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The Subtle War: Radical Ideologies in US Universities
A student protester parades a Palestinian flag outside the entrance to Hamilton Hall on the campus of Columbia University, in New York, U.S., April 30, 2024. Photo: Mary Altaffer/Pool via REUTERS
In the complex landscape of US higher education, a critical issue that often goes unexamined is the influence of radical ideologies on the academic and social environments. American students and some faculty advocates display a concerning naivety towards the ideologies they endorse, frequently lacking a comprehensive understanding of radical Islamic terrorism, fanaticism, Khomeinism, Shiite terrorism, the Muslim Brotherhood, and the extensive networks of transnational terrorism. This lack of awareness fosters an environment ripe for the spread of these harmful ideologies, which have been deeply rooted in American universities for decades.
The roots of this ideological infiltration trace back to the 1960s and 1970s, when Marxist-Leninist and Islamic leftists mounted significant protests against the Shah of Iran, then America’s steadfast ally in the Middle East, among others. These events marked a critical and consequential shift in international relations and Iran’s internal policies, notably when President Jimmy Carter initially praised Khomeini.
The tumultuous events of 1979 transformed Iran from a nation celebrated for its 7,000-year-old civilization into one subjected to religious and political Islamic tyranny. This shift endangered not only Iran’s cultural heritage and populace, but also destabilized the Middle East and escalated threats to global security. A severe miscalculation in Washington was the assumption that radical Islam could serve as a strategic countermeasure against the Soviet Union — a naive belief that overlooked the existing collaborations between various Islamic terrorist groups and Soviet interests, including those led by figures like Yasser Arafat.
This underestimation allowed radical ideologies, especially Khomeinism, empowered by Western miscalculations, to proliferate globally. Ironically, the Khomeini regime began its international engagement with an act of aggression — hostage-taking — which sharply contradicted the supportive expectations of figures like Carter.
Within the United States, several academics and students actively propagated these ideologies, sowing seeds of discord and demonstrating a profound ignorance of the destructive nature of the doctrines they espoused.
Over the past four and a half decades, the repercussions of these ideologies have been severe. Wars, chaos, and political instability have increased, supplanting what were once opportunities for peace and cooperation. Educational institutions, which should be bastions of learning and enlightenment, have at times devolved into platforms for promoting and defending reactionary and destructive ideologies. This has not only compromised the academic integrity of these institutions but also endangered the future of many young Americans, who remain largely unaware of the true nature of the forces shaping their perceptions.
Today, the regime of Iran’s dictator, Ayatollah Khamenei, continues to exploit these ideological vulnerabilities. His regime’s brutality and suppression of dissent find a perverse reflection in the turmoil apparent in American universities. The recent protests in Iran, resulting in the deaths of 700 individuals and the severe injury or imprisonment of hundreds more, starkly demonstrate the regime’s ruthless tactics. Alarmingly, these actions resonate with certain American student groups that unwittingly champion the causes of such a tyrannical regime.
This phenomenon raises pressing questions: Do these students truly understand the forces they support? Are they aware of the consequences of their actions? The support for entities like Hamas and the display of Hezbollah flags not only contravenes US policy, which categorically rejects terrorism, but also threatens the very principles of American democracy.
The infiltration of radical ideology into US and European educational and cultural institutions is not just widespread, but deeply ingrained. These entities are active not only in universities but also permeate the media, lobbying groups, research centers, think tanks, and even religious institutions. This deep-seated engagement poses a severe risk to the democratic fabric of American society, a risk that is compounded by the widespread nature of this infiltration and the subtlety with which it operates.
Moreover, the role of international media in educating the public about these dangers is often compromised, as it falls prey to the same propaganda it should be critiquing.
Furthermore, the ideological battle between Iran and the West is not confined to military or physical confrontations; it is a deeper, more pervasive war that seeks to undermine social norms, cultural heritage, and historical narratives. The youth in America, influenced by these sinister forces, are often caught up in disturbances that threaten not only their future but also the stability and security of the nation they call home.
For the youth of America, and indeed to all who value democracy and freedom, it is imperative to scrutinize the lessons history offers. Iran, once a beacon of culture and prosperity, now lies in ruins — a stark testament to the destructive power of radical ideologies. The Iranian people endure perpetual turmoil, with their resources squandered on sustaining terrorist activities that bring them nothing but suffering and despair.
Reflecting on these developments, it is clear that the challenges we face are not just about combating overt acts of terrorism, but involve recognizing and countering the subtle, pervasive spread of an ideology that seeks to destroy from within. It is about standing firm against propaganda, recognizing the true nature of our enemies, and ensuring that the values of liberty and democracy are upheld. The struggle is daunting but essential for the preservation of our way of life and the protection of future generations.
