Latest news with #MiddleEastStudies
New York Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Harvard's bogus ‘free speech' claim — 1st Amendment doesn't make taxpayers cough up cash
Do taxpayers have a constitutional duty to bankroll Harvard University? On MSNBC, David French argued that President Trump's defunding of Harvard is little more than 'political retaliation.' In the United States, we don't sentence people before hearing the verdict, the New York Times columnist said. Ignoring due process is 'directly contrary to our constitutional principles.' Advertisement David might not be aware that in addition to the joint-government task force's claim that Harvard leadership failed to meaningfully confront pervasive insults, physical assault, and intimidation of Jewish students, there's also a blistering internal university taskforce report that maintains that Harvard allowed antisemitism to permeate 'coursework, social life, the hiring of some faculty members and the worldview of certain academic programs.' Harvard concedes, 'members of the Jewish and Israeli communities at Harvard reported treatment that was vicious and reprehensible.' Advertisement The verdict is in. But, I suppose, I'd pose the situation in another way. If a government investigation and internal review both found that white supremacists on Harvard's campus were terrorizing black students and engaging in racist marches, and that their violent beliefs had found favor in the school's curriculums and in social life, would anyone on MSNBC argue that the government had an obligation to keep funding this school until a civil lawsuit worked its way through the courts? One suspects not. Advertisement Now, I'm not accusing David French of being blind to the struggles of Jewish students. I am accusing him of being blinded by the presence of Donald Trump. Are the president's motivations political? Probably. Advertisement So what? So are those of Harvard's defenders. Harvard, a private institution, can do as it likes. There's nothing illegal about coddling extremists or pumping out credentialed pseudointellectuals. If the Trump administration failed to follow a bureaucratic process before freezing funds to the university, fine. Get it done. But what 'constitutional principle' dictates that the federal government must provide this specific institution with $3 billion in federal contracts and grants? Giving it to them was a policy decision made by the executive branch. Advertisement Withdrawing the funding is the same. French reasons that the administration should, at very least, 'target the entity and individuals responsible' for the bad behavior. Defund the Middle Eastern studies department, rather than, say, the pediatric cancer research department. I'm sympathetic to this idea. Advertisement But funding, as we all understand, is fungible. Targeting one department will do nothing to change the culture. Moreover, leadership is responsible for the culture. It allowed, nay nurtured, a Middle East Studies department staffed by a slew of nutjobs. Advertisement It's not the only department. Think about it this way: There is a far higher likelihood of finding an apologist of Islamic terrorism than a Christian conservative on the Harvard faculty. Less than 3% of the Harvard faculty identify as conservative. Advertisement There are real-world consequences for Harvard's radicalism, as their grads are staffing newsrooms, influential law firms, and government agencies without ever hearing a dissenting view. Anyway, if the school values its pediatric cancer research efforts so highly, why does it sacrifice grants and prestige by allowing bigoted bullies to run around campus targeting Jews? That's a choice. As far as I can tell, not one student was expelled, much less suspended, for antisemitism in the two years since Oct. 7, 2023. If your answer is that the school feels a profound obligation to defend free expression, I suggest you speak to some pro-Israeli or pro-capitalist or pro-American or social conservative student on campus and see how comfortable they feel about airing opinions. Harvard finished last for the second year running in the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression's 'College Free Speech Rankings' in 2024, along with Columbia University and New York University. The only speech Harvard values is the extremist variety. We should feel no patriotic imperative to fund speech we dislike, which is very different from the imperative of protecting speech we dislike. This distinction seems to be lost on many. Harvard, along with many left-wingers, argues that Trump's funding freeze violates its First Amendment rights. Who knows what the courts will say? If they force the funding to continue, something is seriously wrong. Anyway, perhaps Harvard should dip into the $53 billion hedge fund it runs to backfill some of the funding. Or maybe it can hit up the Islamic sheiks of Qatar for some more cash. How about those Chicom apparatchiks? Maybe they can chip in. But taxpayers shouldn't be compelled to subsidize an institution that almost exclusively teaches students to hate their values. David Harsanyi is a senior writer at the Washington Examiner.
France 24
22-05-2025
- Business
- France 24
Iran's economic struggles: Can nuclear talks with US spark a turnaround?
