An Emirati intelligence expert reveals Iran’s growing web of influence in U.S. universities, warning that terror groups are exploiting academic freedom to recruit the next generation of extremists. Dr. Salem Al-Ketbi associates this trend with Iranian-backed efforts to infiltrate US campuses and spread radical ideology. The arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate, highlights how extremists exploit immigration laws. Foreign funding networks, particularly from Iran, finance Hamas-aligned student activities.
Foreign Influence Campaigns Target American Campuses
American universities are facing a coordinated infiltration by extremist organizations that strategically place operatives within academic settings to indoctrinate students and establish terror networks, according to a comprehensive analysis by Emirati political analyst Dr. Salem Al-Ketbi. The concerning findings, published in a Saudi outlet and translated by the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), point to a sophisticated campaign that leverages America’s open academic environment and immigration system to embed radical ideologues in influential positions at prestigious institutions.
The analysis identifies Iran as a primary sponsor of this infiltration strategy, using foreign students as instruments of influence. These students, often aligned with terrorist organizations like Hamas, serve as proxies for hostile regimes that seek to manipulate political discourse on American campuses. Al-Ketbi’s research indicates this approach is part of a broader effort to shape American public opinion from within academic institutions that hold significant cultural influence.
This is Columbia University. Don’t these people have classes to go to? It blows my mind that American colleges allow their campuses to be taken over by leftist activists who aren’t even enrolled. Higher education doesn’t need to be like this. pic.twitter.com/VyXGUPe6ne
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) March 28, 2025
Case Studies Reveal Alarming Pattern
The report highlights several troubling examples that demonstrate the reality of this threat. Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian-born Columbia University graduate, was recently arrested and accused of being a Hamas sympathizer involved in violent pro-Hamas campus activities. Al-Ketbi argues this case is “not just about student activism” but “sheds light on the way extremist organizations use America’s immigration laws to insert their people into American society.”
Other concerning incidents include a 2019 NSA investigation into Al-Qaeda sympathizers at the University of California, a Pakistani student at NYU allegedly recruiting for ISIS, and a 2023 UC Berkeley conference that praised Hamas attacks. Additionally, a 2024 course described Hamas as a “revolutionary resistance force,” indicating how deeply extremist narratives have penetrated academic discourse. Campus groups like Columbia University’s Apartheid Divest and Students for Justice in Palestine stand accused of promoting antisemitic or pro-terrorism rhetoric.
These hedge funds masked as universities are promoting Marxist ideologies and training people how to be social justice agitators that hate America. pic.twitter.com/Mk95DCckFS
— CommiesOnCampus (@CommiesOnCampus) April 1, 2025
Financial Networks Fueling Campus Extremism
Al-Ketbi’s analysis reveals a complex web of foreign funding networks, particularly from Iran, that finance Hamas-aligned student activities across American universities. These financial connections enable extremist organizations to establish a presence on campuses through seemingly legitimate student groups that serve as fronts for more sinister agendas. The funding facilitates speaking events, protests, and recruitment activities that spread radical ideologies under the guise of academic freedom and legitimate political discourse.
U.S. academic institutions are particularly vulnerable due to insufficient vetting procedures and the misapplication of free speech protections, according to the analysis. The research indicates that universities’ traditional commitment to open dialogue and global perspectives is being exploited by organizations with explicit ties to designated terrorist groups. Al-Ketbi calls for American universities to establish clear guidelines for political activities by foreign students and to scrutinize outside funding sources more thoroughly.
Recommended Countermeasures
Dr. Al-Ketbi’s analysis concludes with specific recommendations for American universities to protect their institutions from infiltration. He urges the establishment of strict policies surrounding political engagements on campus and thorough assessment of foreign funding sources. Additionally, he advocates for enhanced cooperation between academic institutions and national security agencies to identify and address potential threats while preserving legitimate academic freedoms.
The findings emphasize that academic institutions must remain vigilant against exploitation by extremist groups without compromising their educational mission. By implementing proper safeguards against foreign influence campaigns, universities can continue to serve as centers of learning and critical thinking rather than recruitment grounds for terrorist organizations. The integrity of America’s educational system depends on striking this delicate balance between openness and security.