The prominent American journalist and former Pentagon official, Michael Rubin asserts that, the Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK) and its umbrella National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) seek to deny or silence discussion about the inconsistency in their activities rather than explaining about it.
In reply to the MEK’s representative, Ali Safavi’s letter to Middle East Forum’s editor, Rubin writes, “Organizations that prioritize ad hominem invective over dispassionate debate, do so because they understand they cannot win with facts”.
Ali Safavi claims that Rubin persists in amplifying the narratives of the Iranian government against the MEK by criticizing the group in his articles including the one he published on July 7, 2025 commentary in the Middle East Forum Observer (“Iran’s Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization Is Now Irrelevant. Will It Disband?”).
Admitting the responsibility of what he wrote Rubin said, “Mr. Safavi is correct that I have criticized the Mujahedin-e Khalq on several occasions based on its history, behavior, and opacity.” However, Rubin properly notified that rather than acknowledge its choices the MEK, often deflects with ad hominem attacks.
“If the Mojahedin-e Khalq and its various proxies have nothing to hide, they should welcome transparency rather than criticize it,” he added.
As the director of policy analysis of the Middle East Forum, since 2023 to present, Rubin declares that “The Middle East Forum would welcome the opportunity to have a public, unscripted interview with Maryam Rajavi, president-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, to discuss the organization’s past and address the many concerns that the group continues to sidestep”.
Michael Rubin (born 1971) is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI). He previously worked as an official at the Pentagon, where he dealt with issues relating to the Middle East, and as political adviser to the Coalition Provisional Authority. He has written several articles criticizing the MEK, its leaders and its front organizations like NCR.