Latest news with #YigalCarmon
Memri
4 days ago
- Politics
- Memri
The Qatar Weekly Update (QWU) – Part Of The Qatar Monitor Project (QMP) – No. 29, July 25, 2025
Left to right: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Syrian leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa, Qatari Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Aal Thani, victims of massacre of Druze in Suwayda, Syria. 1. MEMRI Daily Brief No. 817, Rising Again To The Historical Moment: "It is far more difficult to do this when your Islamist enemies – Erdoğan, Qatar, and now Al-Sharaa, aka Al-Jolani – pretend to be your allies. There is no propaganda trick that they would not play to pretend to be America's friends. By now, Qatar's trick is well known: Create a problem, like supporting the Taliban for years up to their takeover of Afghanistan with American casualties, then help move American troops to safety, in what Trump called the 'the greatest foreign policy humiliation' in U.S. history. Qatar does this everywhere on the planet. It supports Hamas, which committed the atrocities of October 7, and then presents itself as a mediator. Qatar supports every Islamist terrorist organization against its Westernized opponents." By Yigal Carmon, July 22, 2025. 2. MEMRI Special Dispatch No. 12085, The Qatar Air Force Monitor (QAFM) Project – Part II, July 18, 2025. 3. Reagan's Secretary of Education Joins Qatar's Payroll, The Free Press, July 22, 2025. 4. Why Al-Jazeera Should Be Designated As A Foreign Terrorist Organization, Gatestone Institute, July 21, 2025. 5. The Dangerous Illusion Of Friendship With Qatar And Other Hostile 'Allies," JNS, July 18, 2025. 6. Qatargate: Israeli Police Will Travel To Serbia For Legal Deposition For 'Qatargate' Suspect Einhorn – Report, The Jerusalem Post, July 20, 2025. 7. Turkey-Qatar Alliance Seen As Growing Threat To Israel, Israel Hayom, July 17, 2025. * Yigal Carmon is Founder and President of MEMRI.
Al Jazeera
4 days ago
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Israel is trying to hijack the Baloch struggle
As Israel loudly beat the drums of war one day before its unprovoked surprise attack on Iran, a small but significant piece of news slipped by almost unnoticed: The announcement of a new research project on the website of a Washington, DC think tank. On June 12, the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) announced the launch of the Balochistan Studies Project (BSP). Significantly, in addition to mentioning Balochistan's abundance of natural resources 'such as oil, gas, uranium, copper, coal, rare earth elements and the two deep seaports of Gwadar and Chabahar', MEMRI's statement justifies the project's necessity by identifying the region as 'the perfect outpost to counter and keep under control Iran, its nuclear ambitions, and its dangerous relations with Pakistan, which may provide Tehran with tactical nukes'. MEMRI is well known for its selective translation of snippets of Arabic, Persian and Turkish-language media, screenshots from which often end up being shared as memes on social media platforms. Originally founded in 1998, the think tank has consistently peddled a pro-Israel agenda, with its founder, Colonel Yigal Carmon, having served in the Israeli Military Intelligence Corps for more than 20 years. Additionally, MEMRI has been involved 'unofficially' in intelligence gathering for the Israeli state since at least 2012. Given this context, MEMRI's creation of the BSP can be seen as an indication of an Israeli attempt to co-opt the Baloch national struggle against both Iran and Pakistan for Israel's geopolitical objectives. Given the strategic advantages that a successful co-optation of the Baloch cause would grant Israel, and the potential ramifications it would bear upon the resistance of stateless peoples within the region, including Palestinians as well as the Baloch, themselves, there is a need to examine the limitations of geopolitical thinking within national liberation movements. MEMRI's announcement of the BSP is riddled with logical inconsistencies and misinformation regarding the reality of exploitation and resistance in Balochistan. For example, centring the fact that the states of both Iran and Pakistan are currently fighting counterinsurgency campaigns in Balochistan, MEMRI's website calls for 'the international community' to 'understand that Balochistan is a natural ally of the West' – ignoring the fact that Western companies such as Barrick Gold and BHP Billiton have played key roles in enabling colonial resource extraction and ecological destruction in the region. Another example relates to the personnel involved in the project. One article on the BSP on MEMRI's website welcomes a 'renowned Baloch writer, scholar, and political scientist' called Mir Yar Baloch, whose