In the wake of military strikes in Iran, Spirit of America is mobilizing quickly. Our International Operations team is working closely with our network of trusted experts and partners to assess how we can respond constructively and where support is needed most across the region.

For more than 20 years, Spirit of America has operated across the Middle East, supporting U.S. troops, diplomats, and local partners with speed and flexibility. When crises erupt — whether during the U.S. evacuation from Afghanistan or the early days of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine — we act quickly because we’re built to.

Below you’ll find information on our current programs. As this situation evolves, your support enables rapid, flexible responses when they matter most.

 With over 40,000 U.S. troops deployed across the Middle East, the region remains as important as ever. Working with local partners, American troops and diplomats conduct critical missions to improve governance, strengthen stability, and promote opportunities for a better future. Spirit of America has worked alongside U.S. troops and diplomats in the Middle East since 2003, supporting more than 165 projects throughout the region.

The Middle East has experienced multiple destabilizing events in recent years. U.S. troops and their partners face regular threats from extremist groups looking to exploit this instability to gain influence. Hundreds of attacks have been carried out against U.S. forces in the Middle East since October 2023.

Partnerships are essential for American troops and diplomats to carry out their missions in the Middle East. Spirit of America is committed to strengthening those partnerships through targeted investments, our private sector capabilities, and strong relationships across the region.

Strengthening security and promoting opportunity in Iraqi Kurdistan

In Iraqi Kurdistan, the Peshmerga security forces have stood shoulder to shoulder with American troops for decades, helping liberate northern Iraq from ISIS control. Working with U.S. Special Operations, Spirit of America has for many years provided nonlethal assistance to help the Peshmerga take back and stabilize their communities.

Today, America’s partnership with Iraqi Kurdistan is under intense pressure from regional disruption, extremist violence, and disinformation campaigns. Working closely with U.S. troops and diplomats, Spirit of America is helping to increase trust and stability in the area by strengthening security and creating opportunities for young leaders who share our values.

Here are three recent examples of this work:

Expanding English language programs

To strengthen security in the region and to help Peshmerga soldiers operate more seamlessly with U.S. forces, we expanded an intensive English language education program for the Peshmerga. In October 2024, 28 men and women started our program with the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs and the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani. In June 2025, all 28 soldiers graduated.

In addition to improving interoperability with the military, enhanced English language skills can also open doors to military education and training opportunities here in the United States, further promoting partnership with our friends and allies.

Empowering young entrepreneurs

To support young people in Iraqi Kurdistan and encourage them to improve their communities through entrepreneurship, Spirit of America launched the Youth Impact Initiative, a collaborative campaign with the U.S. Consulate Erbil and local partner Five One Labs. This project gave young leaders in the region the resources, mentorship and confidence they’d need to turn their bold ideas into actions. Over 800 young people presented solutions to challenges affecting their communities. Read more about the winning projects here.

Improving soldier health and readiness

In April 2025, Spirit of America and the Peshmerga Forces launched a new digital reporting platform that gives commanders real-time insight into unit health and readiness. The initiative also standardizes the process for medical evacuation, assessment, and treatment across the Peshmerga Forces — a critical step in the modernization and improved combat readiness of a key American security ally in the Middle East. Learn more about how this new system improves soldiers’ health.

Delivering critical assistance to support security in Lebanon

“If Lebanon is to have a better future, it lies in one institution and that is the Lebanese Armed Forces, which did deploy with unprecedented strength following the last ceasefire… I can’t imagine a better investment in a more stable regional future than what Spirit of America is doing with the Lebanese Armed Forces right now.” – Ambassador Ryan Crocker, Spirit of America Advisory Board

Given the evolving conflict in Iran and the Middle East, the situation on the ground in Lebanon is very fluid. In the weeks following the attacks in Iran and across the Middle East, Spirit of America delivered over $95,000 in humanitarian assistance to 6,000 displaced family members of Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) personnel affected by the recent escalation. While many other organizations have provided humanitarian support for displaced civilians, our U.S. military partners identified a gap in assistance for LAF families, including food, water, and essential hygiene supplies. This support ensures Lebanese Army personnel can remain focused on their operational responsibilities and reinforces the resilience of one of Lebanon’s most critical and widely respected institutions.

Prior to March 2026, our team worked alongside U.S. Special Operations Forces and State Department partners to support the Lebanese Armed Forces as they secured strategic areas in South Lebanon, after Israeli and UN forces withdrew from the area in late 2024. Spirit of America provided critical infrastructure — prefabricated housing units, power generators, and vehicle repair kits — to the LAF as they deployed in areas long influenced by Hezbollah. We also delivered humanitarian and medical assistance to local families, clinics, and hospitals to build goodwill and trust between the LAF and civilian communities.

100% of your donation will go directly to the expenses of implementing this project and providing the assistance. Donations in excess of this project’s need will be offered a refund. We are proud to be rated 4 stars by Charity Navigator.