MEF Dispatch: MEF Writing Fellows to Trump Admin.; New Travel Ban Protects Jews; Texas Gives Millions to Islamists; De Facto Blasphemy Law in U.K.

MEF Writing Fellows to Trump Admin.; New Travel Ban Protects Jews; Texas Gives Millions to Islamists; De Facto Blasphemy Law in U.K.

By Winfield Myers ● Jun 11, 2025

Smart Brevity® count: 7 mins...1913 words

Two now-former Middle East Forum writing fellows—Todd Bensman and Joseph Humire—have been appointed to senior positions in the Trump administration; kudos to both. President Trump’s new ban on the entry of nationals from 12 countries will protect Jews, argues Daniel Pipes, who counts 23 Muslim-on-Jewish attacks, planned or realized, in the U.S. since 1977, making Muslim assaults the most constant source of violence against American Jews.

Sam Westrop has a significant new study detailing how the Texas state government has handed over $13 million to mosques and community groups aligned with Hamas and other Islamist movements. In the U.K., reports Jules Gomes, a court ruling against a man who burned a Qur’an is a giant step toward the implementation of blasphemy laws for insulting Islam.

This issue’s article from the Summer 2025 Middle East Quarterly examines Iran’s growing intelligence operations in Denmark and Norway. After assessing the threat as serious, the authors recommend actions to mitigate it.

ICYMI: Israel Insider with Ashley Perry

Could these be the last days of Israel’s current governing coalition? What are the ramifications for the war if the Netanyahu government falls?

Ashley Perry is an advisor to the Middle East Forum’s Israel office. He served as adviser to Israel's minister of foreign affairs and deputy prime minister in 2009-15, and has also worked with Israel's Ministers of Intelligence, Agriculture and Rural Development, Energy, Water and Infrastructure, Defense, Tourism, Internal Security, and Immigrant Absorption and as an advisor to The Negev Forum. Originally from the U.K., he moved to Israel in 2001. He holds a B.A. from University College London and an M.A. from Reichman University (IDC Herzliya).

To watch the full podcast episode, click here.

Tomorrow: Peace Through Strength Webinar Series with special guest Gregg Roman

The American Security Council Foundation is proud to host Middle East Forum executive director Gregg Roman in this conversation examining regional stability and American interests in the Middle East. Mr. Roman will provide expert analysis of this consequential diplomatic journey, offering insights that go beyond the headlines to reveal the strategic calculations shaping U.S. policy in the region.

The discussion will explore if Saudi Arabia's evolving role represents a genuine transformation or calculated positioning. Mr. Roman will examine how Syria's complex landscape factors into American strategic planning. Particular attention will be given to Qatar's dual role as both partner and concern, analyzing how this small but influential nation continues to play multiple sides while hosting critical American military assets.

The conversation will also illuminate Oman's often-overlooked but increasingly vital position as a diplomatic bridge between adversaries, particularly regarding its potential role in expanding the Abraham Accords framework.

This timely discussion promises to deliver the kind of analysis that policymakers, business leaders, and informed citizens need to understand the rapidly evolving Middle Eastern landscape. Roman's unique position at the intersection of research and policy implementation ensures listeners will gain not just theoretical insights but practical understanding of how these diplomatic moves translate into real-world consequences for American interests, Israeli security, and regional stability.

To register for this webinar, click here.

Trump Administration Appoints Two MEF Writing Fellows to Senior Positions

Two Middle East Forum (MEF) writing fellows have taken senior roles in the Trump administration.

Why it matters: Their appointments highlight the Forum's influence in shaping U.S. security policy.

Todd Bensman: An MEF Milstein Writing Fellow prior to his appointment, he is now Senior Advisor for Border Security at the Department of Homeland Security.

An award-winning journalist, Bensman has deep experience in national security, including roles at the Center for Immigration Studies and the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Intelligence Division.

Joseph Humire: Served as an MEF Writing Fellow before his appointment as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense Integration and Defense Support of Civil Authorities. He is a a globally recognized expert on Latin American immigration and security.

He was previously executive director of the Center for a Secure Free Society.

His MEF work tackled Iran’s influence in the Americas and Islamist networks in Latin America.

The bottom line: Their roles underscore MEF's commitment to security-focused research that influences high-level decision-making, as emphasized by MEF executive director Gregg Roman.

To read the full press release, click here.

Trump’s Travel Ban Protects Jews

President Trump’s ban on nationals from 12 countries, including six Muslim-majority ones, followed an antisemitic attack in Boulder, Colorado.

Why it matters: The ban stems from ongoing concerns about Muslim-on-Jewish violence in the U.S., with 23 attacks since 1977.

This number does not include threats and property-only damage by Muslims, such as a rash of attacks on Chicago-area synagogues and Jewish-owned businesses in 2022.

The Boulder attack: Mohamed Sabry Soliman, an Egyptian migrant, targeted pro-Gaza marchers with Molotov cocktails, injuring 15 people.

Soliman had overstayed his visa and told his family “Jihad for God’s sake is more beloved to me than you.”

The broader context: Most attackers are immigrants from Muslim-majority societies, with many residing illegally in the U.S.

