分类： politics

A significant upheaval is unfolding within President Donald Trump’s Religious Liberties Commission as Sameerah Munshi, the sole Muslim woman serving on its advisory board, has tendered her resignation. Middle East Eye has obtained her resignation letter, which states her departure is a direct protest against the White House’s dismissal of anti-Zionist Catholic commissioner Carrie Prejean-Boller from the panel.

The controversy stems from Prejean-Boller’s removal, which she revealed via social media platform X, attributing it to her vocal opposition to Israel’s military actions in Gaza and her anti-Zionist stance, which she insists is not antisemitic. This dismissal followed a widely circulated video from a February commission meeting featuring a heated debate where Prejean-Boller argued that Catholicism and Zionism are incompatible.

In her resignation letter, Munshi powerfully questioned the state of religious freedom, writing, ‘If we are not free in America to abide by our religious beliefs and hold fast to them despite others’ disagreement, then in what country are we free to do so?’ She further leveled serious accusations, claiming certain commission members exhibited hostility and mockery towards the Muslim faith.

The commission’s structure reveals a notable lack of Muslim representation at the commissioner level, the panel’s top tier. All three involved Muslims, including Munshi, held only advisory roles appointed by the administration. Munshi detailed a pattern of isolation that began after she testified in September 2025 about the constitutional right to protest Israel’s actions in Palestinian territories, after which she claims she was no longer provided witness lists before hearings.

The bond between Munshi and Prejean-Boller formed following that testimony, with Munshi describing her as a rare conservative who ‘really respects Muslims.’ Munshi’s resignation is also motivated by the recent U.S.-Israeli military action against Iran, which her letter condemns as ‘unlawful killing of children and civilians.’

Allegations from a Heritage Foundation member suggested Munshi provided Prejean-Boller with talking points, which Munshi firmly denied, explaining she was merely recording as requested to ensure her colleague’s comments were captured. Prejean-Boller, emotionally recounting her experience to MEE, stated she felt compelled to speak for Palestinians and described her removal as ‘un-American,’ expressing absolute disgust with the president for what she sees as a betrayal of the American people and the Constitution.

The commission now faces scrutiny from lawmakers from both parties investigating potential violations of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) concerning balance, transparency, and fair representation, compounding existing legal challenges from religious groups questioning the panel’s motives.

Nepal stands at a political crossroads following a seismic electoral shift that has fundamentally reshaped the nation’s governance landscape. The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), led by rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah, has achieved an unprecedented majority victory, overturning decades of established political dominance in a stunning display of public discontent.

The four-year-old party’s triumph represents a profound rejection of Nepal’s political establishment, symbolized by Shah’s personal victory over former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in Jhapa 5—a constituency long considered an Oli stronghold. This electoral earthquake has shattered entrenched power structures and propelled a movement built on anti-corruption sentiment and demands for systemic reform into the highest echelons of government.

Despite the jubilation among RSP supporters who expressed exhaustion with perceived corruption and political paralysis, the victory introduces significant governance uncertainties. The party now faces the formidable challenge of transitioning from a campaigning force to a governing entity while managing extraordinarily high public expectations for rapid transformation.

Key policy priorities outlined by the RSP include comprehensive anti-corruption measures, judicial reform, and economic revitalization. The party has pledged to investigate assets accumulated by political figures since the 1990s, with promises to nationalize illegally acquired properties. Judicial reforms would eliminate political appointments of judges and potentially introduce live-streamed trials to enhance transparency.

Economic challenges present particularly daunting obstacles. With youth unemployment hovering around 20% and approximately three million Nepalis working overseas, the RSP has committed to achieving 7% annual GDP growth to transform Nepal into a $100 billion economy within five to seven years. However, World Bank projections indicate growth of only 4.6% for 2025, with forecasts suggesting further slowing due to political instability, tourism declines, and natural disasters.

The Middle East conflict introduces additional economic vulnerability, as remittances from Nepali workers abroad constitute over a quarter of the nation’s GDP. Any disruption to these financial flows could create severe economic consequences.

Internally, the RSP must maintain cohesion among its diverse parliamentary representatives who lack extensive governance experience. Constitutional expert Bipin Adhikari notes that the party’s ‘very new’ politicians without ‘background in statecraft’ may struggle with unified governance implementation.

Geopolitical navigation presents another critical challenge. Wedged between India and China, Nepal must maintain balanced relationships with both regional powers while adhering to its constitutional mandate against security partnerships. The United States’ watchful presence adds another layer of diplomatic complexity to an already challenging foreign policy landscape.