14:00 Issued on: Modified: From the show Crippled by international sanctions, and decades of mismanagement and corruption, the Iranian economy has gone through what's been described as a lost decade of economic growth. As the national currency plummets and purchasing power declines, ordinary Iranians are struggling to make ends meet and experience regular power outages. Could the recent nuclear talks between Teheran and Washington eventually lead to a new agreement? FRANCE 24's Charles Pellegrin speaks to Vali Nasr, Professor of International Affairs and Middle East Studies at Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies. He is also the author of 'Iran's Grand Strategy: A political history' published by Princeton University Press.
Time of India
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Protesters accuse Harvard of complicity with Trump over pro-Palestine censorship
Harvard protest links Zionism to Trump's fascism, claims university suppresses academic freedom. (AI Image) More than 100 protesters gathered at Cambridge Common on April 19, 2024, for a demonstration accusing Harvard University of suppressing pro-Palestine speech and scholarship, even as it resists certain demands from the Trump administration . The protest was organized by several unrecognized student groups, including Harvard Out of Occupied Palestine and Jews 4 Palestine, and featured speeches, chants, and a brief march through Harvard Square. The protesters argued that Harvard's actions toward pro-Palestine advocacy were hypocritical, as the university simultaneously defies the Trump administration publicly while, according to protesters, aligning with its policies through internal repression. University officials did not respond to a request for comment following the rally, according to The Harvard Crimson. Speakers link Harvard to Trump administration policies Addressing the crowd amid loud counterprotester noise, Violet T.M. Barron '26 claimed that Harvard's financial ties to Israel demonstrated alignment with what she described as fascist elements in US politics. 'Why has the ongoing presidential showdown between Donald Trump and Harvard President Alan Garber been framed as one between opposing forces?' she asked. 'Harvard's Zionism and Trump's fascism are not at odds. They are two sides of the same coin,' as reported by The Harvard Crimson. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Cost Of Amusement Park Equipment From Mexico Might Surprise You Amusement Park Equipment | search ads Click Here Undo Following an hour of speeches and chanting, demonstrators marched from Cambridge Common to Johnston Gate. Although entry to Harvard Yard was restricted to Harvard ID holders, four protesters climbed the gate and hung banners, one reading, 'Harvard: you can't be Zionist and Anti-Fascist.' Security personnel and Cambridge Police Department officers monitored the situation but did not intervene, according to The Harvard Crimson. Counterprotesters attempt to disrupt rally Throughout the demonstration, counterprotesters tried to drown out the speeches using three large speakers blasting the US national anthem and pre-recorded messages accusing the pro-Palestine activists of supporting terrorism. The sound system operator wore a black balaclava, and organizers on both sides took measures to obscure their identities. Protesters distributed face masks and keffiyehs in defiance of a Trump administration request that Harvard ban masks at demonstrations—a request the university has not accepted. The counterprotesters continued to follow the march to Johnston Gate, carrying their sound equipment on a cart. According to The Harvard Crimson, protest leader Christopher F. Malley, a Ph.D. student in Middle East Studies, criticized both Harvard and its handling of faculty dismissals, saying, 'I'm not sure who's more obnoxious, the counterprotesters, the Trump administration, or the Harvard administration.' Protesters highlight faculty dismissals and visa revocations Malley also read a statement supporting History professors Cemal Kafadar and Rosie Bsheer, who were recently dismissed from their roles at the Center for Middle Eastern Studies. Another speaker, Hannah Didehbani, an MIT graduate and organizer with the Party for Socialism and Liberation, celebrated what she called a victory for pro-Palestine organizing after the Trump administration reactivated thousands of student visas, including 12 held by Harvard affiliates. As noted by The Harvard Crimson, a New York Times analysis reported at least 1,500 student visas were previously revoked due to pro-Palestine advocacy. Final messages and conclusion of the protest The march concluded outside the Harvard Kennedy School's Taubman Hall, where protesters unfurled a banner listing the names of Palestinians killed in Gaza and chalked messages on the sidewalk. One message read, 'Harvard funds scholasticide,' criticizing the university's alleged role in suppressing academic freedom, according to The Harvard Crimson. The protest concluded without arrests or confrontations, though tensions between opposing groups remained high throughout the evening. For real-time updates, follow our AP SSC 10th Result 2025 Live Blog.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Columbia University Interim President Katrina Armstrong is stepping down, university says
