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Dear Washington Report and Middle East Books Friends,
Nearly 44 years ago, three retired diplomats who’d fallen in love with the Middle East decided to launch a newsletter to send to legislators and voters to improve U.S. foreign policy. They firmly believed if men and women in the West got better information about the people who live in the Arab world, they could halt the flood of weapons, money and bad press that repeatedly destroy any hope of peace and prosperity at home and abroad. They started a book club for subscribers who wanted books they couldn’t find in their libraries or bookstores.
Fast forward to today. The Washington Report on Middle East Affairs has become both a highly regarded print magazine mailed to leaders, universities and households as well as a digital publication for readers who prefer to read their news online. For more than four decades, every article we’ve published has been accessible to journalists and students who want information they can’t find in biased corporate media. During the recent genocide we’ve added pages to highlight stories from young Gazan writers and included the special “Other Voices” insert—vital articles culled from online publications—in every issue for free. Our newly expanded book review section helps readers choose which books to read next.
Today that old book club for subscribers has morphed into Middle East Books and More, a physical bookstore that sends the best books—as well as Palestinian olive oil, handicrafts and more—to shoppers around the world. As many of you have watched and waited, our DC bookstore grew slowly over the years until its latest expansion and renovation, completed just in time for Christmas. It has been a joy to watch the reaction of shoppers who’ve made a pilgrimage here every time they’re in DC. They just beam when they enter this delightful space and settle in to find treasures—books, pottery, T-shirts and more. We plan film screenings, book talks, children’s hours, and book clubs in 2026! We thank our readers, writers, editors and donors for making all of this possible.
But now our tiny staff now needs your urgent help to keep it all going. The expansion of the bookstore and magazine has come at a high financial and physical cost. Our staff works horrendous hours to get the magazine out and books on shelves. Soon we will begin renovating upstairs because the Museum of the Palestinian People next door needs additional gallery space. We acknowledge the ways in which the museum complements our work, and we are glad to facilitate its mission.
You are the community our three visionary co-founders and the legions of writers and staff have helped to build over the years. And now we need your help. As we grappled with the endless decisions and delays that are inherent in any large renovation, we neglected sending you biannual donation appeals this year, and we regret that, because it left many of you in the dark about our financial needs. Some of you forgot to give gift subscriptions or renew your own. Please consider an online end-of-the-2025-year donation today. Or mail a check as soon as you can in 2026 to begin the new year as an “Angel” in the magazine. We will use every dollar you send to grow this community and educate the leaders and voters who can transform our foreign policy. Together we can work to bring peace and prosperity instead of wars without end.
Sincerely,
Delinda C. Hanley, Dale Sprusansky, Ida Audeh, Janet McMahon, Jack McGrath, Charles Carter and Ralph Scherer
American Educational Trust
1902 18th St NW
Washington, DC 20009
Together we can strengthen our community, build a better world and...
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