As the deadline for a nuclear deal with Iran is extended and Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei reiterates his rejection of U.S. demands; as the Islamic State expands and carries out more terror attacks; and as Arab reformists speak out against terrorism and in favor of finding common ground with the West, MEMRI continues to monitor, translate, and analyze the most important issues in the region and media reaction.
So far in 2015, MEMRI has published 164 print media translations, 37 analysis papers, and 460 MEMRI Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM) reports, as well as 282 translated TV clips totaling over 17 hours. MEMRI has accomplished this only because of the generosity of our donors.
As a valued reader of MEMRI, you are familiar with our continuing efforts to monitor more media sources in more countries, research more subjects, translate into more languages, and expand our reach. You also understand that tremendous resources are required in order to sustain these efforts.
MEMRI's unique and timely research is a critical part of the discussion about the Middle East among governments, the media, militaries, academia, and the general public. MEMRI is a resource for international law enforcement and intelligence agencies, and is the only organization worldwide constantly monitoring, translating, analyzing and making available to Western audiences content from hundreds of Arabic, Farsi, Dari, Hindi, Urdu, Pashtu, and Turkish newspapers, magazines, television shows, and websites.
At this crucial time, MEMRI research is more critical than ever. We are constantly monitoring the following issues and developments:
· Iran's nuclear pursuits and its threat to the region and beyond - Iran continues its commitment to its nuclear program, and Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei clearly sets out his country's "red lines" and urges Iranian unity for "reliance on jihad-oriented management" and support of a "resistance economy" instead of one based on trade with the West and foreign investment.
· ISIS continues its expansion, slaughter and destruction - including more massacres of Shi'ite Yazidis, throwing homosexuals off buildings, persecuting Christians, restricting women's rights, indoctrinating and providing military training to children, and destroying more antiquities despite condemnations from the Arab world, including Egypt's religious establishment; it also continues to proselytize, recruit, and plan attacks via nearly all major social media platforms.
· Threats to the West - Jihadis recruit, inspire, and direct lone-wolf attacks in the West via social media, and increasingly use encryption technology to evade detection.
· Arab and Muslim reform - Voices from the region condemn jihadi attacks, speak out against conspiracy theories, urging countries in the region to find common ground with the West in order to advance Arab interests, and promote women's rights.
· Antisemitism, anti-U.S., and anti-West incitement - Monitoring antisemitic, and anti-U.S., and anti-West content, including Holocaust denial, blood libels, and conspiracy theories, in Arab and Iranian media and in sermons in the Middle East and in Europe.
THE FOLLOWING PROJECTS NEED FUNDING THIS YEAR
· MEMRI TV - Monitoring and translating nearly 100 Arab and Iranian channels around the clock. This project is a major resource for researchers from government, academia, legislatures, and media, providing a much deeper understanding of complex situations than can be obtained from other sources. MEMRI TV clips have had over 100 million views to date.
· The Tom Lantos Archives on Antisemitism and Holocaust Denial - The Archives focus on antisemitism and Holocaust denial across the Arab and Muslim world; the project also hosts a major Capitol Hill event marking the release of its annual report. This year's speakers included Sen. John McCain, Imam of Drancy Hassen Chalghoumi, and Charlie Hebdo contributor Caroline Fourset.
· Iran Studies Project - Monitoring Iranian statements on the ongoing nuclear negotiations, Iran's growing regional status, power struggles between its ideological and pragmatic camps; and more.
· Jihad & Terrorism Studies - Examining the growth and emergence of jihadi tactics, including cyber warfare, and methods, as well as the use of all major social media platforms for recruiting, indoctrination, and encouraging lone-wolf attacks.
· Cyber Jihad Lab - Researching and translating cyber jihad content originating in the Middle East, Iran, South Asia, and Africa.
· Reform Project - Monitoring the still-reverberating impact of the Arab Spring, the Reform Project identifies and amplifies brave voices of reform in the region.
· South Asia Studies Project - As the situation in South Asia devolves towards jihadism and U.S. troops prepare to exit Afghanistan, U.S. strategic interests are continually challenged.
· Turkish Studies Project - Monitoring the increasing Islamism, antisemitism, and dictatorship under Turkey's President Erdogan, and their implications for Turkish-Western relations.
NOW IS THE TIME TO SUPPORT MEMRI
Because of your generosity, MEMRI continues to assist the U.S. and other Western countries in the day-to-day fight against extremism, benefitting troops in the battlefield and policymakers at home.
Your support for MEMRI allows us, on a daily basis, to assist:
· U.S. Armed Forces: The highest echelons of the U.S. Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force.
· U.S. Congress: MEMRI briefs both sides of the political aisle in Congress, including Majority and Minority staff of numerous influential committees in the Senate and House of Representatives.
· Federal agencies such as the White House, the State Department, the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, the FBI, the TSA, and more.
· State and local law enforcement authorities in all 50 states.
· Western government agencies, which continue to use MEMRI research on a daily basis.
· Academia - over 500 universities, colleges, and other institutes of higher education worldwide.
· Top print and television media outlets - including The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, CNN, and others - who request our reports.
To meet the increasing demand for information about the Arab and Muslim world and the growing reach of Islamic terrorism, MEMRI NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT. Please make your tax-deductible donation today.
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In gratitude for your consideration,
Yours,