Katrina Armstrong will be stepping down "effective immediately" as Columbia University's interim president, the school said on Friday. Armstrong was announced as the interim president of the New York City university in August 2024 after then-President Minouche Shafik announced her immediate resignation, following student protests over the Israel-Hamas war that roiled the campus. "Dr. Armstrong accepted the role of interim president at a time of great uncertainty for the University and worked tirelessly to promote the interests of our community," said David J. Greenwald, chair of the Board of Trustees. "Katrina has always given her heart and soul to Columbia. We appreciate her service and look forward to her continued contributions to the University," Greenwald said on Friday. The school said Armstrong would be returning to lead the university's Irving Medical Center and that Board of Trustees Co-Chair Claire Shipman has been appointed acting president. "I assume this role with a clear understanding of the serious challenges before us and a steadfast commitment to act with urgency, integrity, and work with our faculty to advance our mission, implement needed reforms, protect our students, and uphold academic freedom and open inquiry," Shipman said in a statement. The news comes a week after the university appeared to have ceded to the Trump administration's demands after a threat to withhold $400 million in federal funds. The school posted a four-page memo last week entitled, "Advancing Our Work to Combat Discrimination, Harassment, and Antisemitism at Columbia." Columbia agreed to ban masks, one of the Trump administration's key demands, saying in the memo, "Public safety has determined that face masks or face coverings are not allowed for the purpose of concealing one's identity in the commission of violations of University policies or state, municipal, or federal laws." MORE: Judge blocks removal of Palestinian activist who was detained at Columbia University The university also agreed to stricter controls over its Middle East Studies department, which will now be overseen by a new senior vice provost who "will conduct a thorough review of the portfolio of programs in regional areas across the University, starting immediately with the Middle East." Columbia's Board of Trustees issued a statement supporting the memo last weekend. "We have and continue to support Interim President Armstrong's approach, including today's presentation of the University's progress and deeply thoughtful actions. We are grateful for her principled and courageous leadership during this unprecedented time, and for the steps she has and is taking to strengthen our institution," the Board of Trustees said. Earlier this month, former Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement due to his involvement in last year's protests. Khalil was detained in the lobby of a Columbia-owned apartment building while returning to his residence with his wife, according to the habeas corpus petition challenging his arrest filed by his attorneys. Columbia University Interim President Katrina Armstrong is stepping down, university says originally appeared on
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Judge to decide if Columbia University can share student disciplinary records with Congress
A federal judge in New York will hear arguments Tuesday over whether to extend an order that prevents Columbia University from the sharing student disciplinary records of a number of pro-Palestinian activists with a House of Representatives committee. The request for an injunction was filed by a group of Columbia students and graduates, including Mahmoud Khalil, the pro-Palestinian activist detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement who is separately fighting his detention by the Trump administration. Khalil and the others said the Republican-controlled committee's request for their records violates the First Amendment and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and made Columbia "feel pressure to cooperate with the government in its efforts to chill and punish protected speech." Judge Aruba Subramanian has temporarily blocked Columbia from disclosing the student records and will hear arguments Tuesday afternoon over whether to permanently block sharing of the records or allow the school to cooperate with the committee. MORE: Columbia student sues Trump after official says her permanent legal status in the US is revoked The government arrested Khalil on March 8 after invoking a rarely used provision of immigration law that they said allows the secretary of state to revoke the legal status of people whose presence in the country could have "adverse foreign policy consequences." He continues to be held in Louisiana awaiting further court proceedings. Last week, Columbia University ceded to Trump administration demands after President Donald Trump threatened to withhold $400 million in federal funds. The school agreed to ban masks on campus, one of the Trump administration's key demands, as well as stricter controls over its Middle East Studies department, which will now be overseen by a new senior vice provost who "will conduct a thorough review of the portfolio of programs in regional areas across the University, starting immediately with the Middle East." The university also agreed to hire 36 new police officers empowered to make arrests of student protesters on campus. The Trump administration canceled $400 million worth of grants and contracts to Columbia University, accusing the university of "continued inaction in the face of persistent harassment of Jewish students." The administration sent a letter to Columbia interim President Katrina Armstrong on March 13, listing nine demands the university needed to comply with by last Thursday "as a precondition for formal negotiations" regarding federal funding. Columbia's response was closely watched by other schools that became flashpoints for pro-Palestinian protests last year. The university has come under intense scrutiny for its handling of pro-Palestinian protests, which led to arrests, property damage and backlash. Former Columbia President Minouche Shafik resigned last August, months after the protests. She was the third Ivy League president to step down within a few months. Harvard President Claudine Gay and University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill previously announced their resignations following congressional testimony on the handling of antisemitism on campus. Judge to decide if Columbia University can share student disciplinary records with Congress originally appeared on