These attacks often stem from antipathy toward Israel or conspiracy theories about Jewish control of the world.

Some blame for these assaults goes to mosques that—along with Islamic schools, voluntary associations, and media—churn out an avalanche of antisemitic, anti-Zionist, anti-Christian, and anti-American content.

The challenge: Many attackers live as law-abiding citizens until they strike, complicating police efforts to prevent such violence.

Denial of this pattern persists among law enforcement and Jewish community leaders, despite clear motives from attackers.

Even more than other Americans, Jews need to worry about who enters the U.S. Mr. Trump’s border restrictions are a good start.

To read the full article at the Wall Street Journal, click here.

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.

Texas State Government Gives $13 Million to Islamist Mosques and Community Groups

The Texas state government has handed over $13 million of federal and state monies to mosques and community groups aligned with Islamist movements such as Hamas, the Muslim Brotherhood, and Jamaat-e-Islami, as well as hostile foreign regimes.

Why it matters:

This funding exposes how state resources are going to support organizations with extremist ties.

Beneficiary mosques: Twelve out of 18 recipient organizations showed Islamist influence, receiving 99.4 percent of the funds.

Notably, the Islamic Education Center of Houston and the Islamic Ahlul Bayt Association have ties to the Iranian regime.

The broader issue: In sermons reviewed by the Middle East Forum and published in this report, officials and imams of beneficiary mosques expressed rhetoric that was openly pro-terror and antisemitic.

While a few thousand dollars in the state government’s data consists of the return of escheated funds, the vast majority of the millions spent appear to be the result of direct state grants, subsidy programs, and federal sub-awards managed by the Texas state government.

The bottom line: State funds should be scrutinized to ensure they do not indirectly support organizations with extremist affiliations, as highlighted by the Middle East Forum's investigation.

To read the full article, click here.

U.K. Court Uses Public Order Law to Protect Muslim Sensibilities

A U.K. court's conviction of atheist Hamit Coskun for burning a Qur’an is a stark move towards silencing critiques of Islam.

Why it matters: This ruling dangerously cloaks Islam with protection from criticism, undermining free speech rights.

It means that hurting Muslims’ feelings is now a crime in Great Britain.

The incident: Coskun, a refugee from Turkey whose mother’s family was killed during the Armenian genocide, set fire to the Qur’an outside the Turkish Embassy and was assaulted by onlookers.

Despite being attacked, Coskun was fined £240, highlighting a double standard in religious critique.

In response to the verdict, Coskun asked “Would I have been prosecuted if I’d set fire to a copy of the bible outside Westminster Abbey? I doubt it.”

The broader implications: The decision emboldens efforts to legislate blasphemy laws under the guise of anti-Islamophobia.

Free speech campaigners rightly see this as a retreat from secular values, prioritizing sensitivity toward Islam over the right to free expression.

The bottom line: The ruling, while adhering to public order laws, effectively enforces a de facto blasphemy law, prompting an appeal by the Free Speech Union.

To read the full article, click here.

A Growing Security Threat: Iranian Intelligence Operations in Scandinavia (Part One: Denmark and Norway)

The Islamic Republic of Iran has been conducting intelligence operations in Scandinavia, targeting political opponents and foreign entities.

Why it matters: Iran’s activities in Denmark and Norway reveal a broader strategy that threatens European security and democratic values.

These operations emphasize Iran's ambitions to reshape regional power dynamics in its favor.

Intelligence footprint: The regime targets Iranian dissidents and seeks to influence EU decision-making, thereby exploiting weak governmental responses.

Iran employs cyber espionage and collaborates with criminal networks to extend its influence.

Strategic importance: Scandinavia's advanced industries and political influence make it a prime target for Tehran.

Iran's efforts to penetrate Scandinavian institutions highlight the region's pivotal role in its strategic agenda.

The bottom line: A coordinated response from Scandinavian governments is crucial to counter Tehran’s expanding influence and protect national sovereignty.

As the IRI continues to expand its global footprint, it is imperative for Denmark, Norway, and their European partners to adopt a more cohesive and proactive strategy to counter this growing threat.

Increased vigilance and international cooperation are essential to curtail these covert operations effectively.

To read the full article in the Middle East Quarterly, click here.

Further Reading:

How the Greece-Emirates Partnership Is Shifting the Eastern Mediterranean’s Balance
By: Nicoletta Kouroushi
The Emirates are Greece’s top non-European investor, and strategic infrastructure and defense coordination also link the two.

The Damascus Suburb of Jaramana After the Recent Violence: Interview
By: Aymenn Jawad al-Tamimi
More than a month on, what is the situation like now? What is the relationship between the suburb and the central government, particularly in matters pertaining to security?

How Washington’s Biggest Drill Exposes Tunisia’s Democratic Decay
By: Amine Ayoub
Washington is deepening military ties with a host nation whose leadership is steering away from democratic norms.

Thank you for your support and for subscribing to the Dispatch. If you enjoyed it, please forward it to a friend, and please let us know what you thought of this issue. You’ll hear from us again soon.

Sincerely,

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

Was this edition useful?

Your email will be recorded and shared with the sender

Powered by