Belmont University (Nashville music)

Dear Colleagues,

It’s a pleasure representing MBN to different audiences. Hearing from students is especially gratifying. I was at Belmont University in Nashville yesterday evening, hosted by a chapter of the Alexander Hamilton Society (AHS).

Students I met wanted to learn about MBN’s mission, our journalism, and how we function as a U.S-funded media organization. They had questions about Iran, Russia, and Chinese influence in the Middle East.

This spring, I’ll be speaking for AHS at the University of Denver’s Josef Korbel School. These are quick overnight trips, a chance to spread the word, involving no expense to MBN.

Next week, we’ll be with Rob Satloff’s Washington Institute on Wednesday and Stephen Schneider’s team at AIPAC on Thursday.

MBN’s story is a strong one.

Eighteen months ago we began the difficult but necessary process of strategic reform and modernization. Our industry is in the throes of wrenching change. With strong board support, we aligned with budget realities and leaned into change.

Last year was a year of funding uncertainty. We kept going.

We followed that first round of cuts of 200 with reductions of 500 — painful restructuring that saved the American taxpayer tens of millions of dollars — to arrive where we are today.

MBN today is a nimble, agile, impactful, media group; Congressionally funded, mission-aligned, and well-positioned for judicious and disciplined strategic reinvestment.

We’re grateful for our 2026 appropriation. There’s bipartisan Congressional support for MBN’s critical work. A new grant agreement provided to us by USAGM is currently under review by a team led by Anne. We’re craving a collaborative relationship, and need stability going forward for efficient operations and serious strategic planning.

I’m grateful for the valuable work Raji and Michael have done in creating our MBN FY 2026 financial plan. We’re committed to accountability and remain determined to be responsible stewards of resources.

Let’s discuss the financial plan at a town hall meeting Wednesday March 4 at 11 am.

We’re tuning things up at a board meeting tomorrow. We remain incredibly fortunate to have Ryan Crocker as chair and a group of exceptionally experienced and dedicated trustees around the table.

At next Wednesday’s town hall meeting, we’ll update you on relocation. In Springfield, we have 70,000 square feet. We’re planning to move to 20,000 square feet and change — with cost savings to the American taxpayer of at least $1 million a year.  At MBN, transformation and modernization keep barreling down the track.

We’re passionate about mission and the integrity of our journalism. Of course, we’ll speak about editorial strategy next week. MBN advances U.S. foreign policy aims and national security objectives by providing audiences across the Middle East and North Africa with accurate, honest, and reliable news and information — along with vital context! Let’s discuss next steps in our editorial strategy.

This is another week bursting with rich content. On Iran, MBN is positioned as the primary source in our region for anyone who wants political context and technical detail on the U.S. military buildup and the Geneva track. We’re focused on the transition now from diplomatic warnings to difficult policy decisions following the State of the Union.

In Lebanon, we’re tracking government efforts to disarm Hezbollah — and Iranian threats to the military air base. We’re reporting on internal splits within the Coordination Framework, the dominant alliance of Iran-aligned Shiite parties in Iraq. We have original on-the-ground reporting from Dilshad and Mustafa on Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) movements near the Iraq border, as well as Russian radar deployments.

Next Wednesday, we’ll host Elliott Abrams, Roya Hakakian, and our Andres Ilves on the shape of the next Iran. Today’s Iran is a dictatorship with an expiration date. For decades, the Islamic Republic has been a destabilizing, destructive factor in Middle East politics. Our audiences want sharp analysis, and insight into what’s apt to come next.

One student at my talk at Belmont University last night told me her father is with the Air Force and deploying to an unknown location today. Talks continue tomorrow in Geneva. The U.S. military build up over the last week includes at least 150 aircraft positioned in Europe and the Middle East.

Another student, himself a young vet who had served in Afghanistan — who knew a thing or two about Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen — told me I had to visit Belmont’s amazing guitar collection.

A student named George from Tennessee works at the university as a guitar collection guide. Top majors at Belmont are music, arts, and media management.

Belmont’s Guitars

For everyone at MBN, I realize the pace has been at times grueling. Take care of yourselves. Here’s a change of pace.

Belmont University is near Midtown and Music Row, the heart of Nashville’s music industry. I just learned about Writers Nights in Nashville, countless open mic opportunities for songwriters to share material and aspiring country music legends to get discovered.

I heard yesterday for the first time about the Gallery of Iconic Guitars at Belmont University, a collection within the university library of rare and historically significant instruments.

There’s a 1955 Fender Stratocaster, a 1958 Gibson Les Paul, and a 1938 Martin D-45. Martin acoustic guitars are a wonder. I once owned a Martin D-35 twelve string, my pride and joy.

The guitar maker has a 200-year-legacy of brilliant craftsmanship with Sitka spruce, mahogany, and rosewood. Produced in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, Martin guitars have been known as the instruments that make angels weep. They’ve been called “little boxes of therapy.”

Martin devotees? Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton.

Here’s a soulful country classic with a couple Martin guitars.

Here’s up tempo.

But try this, too. It’s Dylan with two gorgeous smaller instruments.

We still have in mind a little music to help open our new headquarters this spring. We’ll try to be creative. Stay tuned.

My best, Jeff