From January through November of 2015, MEMRI published over 300 print media translations, over 70 analysis papers, and more than 450 translated TV clips, which have been viewed more than 15 million times. To carry out this extensive research and production, MEMRI has relied solely on the generosity of our donors.
As critical events unfold in the Middle East, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran - and in the West, with the most recent horrific attacks in Paris - we continue to work around the clock, seven days a week, 365 days a year, monitoring, translating, and analyzing primary source material from these regions. But "Bridging the Language Gap" and maintaining MEMRI's numerous websites is an increasingly costly undertaking.
As we constantly monitor developing issues, our research is more critical and vital than ever:
· ISIS's ongoing recruitment, outreach, expansion, and attacks across the Middle East - and in the West, including its use of social and online media; the resurgence of Al-Qaeda; and the increasing homegrown terror threat - including lone-wolf attacks.
· Russia's military involvement in Syria, coordinated with Iran, which seeks to regain its global status, is bolstering the Assad regime despite the efforts of the Western anti-ISIS coalition.
· Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei blocking implementation of Iran's obligations under the JCPOA; Iran's continued expressions, at the highest levels of government, of hostility towards the U.S. and its uninterrupted pursuit of its missile program.
· Antisemitic, anti-U.S., and anti-West sentiment, all on the rise across the region.
· The "Knife Intifada" and Palestinian incitement on social media and at mosques and rallies that fuels it.
· Ongoing hacking efforts by jihadis in order to sabotage crucial systems, release officials' personal information, and exploit encrypted communications.
· Egypt's ongoing counterterror efforts in the Sinai against ISIS affiliates, particularly following the apparent bombing of the Russian passenger plane.
· Rising sectarian violence, particularly anti-Shi'ism, across South Asia as the U.S. pledges to keep troops there; the Taliban's resurgence after it became known that its leader Mullah Omar died two years ago; and developments in Turkey as President Erdogan and his AKP retain control.
Your continued generous support enables MEMRI to assist the U.S. and other Western governments and militaries in the day-to-day fight against extremism - including monitoring terrorists, supporting reformists, and documenting antisemitism and other forms of hatred in Arab and Iranian media. Our work benefits troops abroad and policymakers at home, and is all the more essential in light of the ongoing grave shortage of translators. In addition, we continue to improve our apps for iPhone and Android that permit mobile access to MEMRI content, including videos, Special Dispatches, and Inquiry and Analysis reports.
YOUR DONATION TODAY WILL BE TAX DEDUCTIBLE FOR 2015
As 2015 ends, please help us meet our budgetary commitments for the year. We are extremely grateful for your past support, and your renewed donation is critically important to us. Please consider increasing your level of support this year so that we may further expand our production to keep pace with world events. Donations received prior to December 31 are tax deductible for 2015.
THE FOLLOWING PROJECTS STILL NEED FUNDING THIS YEAR
· MEMRI TV Project - Monitors and translates nearly 100 Arab and Iranian channels around the clock, serving as a major resource for government, academia, legislatures, and the media by providing them with a much deeper understanding of complex situations than they can obtain from other sources.
· Iran Studies Project - Now focused on the JCPOA and its implementation, or lack thereof, by Iran; Iran's growing presence in Syria; its continued pursuit of its missile program; and vital issues within the country that impact the region and the entire world.
· Jihad & Terrorism Studies Project - Examines the growth and emergence of terror tactics, including cyber warfare, as well as methods, including the use of social media and encrypted communications for recruitment, indoctrination, and encouragement of lone-wolf attacks.
· The Tom Lantos Archives on Antisemitism and Holocaust Denial - Focuses on the continuous and ubiquitous expressions of antisemitism and Holocaust denial across the Arab and Muslim world, culminating in an annual event on Capitol Hill to report on the past year's antisemitic activity. Speakers at this year's event included Rep. Brad Sherman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Sen. John McCain of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Sheikh Hassen Chalghoumi, Imam of Drancy, Paris.
· Cyber Jihad Lab - Monitors, tracks, and translates cyber jihad content originating from the Middle East, Iran, South Asia, and North and West Africa.
· The Reform Project - Identifies voices of reform that question tradition and undermine the status quo throughout the region, and examines the still-reverberating impact of the Arab Spring.
· South Asia Studies Project - As President Obama announces plans to keep troops in Afghanistan, the situation in the region further deteriorates towards jihadism and sectarian hatred and violence surge.
YOUR SUPPORT ALLOWS US TO DIRECTLY SERVE ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS:
· The U.S. Armed Forces: Highest echelons of the U.S. Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force.
· The U.S. Congress: MEMRI briefs both Republican and Democratic members of Capitol Hill's most important committees, including Armed Services, Homeland Security and Government Affairs, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations.
· The White House and federal agencies such as the Departments of State, Defense, Homeland Security, and Justice, National Counterterrorism Center, Transportation Security Agency (TSA), and more.
· Law enforcement and counterterrorism authorities in all 50 states.
· Western government agencies.
· Academia - Over 500 universities, colleges, and other institutes of higher learning use MEMRI products.
· Leading media outlets, print and television - including The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, CNN.
If you already support us, you understand the value and uniqueness of our work. Help sustain MEMRI for the long term with a recurring, monthly, credit card donation. This is the best possible way for you to help MEMRI.
Please donate online here to help keep our administrative costs low, or you can mail a check to MEMRI at P.O. Box 27837; Washington, D.C. 20038-7837.
Sincerely yours,