X account 'has been defined as one of the most influential in the Subcontinent', as a 'special adviser'. In May of this year, Baloch made headlines for unilaterally declaring the independence of Balochistan in a series of posts on X, where he also announced to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that India had 'the backing of 60 million Baloch patriots' after it launched Operation Sindoor against Pakistan. More than for his grand proclamations, Mir Yar Baloch is interesting for the amount of mystery that surrounds him, given his supposed status as an important and influential Baloch intellectual. Despite being profiled by a variety of news outlets – notably all Indian – none have deviated from regurgitating a biography for him as limited as that published in the MEMRI article. Significantly, however, more well-known Baloch activists have been quick to distance themselves from him. Niaz Baloch of the Baloch National Movement, for example, posted on X that there exists no consensus for a declaration of independence among Baloch leaders. Crucially, he also listed four 'fake accounts', including that of Mir Yar Baloch, that he stated 'should be reported and unfollowed immediately'. Baloch activists therefore speculate that Mir Yar Baloch is a fake persona created by a state with interests in the region to support its objectives. Balochistan is a region that spans the border between Iran and Pakistan, where both states are engaged in counterinsurgency campaigns that often spur tensions between them. Each has accused the other of fostering instability by sheltering militant groups across the frontier. Crucially, many Baloch people on both sides of the Iran-Pakistan border view themselves as marginalised and systematically oppressed by the states that govern them. In this context, an Israeli overture towards supporting the Baloch cause opens the door to new avenues of entrenching Israeli influence in the wider West Asia region. Beyond Israel's infiltration of the Iranian state and security apparatus, demonstrated to devastating effect by the events of June 13, declaring overt support for the Baloch cause allows Israel to build relationships with secessionist groups in regions where Iranian and Pakistani political legitimacy is limited. Taking into account Israel's objective of containing and crushing Palestinian resistance, support for such groups also creates conditions that enable Israel to actively undermine efforts at transnational solidarity-building between Palestinians and other stateless populations, such as the Baloch. Any Israeli gesture towards Balochistan would also be scaffolded by Israel's strategic partnership with India, which has long positioned itself as a key supporter of the Baloch cause – a position that has notably undermined attempts at solidarity-building between the Baloch and stateless peoples forced to live under Indian rule, such as Kashmiris. In a substantive sense, it is notable that Mir Yar Baloch, who has tweeted in support of Israel and India, owes his public profile almost entirely to the Indian media. Furthermore, his messaging is overwhelmingly directed at Indian audiences. The BSP thus represents a case of India and Israel's strategic partnership manifesting in a projection of both Israeli and Indian cross-regional influence. I do not deny the relevance of geopolitics in strategising and building capacity for resistance, but elevating it to top priority can be harmful. A 'my enemy's enemy is my friend' approach risks undermining principled long-term alliances. History offers a warning: The Palestine Liberation Organisation's (PLO) alliance with Saddam Hussein's Iraq, a relationship described by Sadiq al-Azm as 'unprincipled', alienated Kurds and indirectly facilitated the development of relatively warm relations between Israel and the Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq. More recently, Iran's crackdown on Kurdish – and to a lesser extent Baloch – groups following its war with Israel cited fears of their possible collaboration with Israel as a pretext. A post-geopolitical approach to foreign policy formulation among stateless groups, therefore, would necessarily take into account the factory defect of nation-states: their necessary prioritisation of survival and the maintenance of a constellation of privileges and interests over a substantive struggle towards justice. In this context, a principled anticolonial inter- and transnationalism that looks beyond geopolitics does not represent a utopian ideal detached from the practicalities of struggle. Instead, it represents a form of long-term pragmatism in and of itself that pushes against the short-termist gains of privileging geopolitics above principles. The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera's editorial stance.
