| Published April 3, 2025
Washington, D.C. – An Emirati political analyst has issued a stark warning about Iran and other foreign adversaries using American universities as breeding grounds for ideological indoctrination and potential terror networks. Dr. Salem Al-Ketbi, a researcher and commentator on Middle Eastern affairs, cautions that hostile states are exploiting academic institutions to radicalize students and influence U.S. politics from within.
Weaponizing Academia for Ideological Warfare
According to Dr. Al-Ketbi, Iran has strategically placed operatives in higher education institutions, using student organizations and academic programs to spread extremist ideologies. He argues that these efforts are designed not only to turn young Americans against their own government but also to cultivate sympathizers for anti-Western movements abroad.
“Iran and its proxies have long understood the power of ideological influence,” Al-Ketbi stated. “By infiltrating universities, they are shaping the next generation of policymakers, activists, and media influencers to be sympathetic to their cause.”
The Role of Student Organizations
Dr. Al-Ketbi points to groups such as Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and other radicalized campus organizations as potential conduits for foreign propaganda. These groups, often funded by international donors, have been accused of spreading anti-American and antisemitic rhetoric while justifying violence in the Middle East.
In recent months, multiple U.S. universities have faced scrutiny for hosting events that glorify terrorist organizations like Hamas and Hezbollah. Some campuses have seen speakers openly endorse the October 7 Hamas attacks against Israel, while others have allowed foreign-backed protests that veer into calls for violence.
Foreign Governments Exploiting Student Visas
Another key concern is the potential for adversarial nations to exploit student visa programs to place operatives within the U.S. intelligence and law enforcement officials have long suspected that some foreign students are acting as agents for hostile regimes, gathering intelligence or attempting to recruit American students into extremist causes.
Past cases have demonstrated this risk:
In 2019, an FBI investigation uncovered Iranian-backed efforts to influence political activism in U.S. universities.
In 2023, a report exposed Chinese Communist Party-linked researchers engaging in technology theft under the guise of academic collaboration.
In 2024, a Middle Eastern student in a top Ivy League school was found to be disseminating pro-terrorist propaganda under the cover of “academic freedom.”
Calls for Action
Dr. Al-Ketbi urges U.S. policymakers to take decisive action to counter this infiltration. He recommends:
1. Stronger vetting of foreign students – Implementing stricter background checks and monitoring funding sources for academic programs.
2. Increased oversight of campus organizations – Ensuring that student groups are not receiving undisclosed foreign funding or engaging in extremist advocacy.
3. Crackdown on hostile state influence – Holding universities accountable for allowing foreign-backed radicalization efforts to take root.
“Universities should be places of free thought and debate, not recruitment centers for extremist ideologies,” Al-Ketbi warned. “The United States must wake up to this growing threat before it is too late.”
A Growing National Security Concern
As concerns about foreign influence in higher education continue to grow, lawmakers and security officials are calling for greater transparency in university funding and foreign partnerships. With Iran and other adversaries ramping up their efforts, the battle for America’s academic institutions is shaping up to be a critical front in the fight against extremism.
For now, the question remains: Will the U.S. take action before it’s too late?
SOURCES: BREITBART – Expert Warns Iran, Terror Orgs Infiltrating U.S. Universities to Indoctrinate Students & Recruit Members
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