giving history solely for our internal use and record keeping. The Middle East Forum will only report the donor's personal information to the appropriate government agencies as required by law. The Middle East Forum will not intentionally give, rent, sell or share any of the donor's personal information with a third party except as required by law. The Middle East Forum supports the Association of Fundraising Professionals' Donor Bill of Rights. |
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The Middle East Forum, an activist think tank, deals with the Middle East, Islamism, U.S. foreign policy, and related topics, urging bold measures to protect Americans and their allies. Pursuing its goals via intellectual, operational, and philanthropic means, the Forum recurrently has policy ideas adopted by the U.S. government.
(215) 546-5406 | www.MEForum.org | @MEForum |
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