Middle East Forum Executive Director Gregg Roman joins Gad Saad for a wide-ranging discussion on MEF’s mission, its unique operational role in the Middle East, and the ideological battles shaping Western policy today. Roman explains why on-the-ground intelligence and direct engagement — from Syria and Lebanon to Iran — give MEF an advantage over traditional think tanks, and outlines why the current unrest in Iran may represent the most serious challenge to the Islamic Republic since 1979, while warning against a “zombie regime” outcome.

The conversation expands to regional realignments following the weakening of Iran’s proxy network, with Roman cautioning that Turkey- and Qatar-backed Sunni Islamist movements are emerging to fill the vacuum. Roman also addresses U.S.–Israel relations, arguing for an evolution toward a true strategic partnership rather than permanent dependency, and weighs in on mass immigration, ideological vetting, and Western civilizational resilience. The episode concludes with Roman previewing upcoming MEF projects, including his forthcoming book The Carthage Doctrine, a major investigation into Islamic charter schools in the United States, and MEF’s work exposing U.S. foreign aid flows to extremist-linked entities.

01:20 – What the Middle East Forum Does
Gregg Roman explains MEF’s mission, origins, and structure

03:45 – Why MEF Operates Differently
Research vs. operations vs. policy — and why the field matters

06:45 – From Campus Radicalism to Middle East Policy
Roman’s path into MEF and lessons from Concordia

10:30 – Iran’s Protest History and the Bazaar Factor
Why merchants and strikes matter more than slogans

13:15 – Why This Iranian Uprising Is Different
Currency collapse, strikes, and regime security fractures

17:45 – What Comes After the Islamic Republic
Crown prince, fragmentation risks, and organic transition

22:30 – Turkey and Qatar as the Next Islamist Axis
How a weakened Iran creates a new regional threat

27:30 – Israel’s Regional Strategy and Minority Protection
Deterrence, alliances, and protecting vulnerable communities

34:30 – Rethinking the U.S.–Israel Partnership
Aid, reciprocity, and military self-sufficiency

41:00 – Immigration, Vetting, and Western Values
Why ideology matters more than numbers alone

50:30 – MEF Projects and What Comes Next
The Carthage Doctrine, Islamic schools, Iran coverage, and closing