The Saad Truth with Dr. Saad Gregg Roman-Executive Director, Middle East Forum- Iran, Israel, & Immigration (The Saad Truth with Dr. Saad_953)
Jan 9, 2026
Gregg Roman, Executive Director of the Middle East Forum, discusses the Forum's mission to counter Islamism and the complexities of Middle East politics. He shares his personal journey from wrestling to activism and delves into the dynamics of Iran’s current uprising, pondering who might lead the country after the Ayatollahs. Roman argues that younger Iranians crave secular modernity and warns of a potential shift in regional power toward Turkey and Qatar. He also advocates for evolving U.S.-Israel relations and stricter immigration policies to uphold Western values.
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Three-Pronged Think Tank Model
- The Middle East Forum blends research, field operations, and policy advisory to influence real-time events.
- Gregg Roman says frontline operations give actionable intelligence beyond armchair analysis.
Campus Disruption Sparked His Path
- Roman recounts how campus disruptions at Concordia and the film Concordia Unbecoming motivated his activism.
- That experience led him to move to Israel, join the army, and later work in government and the Middle East Forum.
Iran's Unrest Is Multi‑Dimensional
- Iran's unrest combines economic pressure, strikes, and security forces fracturing from the regime.
- Roman argues this mix makes the current uprising the most consequential since 1979 but outcome remains uncertain.