RSS
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.
RSS
Israel to Issue 54,000 Call-Up Notices to Ultra-Orthodox Students
Haredi Jewish men look at the scene of an explosion at a bus stop in Jerusalem, Israel, on Nov. 23, 2022. Photo: Reuters/Ammar Awad
Israel’s military said it would issue 54,000 call-up notices to ultra-Orthodox Jewish seminary students following a Supreme Court ruling mandating their conscription and amid growing pressure from reservists stretched by extended deployments.
The Supreme Court ruling last year overturned a decades-old exemption for ultra-Orthodox students, a policy established when the community comprised a far smaller segment of the population than the 13 percent it represents today.
Military service is compulsory for most Israeli Jews from the age of 18, lasting 24-32 months, with additional reserve duty in subsequent years. Members of Israel’s 21 percent Arab population are mostly exempt, though some do serve.
A statement by the military spokesperson confirmed the orders on Sunday just as local media reported legislative efforts by two ultra-Orthodox parties in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition to craft a compromise.
The exemption issue has grown more contentious as Israel’s armed forces in recent years have faced strains from simultaneous engagements with Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Houthis in Yemen, and Iran.
Ultra-Orthodox leaders in Netanyahu’s brittle coalition have voiced concerns that integrating seminary students into military units alongside secular Israelis, including women, could jeopardize their religious identity.
The military statement promised to ensure conditions that respect the ultra-Orthodox way of life and to develop additional programs to support their integration into the military. It said the notices would go out this month.
The post Israel to Issue 54,000 Call-Up Notices to Ultra-Orthodox Students first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
RSS
Influential Far-Right Minister Lashes out at Netanyahu Over Gaza War Policy
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich attends an inauguration event for Israel’s new light rail line for the Tel Aviv metropolitan area, in Petah Tikva, Israel, Aug. 17, 2023. Photo: REUTERS/Amir Cohen
Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich sharply criticized on Sunday a cabinet decision to allow some aid into Gaza as a “grave mistake” that he said would benefit the terrorist group Hamas.
Smotrich also accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of failing to ensure that Israel’s military is following government directives in prosecuting the war against Hamas in Gaza. He said he was considering his “next steps” but stopped short of explicitly threatening to quit the coalition.
Smotrich’s comments come a day before Netanyahu is due to hold talks in Washington with President Donald Trump on a US-backed proposal for a 60-day Gaza ceasefire.
“… the cabinet and the Prime Minister made a grave mistake yesterday in approving the entry of aid through a route that also benefits Hamas,” Smotrich said on X, arguing that the aid would ultimately reach the Islamist group and serve as “logistical support for the enemy during wartime”.
The Israeli government has not announced any changes to its aid policy in Gaza. Israeli media reported that the government had voted to allow additional aid to enter northern Gaza.
The prime minister’s office did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. The military declined to comment.
Israel accuses Hamas of stealing aid for its own fighters or to sell to finance its operations, an accusation Hamas denies. Gaza is in the grip of a humanitarian catastrophe, with conditions threatening to push nearly a half a million people into famine within months, according to U.N. estimates.
Israel in May partially lifted a nearly three-month blockade on aid. Two Israeli officials said on June 27 the government had temporarily stopped aid from entering north Gaza.
PRESSURE
Public pressure in Israel is mounting on Netanyahu to secure a permanent ceasefire, a move opposed by some hardline members of his right-wing coalition. An Israeli team left for Qatar on Sunday for talks on a possible Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal.
Smotrich, who in January threatened to withdraw his Religious Zionism party from the government if Israel agreed to a complete end to the war before having achieved its objectives, did not mention the ceasefire in his criticism of Netanyahu.
The right-wing coalition holds a slim parliamentary majority, although some opposition lawmakers have offered to support the government from collapsing if a ceasefire is agreed.
The post Influential Far-Right Minister Lashes out at Netanyahu Over Gaza War Policy first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
RSS
Australia Police Charge Man Over Alleged Arson on Melbourne Synagogue
Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese speaks to the media during a press conference with New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at the Australian Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, Aug. 16, 2024. Photo: REUTERS/Tracey Nearmy
Australian police have charged a man in connection with an alleged arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue with worshippers in the building, the latest in a series of incidents targeting the nation’s Jewish community.
There were no injuries to the 20 people inside the East Melbourne Synagogue, who fled from the fire on Friday night. Firefighters extinguished the blaze in the capital of Victoria state.
Australia has experienced several antisemitic incidents since the start of the Israel-Gaza war in October 2023.
Counter-terrorism detectives late on Saturday arrested the 34-year-old resident of Sydney, capital of neighboring New South Wales, charging him with offenses including criminal damage by fire, police said.
“The man allegedly poured a flammable liquid on the front door of the building and set it on fire before fleeing the scene,” police said in a statement.
The suspect, whom the authorities declined to identify, was remanded in custody after his case was heard at Melbourne Magistrates Court on Sunday and no application was made for bail, the Australian Broadcasting Corp reported.
Authorities are investigating whether the synagogue fire was linked to a disturbance on Friday night at an Israeli restaurant in Melbourne, in which one person was arrested for hindering police.
The restaurant was extensively damaged, according to the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, an umbrella group for Australia’s Jews.
It said the fire at the synagogue, one of Melbourne’s oldest, was set as those inside sat down to Sabbath dinner.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog went on X to “condemn outright the vile arson attack targeting Jews in Melbourne’s historic and oldest synagogue on the Sabbath, and on an Israeli restaurant where people had come to enjoy a meal together”.
“This is not the first such attack in Australia in recent months. But it must be the last,” Herzog said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the incidents as “severe hate crimes” that he viewed “with utmost gravity.” “The State of Israel will continue to stand alongside the Australian Jewish community,” Netanyahu said on X.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese late on Saturday described the alleged arson, which comes seven months after another synagogue in Melbourne was targeted by arsonists, as shocking and said those responsible should face the law’s full force.
“My Government will provide all necessary support toward this effort,” Albanese posted on X.
Homes, schools, synagogues and vehicles in Australia have been targeted by antisemitic vandalism and arson. The incidents included a fake plan by organized crime to attack a Sydney synagogue using a caravan of explosives in order to divert police resources, police said in March.
The post Australia Police Charge Man Over Alleged Arson on Melbourne Synagogue first appeared on Algemeiner.com.