Daniel Pipes

Daniel Pipes is an American historian, writer, and political commentator known for his work on the Middle East, Islamism, and foreign policy. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, he is the son of renowned Cold War historian Richard Pipes. Pipes earned his undergraduate and doctoral degrees in history from Harvard University, where he specialized in medieval Islamic history. Over time, his focus shifted to contemporary issues in the Middle East, radical Islam, and U.S. policy in the region.

Pipes has held positions at several prominent institutions, including the U.S. State Department, the U.S. Naval War College, and the University of Chicago. In 1994, he founded the Middle East Forum (MEF), a think tank dedicated to promoting American interests and analyzing Middle Eastern affairs. Through MEF and its publication, Middle East Quarterly, Pipes has been a vocal critic of political Islam and what he sees as threats posed by Islamist extremism.

A frequent contributor to mainstream publications like The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post, Pipes is also a regular commentator on television and radio. His views, particularly on Islam and immigration, have sparked both praise and controversy, with supporters calling him a courageous voice on national security and critics accusing him of promoting Islamophobic rhetoric.

Throughout his career, Pipes has authored more than a dozen books, including "In the Path of God: Islam and Political Power" and "Militant Islam Reaches America." He remains an influential figure in policy and academic circles, especially among those advocating for a strong, security-focused approach to U.S. engagement in the Muslim world.