MIDDLE EAST ACTION TEAM
Perhaps nowhere are the threats to religious communities more visible than in the Middle East. The absence of religious freedom and government protections have led to genocide of religious minorities and massive displacement across much of the region. For any lasting peace to be secured on a regional or even local level, religious freedom is crucial. The ability to live together with those of another faith, or even those who share a different interpretation of your own is necessary. We are working to address the ideas that are driving violence and to strengthen communities to preserve pluralism where it is at risk.
Director: Jeremy Barker
Members: Miles Windsor
Associated Scholars: Salah Ali, Farahnaz Ispahani, A. J. Nolte, Charles Ramsey
MIDDLE EAST FILE PODCAST
Listen to the Middle East File podcast: an interview series hosted by RFI’s Middle East Action Team.
![Image](https://religiousfreedominstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/CopyofMEFilelogoheader1200×842px.png)
PAST EDITIONS
FEATURED MIDDLE EAST ARTICLES
![Featured image for “Challenges to Religious Freedom in Iraq and the Critical Need for Action”](https://religiousfreedominstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_3666.jpg)
Challenges to Religious Freedom in Iraq and the Critical Need for Action
![Featured image for ““Nobody’s Listening”: Shining a Spotlight on the Yazidi Genocide”](https://religiousfreedominstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/20231020-nobodyslistening-peggy-project.jpeg)
“Nobody’s Listening”: Shining a Spotlight on the Yazidi Genocide
![Featured image for “Misunderstanding bin Laden’s 2002 “Letter to Americans””](https://religiousfreedominstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Bin-Laden.png)
Misunderstanding bin Laden’s 2002 “Letter to Americans”
![Featured image for “The Evil Actions of Hamas”](https://religiousfreedominstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Hamas-Militants.png)
The Evil Actions of Hamas
![Featured image for “The Yom Kippur War and the Shape of Today’s Middle East”](https://religiousfreedominstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Screen-Shot-2023-10-06-at-3.49.01-PM.png)
The Yom Kippur War and the Shape of Today’s Middle East
![Featured image for “For Mideast Christians, This is Not ‘The Most Wonderful Time of the Year’”](https://religiousfreedominstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Mideast-Christan-Fears.jpg.webp)
For Mideast Christians, This is Not ‘The Most Wonderful Time of the Year’
![Featured image for “RFI’s Jeremy Barker Joins International Religious Freedom Forum 2022”](https://religiousfreedominstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/817CDC37-ABE2-4BD7-B29D-786AF0799CC7.jpeg)
RFI’s Jeremy Barker Joins International Religious Freedom Forum 2022
![Featured image for “Stop the “No Plan” Plan: Start a New Political Process”](https://religiousfreedominstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/C-Ramsey-Head-Shot-Nov-2022.jpg)
Stop the “No Plan” Plan: Start a New Political Process
SUBSCRIBE TO THE MIDDLE EAST FILE
CORNERSTONE FORUM
![Featured image for “Challenges to Religious Freedom in Iraq and the Critical Need for Action”](https://religiousfreedominstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_3666.jpg)
Challenges to Religious Freedom in Iraq and the Critical Need for Action
![Featured image for “Public Bioethics & the Failure of Expressive Individualism”](https://religiousfreedominstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/headshot.jpg)
Public Bioethics & the Failure of Expressive Individualism
![Featured image for “Religious Liberty in American Higher Education”](https://religiousfreedominstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/031623-Jennifer-Lichter-002-e1682974563353.png)
Religious Liberty in American Higher Education
![Featured image for “Scotland’s Kate Forbes and the March of Secularism”](https://religiousfreedominstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Jerry-Li-Pic01.jpg)
Scotland’s Kate Forbes and the March of Secularism
![Featured image for “70 Years of Religious Freedom in Sweden: Prospects and Challenges”](https://religiousfreedominstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Jacob-380-e1447190060158.jpg)
70 Years of Religious Freedom in Sweden: Prospects and Challenges
![Featured image for “Stop the “No Plan” Plan: Start a New Political Process”](https://religiousfreedominstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/C-Ramsey-Head-Shot-Nov-2022.jpg)
Stop the “No Plan” Plan: Start a New Political Process
PUBLICATIONS
![Featured image for “2023 RFI Impact Report”](https://religiousfreedominstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2023-Impact-Report-Cover.png)
2023 RFI Impact Report
![Featured image for “Tunisia Delegation Report”](https://religiousfreedominstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Tunisia-Report-Cover.png)
Tunisia Delegation Report
![Featured image for “RFI Security Toolkit for Religious Institutions”](https://religiousfreedominstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/RFI-Security-Toolkit-Cover-1-e1689884119329.png)
RFI Security Toolkit for Religious Institutions
![Featured image for “Country Overview: Iraq”](https://religiousfreedominstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/IraqOverviewCover-1-e1689884441293.png)
Country Overview: Iraq
![Featured image for “Engaging with Religious Inequality in Humanitarian Response: A Case Study from Iraq 2014–2019”](https://religiousfreedominstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/JB-CREID-Working-Paper-Cover-102022.pdf.png)
Engaging with Religious Inequality in Humanitarian Response: A Case Study from Iraq 2014–2019
![Featured image for “Country Overview: Algeria”](https://religiousfreedominstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Algeria-Report-Cover-1.png)
Country Overview: Algeria
RFI VIDEO
![Featured image for “RFI Launches New Film Series: “Religious Freedom Testimonials””](https://religiousfreedominstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Coach-Drew-Blog-Post-Thumbnail-1.png)
RFI Launches New Film Series: “Religious Freedom Testimonials”
![Featured image for “RFI Contributes to 2022 International Ministerial Conference in London”](https://religiousfreedominstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/s300_FoRB-logo__2_.png)
RFI Contributes to 2022 International Ministerial Conference in London
![Featured image for “MCRI Principled Truths Series | Video 9”](https://religiousfreedominstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/ScreenShot2022-06-08at9.40.28AM.jpg)
MCRI Principled Truths Series | Video 9
![Featured image for “MCRI Principled Truths Series | Video 8”](https://religiousfreedominstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/ScreenShot2022-06-02at9.02.12AM.jpg)
MCRI Principled Truths Series | Video 8
![Featured image for “MCRI Principled Truths Series | Video 7”](https://religiousfreedominstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/ScreenShot2022-04-26at1.55.22PM.jpg)
MCRI Principled Truths Series | Video 7
![Featured image for “Interview | Archbishop Angaelos: Learning From the Coptic Church’s Experience of Persecution”](https://religiousfreedominstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Screen2BShot2B2022-04-242Bat2B12.38.002BPM.jpg)