In this critical moment, let us recall the wisdom of our Founding Fathers and strive to protect the principles they established. Observing the misuse of these freedoms to promote terrorism and radical ideologies, particularly in educational institutions like Princeton where Hezbollah flags have been seen, is deeply troubling. These actions betray the principles upon which our nation was founded and on which it must continue to stand.
Erfan Fard is a counterterrorism analyst and Middle East Studies researcher based in Washington, DC. Twitter@EQFARD.
The post The Subtle War: Radical Ideologies in US Universities first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
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Hamas Says No Interim Hostage Deal Possible Without Work Toward Permanent Ceasefire
Explosions send smoke into the air in Gaza, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, July 17, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Amir Cohen
The spokesperson for Hamas’s armed wing said on Friday that while the Palestinian terrorist group favors reaching an interim truce in the Gaza war, if such an agreement is not reached in current negotiations it could revert to insisting on a full package deal to end the conflict.
Hamas has previously offered to release all the hostages held in Gaza and conclude a permanent ceasefire agreement, and Israel has refused, Abu Ubaida added in a televised speech.
Arab mediators Qatar and Egypt, backed by the United States, have hosted more than 10 days of talks on a US-backed proposal for a 60-day truce in the war.
Israeli officials were not immediately available for comment on the eve of the Jewish Sabbath.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement on a call he had with Pope Leo on Friday that Israel‘s efforts to secure a hostage release deal and 60-day ceasefire “have so far not been reciprocated by Hamas.”
As part of the potential deal, 10 hostages held in Gaza would be returned along with the bodies of 18 others, spread out over 60 days. In exchange, Israel would release a number of detained Palestinians.
“If the enemy remains obstinate and evades this round as it has done every time before, we cannot guarantee a return to partial deals or the proposal of the 10 captives,” said Abu Ubaida.
Disputes remain over maps of Israeli army withdrawals, aid delivery mechanisms into Gaza, and guarantees that any eventual truce would lead to ending the war, said two Hamas officials who spoke to Reuters on Friday.
The officials said the talks have not reached a breakthrough on the issues under discussion.
Hamas says any agreement must lead to ending the war, while Netanyahu says the war will only end once Hamas is disarmed and its leaders expelled from Gaza.
Almost 1,650 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed as a result of the conflict, including 1,200 killed in the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on southern Israel, according to Israeli tallies. Over 250 hostages were kidnapped during Hamas’s Oct. 7 onslaught.
Israel responded with an ongoing military campaign aimed at freeing the hostages and dismantling Hamas’s military and governing capabilities in neighboring Gaza.
The post Hamas Says No Interim Hostage Deal Possible Without Work Toward Permanent Ceasefire first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
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Iran Marks 31st Anniversary of AMIA Bombing by Slamming Argentina’s ‘Baseless’ Accusations, Blaming Israel
People hold images of the victims of the 1994 bombing attack on the Argentine Israeli Mutual Association (AMIA) community center, marking the 30th anniversary of the attack, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, July 18, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Irina Dambrauskas
Iran on Friday marked the 31st anniversary of the 1994 bombing of the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association (AMIA) Jewish community center in Buenos Aires by slamming Argentina for what it called “baseless” accusations over Tehran’s alleged role in the terrorist attack and accusing Israel of politicizing the atrocity to influence the investigation and judicial process.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on the anniversary of Argentina’s deadliest terrorist attack, which killed 85 people and wounded more than 300.
“While completely rejecting the accusations against Iranian citizens, the Islamic Republic of Iran condemns attempts by certain Argentine factions to pressure the judiciary into issuing baseless charges and politically motivated rulings,” the statement read.
“Reaffirming that the charges against its citizens are unfounded, the Islamic Republic of Iran insists on restoring their reputation and calls for an end to this staged legal proceeding,” it continued.
Last month, a federal judge in Argentina ordered the trial in absentia of 10 Iranian and Lebanese nationals suspected of orchestrating the attack in Buenos Aires.
The ten suspects set to stand trial include former Iranian and Lebanese ministers and diplomats, all of whom are subject to international arrest warrants issued by Argentina for their alleged roles in the terrorist attack.
In its statement on Friday, Iran also accused Israel of influencing the investigation to advance a political campaign against the Islamist regime in Tehran, claiming the case has been used to serve Israeli interests and hinder efforts to uncover the truth.
