US Professors' Engagement with Terror-Linked Think Tank Sparks Security Concerns

Recent investigations reveal that American university professors have increasingly engaged with the Center for Islam and Global Affairs (CIGA), a Turkish think tank founded by Sami al-Arian—a former academic convicted in the U.S. for conspiracy to support terrorist organizations. Experts warn that such collaborations could pose national security risks, as CIGA has hosted senior figures from Hamas and other designated terror groups. Melissa Sacks, a researcher at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, highlighted concerns over the involvement of numerous U.S. academics who have participated in CIGA events, including professors from prominent universities. Despite al-Arian's criminal record, many scholars have continued to speak at CIGA, which has hosted leaders linked to Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. For instance, in 2023, University of Michigan political science professor David Temin participated in a webinar hosted by CIGA, discussing topics unrelated to security concerns. Following the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel, professors from Ohio State University and Columbia University also moderated discussions on the future of Zionism, with some making controve...