Memri
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Memri
Egyptian-American Analyst Magdi Khalil: Israel's War With Iran Was Justified; I Am Honored To Be On MEMRI's Board Of Advisors – MEMRI Does Great Work, Its Translations Reflect Mainstream Trends In The
Egyptian-American political analyst Magdi Khalil, on a June 21, 2025 episode of From Washington with Hafez Al Mirazi on YouTube, said that he believes Israel's war against Iran is a "just war." He said he considers it a great honor to be a member of MEMRI – Middle East Media Research Institute's board of advisors and added that he believes MEMRI is doing "great work" with its translations. When the interviewer pushed back and noted that MEMRI was founded by Yigal Carmon, whom he claimed is a former Mossad official, Khalil responded that it is a respected American institution based in Washington, D.C. He reiterated: "It is an honor to be part of MEMRI." Khalil rejected claims that MEMRI is selective in its translations, using the worst that is said in Arabic media, taking statements out of context, and highlighting statements from minor, non-influential speakers, saying that MEMRI reflects mainstream views, which are reflected by the increasing extremist rhetoric of religious figures, though this trend is now declining in places like Saudi Arabia. He added that ultimately, it is MEMRI's mission to identify mainstream trends. Khalil emphasized that he is not an employee of MEMRI but a board member alongside distinguished American public figures and acknowledged MEMRI vice president Alberto Fernandez, who played a lead role in Alhurra TV. Click here or below to view the clip on MEMRI TV: "I Believe That This [War On Iran] Is A Just War On The Part Of Israel"; "I Am A Member Of MEMRI's Board Of Advisors Since 2006, And I See This As A Great Honor" Magdi Khalil: "I believe that this is a just war on the part of Israel... By the way, I have never visited Israel, never worked for a Jewish organization, and never had a Jewish boss, so..." Interviewer: "But let me clarify something. Wasn't MEMRI founded by Yigal Carmon, who used to work in the Mossad? You work for MEMRI, or used to work for it." Khalil: "I haven't worked for MEMRI even for a single day. I am a member of MEMRI's board of advisors since 2006, and I see this as a great honor. I believe that MEMRI is doing great work with its translations." Interviewer: "So it is registered as..." Khalil: "It is an American organization." Interviewer: "But it was founded by Yigal Carmon who had been in the Israeli Mossad." Khalil: "You are talking about an established American organization... WINEP, for example, belongs to AIPAC, and still, all the Egyptian officials rush to deliver addresses there." Interviewer: "Yes, sure." Khalil: "So this argument is meaningless." Interviewer: "Right." Khalil: "It is a respected American institution in Washington DC, and they invited me to be on their board of advisors, and it has been my honor since 2006 and to this day. It is an honor to be part of MEMRI." MEMRI Translates Officials, Media Personalities, Sheikhs, Religious Scholars, And Activists – Its Task Is To Identify Where The Mainstream Is Heading Interviewer: "I'm just saying that people criticize MEMRI of being selective. It was established in order to translate for American decision-makers, members of Congress, and the media, the worst things that are written and said in the Arab media. Even an imam at a small mosque in some village is shown as if he represents the genera discourse. Many times it is taken out of context." Khalil: "Not true. This is not true. If you look at MEMRI's translations, you see that they follow the mainstream, and that mainstream is the sheikhs' extremist rhetoric, which kept increasing. Now it is declining in Saudi Arabia and other places. "They translate officials, media personalities, sheikhs, religious scholars, activists... They make translations. Ultimately, their task is to identify where the mainstream is heading. So I disagree with what you said." MEMRI's Board Of Advisors Includes Distinguished Figures Like Elliott Abrams And Former CENTCOM Commander Kenneth McKenzie Jr.; Its Vice President Is Ambassador Alberto Fernandez; I Am Honored To Be Among Them Interviewer: "It is important to clarify that you are not employed there." Khalil: "Of course." Interviewer: "You prefer not to reveal the organization you do work for, for security reasons." Khalil: "Right. I do not reveal who I work for, but it is not MEMRI. I am there alongside people like Elliott Abrams... If you looked at the board of advisors, you would see former American cabinet members, public figures, [former] CENTCOM commander Kenneth [McKenzie Jr.] has joined MEMRI. They are all very distinguished figures in the United States, and I am honored to be one of them." Interviewer: "Also, [MEMRI] Vice President was in charge of Alhurra TV for a long time." Khalil: "Yes, MEMRI Vice President Alberto Fernandez." Interviewer: "Right. He appointed Ibrahim Eissa, for example, to his show on Alhurra TV."