As the RSP assumes leadership, the party confronts the immense responsibility of delivering tangible results to a population that has demonstrated both its hunger for change and its willingness to hold leadership accountable. The coming months will test whether this political movement can transform revolutionary energy into effective governance.

A coalition of Democratic legislators has initiated groundbreaking legislative action compelling the State Department to disclose its investigative actions regarding the killing of six-year-old Palestinian child Hind Rajab. The proposed “Justice for Hind Rajab Act,” introduced by Senator Peter Welch alongside Representatives Pramila Jayapal and Sara Jacobs, mandates comprehensive reporting on whether the January 2024 incident violated US arms export regulations.

The legislation requires the Secretaries of State and Defense to produce within 45 days a detailed examination of whether Israeli forces violated the Leahy Law and Foreign Assistance Act during the incident that claimed Rajab’s life. This law prohibits US military assistance to foreign units committing human rights violations.

Central to the inquiry are demands for identification of the soldiers involved and determination of possible US citizenship among perpetrators. The bill further pressures the administration to reveal all knowledge regarding the case, including potential Department of Justice investigations into human rights violations.

Contextualizing the demand, the legislation notes that the US has provided over $21.7 billion in military assistance to Israel since October 2023, with approximately 10,000 US citizens reportedly activated for service in Gaza. These figures contrast starkly with Gaza Health Ministry reports indicating more than 20,000 child casualties in the conflict.

The legislative effort coincides with Israel’s discontinuation of another high-profile investigation into alleged torture and rape at the Sde Teiman detention facility. Advocacy group A New Policy, founded by former US officials who resigned over Gaza policy, emphasizes that “Israel can’t be trusted to investigate itself,” advocating instead for international accountability mechanisms.

The timing strategically leverages attention surrounding the Oscar-nominated documentary “The Voice of Hind Rajab,” which dramatizes the final hours of the child’s life through harrowing phone recordings with rescue workers. Forensic investigations revealed Rajab’s family vehicle was struck by 335 Israeli bullets during their evacuation attempt, with emergency responders also killed before reaching the scene.

In his inaugural address as Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has delivered a stark warning to regional powers, demanding the immediate closure of all US military installations throughout the Middle East. The statement, broadcast through Iran’s state-controlled IRIB network, marked the first public communication from the successor to the assassinated Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The reclusive leader, who had remained unseen since the outbreak of recent hostilities, articulated a dual-track approach to regional relations. While expressing Tehran’s commitment to ‘unity and warm relations with its neighbors,’ Khamenei simultaneously issued an unambiguous threat: ‘The countries of the region must close down the US military bases; otherwise, we will be forced to attack them again.’

Strategic waterways emerged as a central component of Iran’s declared defense strategy. Khamenei explicitly reaffirmed Iran’s continued utilization of the ‘lever of blocking the Strait of Hormuz’ – the critical maritime passage through which approximately 20% of global oil output and one-third of liquefied natural gas shipments transit. This declaration follows over a week of effective closure, with Iranian forces threatening to attack any vessel attempting navigation through the strategic chokepoint.

The new Supreme Leader outlined an expanded conception of military engagement, referencing ‘other fronts’ where Iran possesses strategic advantages. He specifically acknowledged potential coordination with Ansar Allah (Houthi) forces in Yemen and armed factions in Iraq, though concrete intervention from these groups remains unconfirmed.

Khamenei announced comprehensive support measures for conflict casualties, promising free medical treatment and financial compensation funded through war reparations. In a significant escalation of financial rhetoric, he declared: ‘We will take war reparations from the enemy for the war it imposed on us. If the enemy refuses, we will seize as much of its assets as we deem appropriate; and if that is not possible, we will destroy an equivalent amount of its property.’

The leadership transition follows the February 28th airstrike that killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei along with several family members, including the new leader’s wife Zahra Adel, his mother Mansoureh Khojasteh Bagherzadeh, and other relatives. Born in 1969 in the religious center of Mashhad, Mojtaba Khamenei represents both dynastic continuity and theological legitimacy as the grandson of Shia scholar Sayyed Javad Khamenei.

His background reflects deep integration within Iran’s power structures. Educated in Qom’s prestigious seminaries under prominent Islamic scholars, Khamenei built his reputation through theological teaching rather than governmental service. His marriage to Zahra Haddad-Adel, daughter of influential conservative politician Gholam-Ali Haddad-Adel, further solidified his position within Iran’s ruling elite, despite his avoidance of elected office.