“From the outset, elements and entities linked to the Zionist regime [Israel] exploited this suspicious explosion, pushing the investigation down a false and misleading path, among whose consequences was to disrupt the long‑standing relations between the people of Iran and Argentina,” the Iranian Foreign Ministry said.
“Clear, undeniable evidence now shows the Zionist regime and its affiliates exerting influence on the Argentine judiciary to frame Iranian nationals,” the statement continued.
In April, lead prosecutor Sebastián Basso — who took over the case after the 2015 murder of his predecessor, Alberto Nisman — requested that federal Judge Daniel Rafecas issue national and international arrest warrants for Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei over his alleged involvement in the attack.
Since 2006, Argentine authorities have sought the arrest of eight Iranians — including former president Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, who died in 2017 — yet more than three decades after the deadly bombing, all suspects remain still at large.
In a post on X, the Delegation of Argentine Israelite Associations (DAIA), the country’s Jewish umbrella organization, released a statement commemorating the 31st anniversary of the bombing.
“It was a brutal attack on Argentina, its democracy, and its rule of law,” the group said. “At DAIA, we continue to demand truth and justice — because impunity is painful, and memory is a commitment to both the present and the future.”
31 años del atentado a la AMIA – DAIA. 31 años sin justicia.
El 18 de julio de 1994, un atentado terrorista dejó 85 personas muertas y más de 300 heridas. Fue un ataque brutal contra la Argentina, su democracia y su Estado de derecho.
Desde la DAIA, seguimos exigiendo verdad y… pic.twitter.com/kV2ReGNTIk
— DAIA (@DAIAArgentina) July 18, 2025
Despite Argentina’s longstanding belief that Lebanon’s Shiite Hezbollah terrorist group carried out the devastating attack at Iran’s request, the 1994 bombing has never been claimed or officially solved.
Meanwhile, Tehran has consistently denied any involvement and refused to arrest or extradite any suspects.
To this day, the decades-long investigation into the terrorist attack has been plagued by allegations of witness tampering, evidence manipulation, cover-ups, and annulled trials.
In 2006, former prosecutor Nisman formally charged Iran for orchestrating the attack and Hezbollah for carrying it out.
Nine years later, he accused former Argentine President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner — currently under house arrest on corruption charges — of attempting to cover up the crime and block efforts to extradite the suspects behind the AMIA atrocity in return for Iranian oil.
Nisman was killed later that year, and to this day, both his case and murder remain unresolved and under ongoing investigation.
The alleged cover-up was reportedly formalized through the memorandum of understanding signed in 2013 between Kirchner’s government and Iranian authorities, with the stated goal of cooperating to investigate the AMIA bombing.
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Jordan Reveals Muslim Brotherhood Operating Vast Illegal Funding Network Tied to Gaza Donations, Political Campaigns
Murad Adailah, the head of Jordan’s Muslim Brotherhood, attends an interview with Reuters in Amman, Jordan, Sept. 7, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Jehad Shelbak
The Muslim Brotherhood, one of the Arab world’s oldest and most influential Islamist movements, has been implicated in a wide-ranging network of illegal financial activities in Jordan and abroad, according to a new investigative report.
Investigations conducted by Jordanian authorities — along with evidence gathered from seized materials — revealed that the Muslim Brotherhood raised tens of millions of Jordanian dinars through various illegal activities, the Jordan news agency (Petra) reported this week.
With operations intensifying over the past eight years, the report showed that the group’s complex financial network was funded through various sources, including illegal donations, profits from investments in Jordan and abroad, and monthly fees paid by members inside and outside the country.
The report also indicated that the Muslim Brotherhood has taken advantage of the war in Gaza to raise donations illegally.
Out of all donations meant for Gaza, the group provided no information on where the funds came from, how much was collected, or how they were distributed, and failed to work with any international or relief organizations to manage the transfers properly.
Rather, the investigations revealed that the Islamist network used illicit financial mechanisms to transfer funds abroad.
According to Jordanian authorities, the group gathered more than JD 30 million (around $42 million) over recent years.
With funds transferred to several Arab, regional, and foreign countries, part of the money was allegedly used to finance domestic political campaigns in 2024, as well as illegal activities and cells.
In April, Jordan outlawed the Muslim Brotherhood, the country’s most vocal opposition group, and confiscated its assets after members of the Islamist movement were found to be linked to a sabotage plot.
The movement’s political arm in Jordan, the Islamic Action Front, became the largest political grouping in parliament after elections last September, although most seats are still held by supporters of the government.
Opponents of the group, which is banned in most Arab countries, label it a terrorist organization. However, the movement claims it renounced violence decades ago and now promotes its Islamist agenda through peaceful means.
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