Memri
20-06-2025
- Business
- Memri
The Qatar Weekly Update (QWU) – Part Of The Qatar Monitor Project (QMP) – No. 24, June 20, 2025
Evacuated CENTCOM Al-Udeid Airbase, Qatar, June 17, 2025 (Source: Newsweek) 1. MEMRI Special Dispatch No. 12027, Qatar Supports Iran, Gloats Over Destruction In Israel: The Scenes Of Devastation In The Entity Destined For Extinction Warm The Heart, June 18, 2025. 2. Satellite Imagery Shows Evacuation at Largest U.S. Air Base in Middle East [i.e. CENTCOM in Qatar], Newsweek, June 19, 2025. Hamad bin Jassim, who was at the time Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, told Al-Jazeera that the U.S. cannot use the CENTCOM base to attack Iran. MEMRI TV Clip No. 11192, In 2012 Qatari Prime Minister And Foreign Minister Hamad Bin Jassim: The Americans Know We Will Not Accept Any Hostile Action Against Iran From Qatar, April 1, 2012. MEMRI TV Clip No. 11491, Qatari Prime Minister And FM Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Bin Jassim Al Thani: 'Qatar Does Not Accept The Launching Of Any Attacks Or Wars From The Al-Udeid Air Base Against Countries In The Region And Beyond, October 15, 2024. According to Iranian media in April 2024, Qatar declared that the U.S. cannot use the CENTCOM base for missions against Iran. Iran International, June 21, 2024. See also MEMRI Daily Brief No. 654, One Move That Will Bolster America's Standing In The World: Relocate The CENTCOM Base Out Of Qatar – Part I, September 23, 2024. 3. According to the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), Qatar paid Lumen8 Advisors LLC the following: "$180,000 USD ('Retainer'), payable on the first day of each month, starting (electronic or otherwise) and shall be limited to a cap of 10% of the monthly Retainer." November 1, 2023. Lumen8 Advisors LLC noted that it had performed the following services for Qatar, among others: "Contact Tucker Carlson, The Tucker Carlson Show. Purpose: Interview with Prime Minister of Qatar regarding 'war with Iran? The Prime Minister of Qatar is Being Attacked in the Media for wanting to stop it.'" April 30, 2025. MEMRI Daily Brief No. 737, Tucker Carlson Whitewashes America's Enemies – Part I: Qatar . See Yigal Carmon's article on Tucker Carlon's interview of Qatar's Prime Minister, March 12, 2025. See also Conservative Media Targeted by Qatari Foreign Influence Operations, Washington Examiner, May 17, 2025. 4. Qatari Baha'i facing unjust trial in Doha needs international support to secure his release. Bahai International Community, June 17, 2025 * Yigal Carmon is Founder and President of MEMRI.
Memri
11-04-2025
- Business
- Memri
The Qatar Weekly Update (QWU) – Part Of The Qatar Monitor Project (QMP) – No. 14, April 11, 2025
Michael Pregent, former U.S. intelligence officer and expert on Qatar By Yigal Carmon* 1. NATO Flagship Partnership Event Underway In Qatar, NATO Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, April 8, 2025. 2. Former U.S. Intelligence Officer: "Qatar Told Hamas To Keep Israeli Hostages," Haaretz, April 10, 2025. 3. How a Lawsuit From Oct. 7 Victims, Including Bibas Family Uncle, Could Cripple Al-Jazeera, Washington Free Beacon, April 9, 2025. MEMRI Inquiry & Analysis No. 1751, Al-Jazeera Arabic: The Qatari-Owned TV Channel That Promotes Islamist Terrorism Worldwide, May 6, 2024. 4. MEMRI Special Dispatch NO. 11920, UAE Political Analyst: The Qatar-Supported International Union Of Muslim Scholars (IUMS) Should Be Designated A Terrorist Organization – Are The U.S. And Europe Waiting For More Terrorist Attacks Like 9/11?, April 9, 2025. Israel Furious At Qatar Over Fatwa Calling For Jihad, i24 News, April 9, 2025. 5. U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) Imposes Penalty Against Pratt & Whitney Component Solutions (PWCS) To Resolve 13 Alleged Violations Of The Antiboycott Regulations: Specifically, between May 2019 and March 2020, on 13 occasions, PWCS received a request from Qatar Airways, a customer in Qatar, to refrain from importing Israeli-origin goods into Qatar in fulfillment of purchase orders from Qatar Airways. PWCS failed to report to BIS the receipt of these requests, as required by Section 760.5 of the Regulations. September 7, 2023. 6. Boeing in Qatar: Boeing Commercial Airplanes; Boeing Defense, Space & Security; Industrial and Academic Partnerships, accessed April 10, 2025. Boeing job listings in Qatar, accessed April 10, 2025. * Yigal Carmon is Founder and President of MEMRI.
