| | | | MEF Dispatch: The Purpose of Foreign Aid, Trump’s Gaza Gambit, Syria’s Worrisome Future, & Islamist Obstructionism at Home By Winfield Myers ● Feb 09, 2025 Smart Brevity® count: 5.5 mins...1505 words In light of Trump’s crackdown on foreign aid, what is that aid’s purpose, from humanitarian assistance to military goods to greasing palms—and does it serve the taxpaying public? Trump’s also shaking up Gaza’s future, but to what end? Israel, tragically, faces a “monstrous blackmail” by Hamas. In Syria, while Europe tries to cover all its bases diplomatically, the Syrians worry that HTS plans to create an Islamist, sharia-based rule that leaves little room for minorities, including the well-armed, secular, and pro-Western Kurds. Here in North America, Islamists in the U.S. work to thwart law enforcement officers from doing their jobs, thereby enabling potentially dangerous illegal immigrants to remain in the country. And in Canada, an Islamic nonprofit has invited a British Islamist preacher to speak at an upcoming conference even though he has called pedophilia “relative” and condoned having sex with minors. | Blankets, Bombs, or Bribes: Why Give Foreign Aid? By: Daniel Pipes and Michael Rubin The Trump administration's freeze on USAID grants has sparked a critical reevaluation of its foreign aid efficacy. Why it matters: USAID's funding has been linked to groups with troubling affiliations, raising serious national security concerns. Under Samantha Power's leadership, $122 million was directed to entities with ties to designated terrorists. This misuse of aid underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive review of USAID's operations. The stakes: For decades, USAID has operated under the assumption that more money equals success. Yet, examples like the misallocation of malaria funds in Africa highlight a systemic failure to deliver aid where it's needed most. What’s next: The administration's scrutiny aims to redirect aid towards more strategic and accountable uses. Future aid policies may prioritize national security and transparency, ensuring funds do not inadvertently support adversarial interests. To read the full article, click here. | Trump’s Gaza Plan Won’t Happen, but It Could Certainly Shake Up the Region By: Lazar Berman President Trump stunned the world with his proposal for the U.S. to take over the Gaza Strip, marking a potential shift in Middle Eastern policy. Why it matters: This bold move challenges conventional diplomacy and could redefine U.S. influence in the region. The plan to dismantle weapons in Gaza risks inflaming regional tensions but underscores a direct approach to security concerns. The backlash: Key players like Egypt and Jordan view this as a threat to their stability and sovereignty, pushing back against U.S. pressure. Trump's confidence in leveraging U.S. aid to gain compliance faces significant geopolitical hurdles. Opportunities ahead: Despite resistance, this proposal opens doors for new diplomatic strategies and alliances. Trump’s willingness to move beyond decades-old failed ideas could open the debate to novel approaches to the Palestinian issue. To read the full article, click here. | Free 100 Terrorists to Save a Jew Today and Sacrifice 100 Jews Tomorrow By: Giulio Meotti Israel's history of releasing terrorists in prisoner exchanges continues to haunt its national security, as freed individuals often return to orchestrate deadly attacks. Why it matters: These exchanges embolden terrorists, undermine Israeli security, and lead to further bloodshed. Sami Jaradat, responsible for the Maxim restaurant massacre, is now free, highlighting the cycle of violence and the tragic cost of such deals. Historical context: Over decades, Israel has exchanged thousands of terrorists for a few citizens, with devastating consequences. The 2011 Shalit deal exemplifies this, where released terrorists orchestrated future attacks, including the 2023 kidnappings and murders. The harsh reality: The monstrous blackmail that Israel agreed to pay to the Gaza Jihad also feeds on the psychological torment of those who have returned. Such is the nature of the choice Israel has faced in negotiating hostage deals since 251 people were kidnapped on October 7. To read the full article, click here. | Europe’s Pragmatic Approach to Syria Rooted in Afghanistan Debacle By: Loqman Radpey Europe's swift engagement with Syria's new leadership contrasts sharply with its continued refusal to recognize the Taliban. Why it matters: This dual approach highlights Europe's strategic balancing of moral imperatives with geopolitical realities. By supporting Syria's transitional government, Europe aims to curb Russia's influence and alleviate the refugee burden. Geopolitical shift: Syria's interim government projects pragmatism, distancing itself from Assad's regime and Islamist ties. This contrasts with the Taliban's regressive policies, which solidified their pariah status in the West. Looking forward: Europe hopes to leverage lessons from Afghanistan, cautiously supporting Damascus to foster stability and security in the region. HTS’s current focus on religious and ethnic coexistence aligns with European values, offering a stark contrast to the Taliban's governance. To read the full article, click here. | Syrian-Kurdish Foreign Affairs Chief to ‘Post': ‘Syria’s Security Needs Israel Involved'—Interview By: Jonathan Spyer In the aftermath of Assad's fall, the Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration of North East Syria (AANES) asserts its vision for a progressive, inclusive society. Why it matters: Controlling 30 percent of Syria, including vital resources, the Syrian Kurds are pivotal in advocating for women's rights, decentralization, and secularism. Their strategic stance serves as a counterbalance to extremist ideologies and authoritarian rule. Current tensions: The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), representing AANES, face opposition from Damascus's HTS, which rejects their inclusive approach. HTS's centralizing, Islamist agenda threatens to undermine the Kurds' hard-won achievements. Future prospects: With continued U.S. support, the Syrian Kurds aim to solidify their democratic model as a beacon of stability in the region. Having spent 14 years building, with considerable sacrifice, what they currently hold, they will not concede it lightly. To read the rest of the interview, click here. | Is Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham Laying the Groundwork for Renewed Dictatorship in Syria? By: Sirwan Kajjo Ahmed al-Sharaa's rise as Syria's interim president signals a dangerous entrenchment of HTS's Islamist agenda. Why it matters: HTS's control over Syria's state institutions marks a stark departure from any hope for pluralism, steering the country towards Sunni Islamist dominance. This power grab threatens to erase minority rights and institutionalize extremism under the guise of governance. Strategic maneuvers: By dismantling Assad-era structures, HTS paves the way for autocratic rule, manipulating Gulf aid to project itself as a savior amid widespread destitution. This cynical exploitation of resources bolsters their image while suffocating any dissent. The harsh reality: Al-Sharaa's regime is poised to dictate Syria's political landscape, marginalizing liberal forces fighting for genuine reform. The international community's silence risks emboldening this authoritarian shift, complicating efforts for future reconciliation and stability. The few remaining liberal forces in Syria have a tough battle in the years ahead. To read the full article, click here. | Islamists Obstruct Efforts to Deport Criminal Aliens By: Anna Stanley As President Trump enforces stricter immigration policies, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) actively obstructs the U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement’s (ICE) efforts, sparking national security debates. Why it matters: CAIR's guidance to shield illegal immigrants challenges ICE's ability to enforce immigration laws, potentially endangering public safety. By advising noncompliance, CAIR may inadvertently protect individuals who pose security risks. Tactics in play: CAIR's newsletters instruct noncitizens to evade ICE, undermining enforcement priorities and complicating operations. The organization has a history of opposing ICE, even defending individuals with criminal convictions. The broader context: As CAIR and allies like Rep. Ilhan Omar continue their resistance, the debate intensifies over whether such organizations should operate freely while opposing U.S. law enforcement. ICE stresses that misinformation can lead to violence, placing everyone at risk. To read the full article, click here. | Islamist Provocateur Who Condoned Pedophilia to Speak near Toronto By: Joe Adam George The i3 Institute's invitation to Mohammed Hijab for the "Reviving Roots" conference in Canada draws significant criticism. Why it matters: Hijab, known for extremist views, poses a threat to community harmony and public safety. His rhetoric includes antisemitic, anti-LGBT, and pro-terror sentiments, raising alarm among Canadian Jewish organizations. Community response: Local leaders, including Burlington's mayor, have condemned the event, emphasizing the city's commitment to tolerance and safety. B’nai Brith Canada warns that Hijab's presence could embolden radical elements and endanger vulnerable communities. The broader issue: This incident highlights Canada's growing challenge with extremist influences and the need for vigilance against radicalization. It remains to be seen if Canadian authorities will heed the warnings of moderate Muslims to deal with Islamist extremists who pose a clear and present threat when it comes to radicalizing and recruiting vulnerable Muslim youth. To read the full article, click here. | Further Reading: “A History of ‘Crusade and Jihad’ (With Zero Jihad)”
By: Raymond Ibrahim
It encapsulates the misrepresentations and errors of history that have caused the West to become clueless about the roots of its conflict with Islam. “Trump Urged to Look Into U.S. Funding of Lebanese Army amid Accusations of Its Ties to Hezbollah”
By: Benjamin Weinthal
The London-based Times newspaper reported last week that a Lebanese Armed Forces chief sent a classified document to Hezbollah. “Will U.S.-Cyprus Relations Continue to Advance in a Second Trump Term?”
By: Nicoletta Kouroushi
Cyprus has been an enabler of Middle East stability and a bridge between the European Union and the Arab world. | | The Dispatch strives to bring you concise analyses of the day’s most pressing issues. Our next issue will include more on the Trump administration’s latest shake-up of the status quo, defeating the Houthi terrorists of Yemen, and other matters that influence our world. Sincerely,
Winfield Myers
Managing Editor, MEF
Director, Campus Watch | | Was this edition useful?
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