With over 40,000 US 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 US troops and diplomats in the Middle East since 2003, supporting more than 165 projects throughout the region.

In recent years, the Middle East has experienced multiple destabilizing events. US 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 US 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.

Delivering Critical Infrastructure to Support Security in Lebanon

Since the Ceasefire Agreement between Lebanon and Israel in late 2024, our team has mobilized alongside U.S. Special Operations Forces and State Department partners to provide critical, time-sensitive support and long-term strategic value aligned with U.S. national interests.

In March 2025, Spirit of America announced a $1 million investment in the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) as they implement a historic mission in South Lebanon. That investment enabled LAF to rapidly secure strategic areas while Israeli and UN forces withdrew from the area. Prefabricated housing units, power generators, vehicle repair kits, and humanitarian supplies — provided by Spirit of America — supported the LAF’s efforts to deploy and extend its control across southern Lebanon, particularly in areas long influenced by Hezbollah. This contributes to increased stability and peace between Israel and Lebanon after generations of conflict. Additional humanitarian support in this region has strengthened local trust in the LAF and enhanced its legitimacy, a critical step in ensuring that the Lebanese state maintains the monopoly of arms in the country.

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. When ISIS occupied large swaths of Iraq in 2014, the Peshmerga fought valiantly and, along with Iraqi federal forces, liberated northern Iraq from ISIS control. Working with US Special Operations units, Spirit of America provided nonlethal assistance to help the Peshmerga take back their communities. An Army Master Sergeant later wrote, “There is no other organization like Spirit of America. In terms of how people can help, there’s no better way to support the troops.”

Today, America’s partnership with Iraqi Kurdistan is under intense pressure from regional disruption, extremist violence, and disinformation campaigns. Working closely with US diplomats and troops, Spirit of America is promoting a more resilient and comprehensive relationship that reflects the shared values and interests between Americans and the people of Iraqi Kurdistan.

Improving soldier health and readiness

In April 2025, Spirit of America and the Peshmerga Forces launched the Medical Force Readiness Initiative, a new digital reporting platform now live in more than 50 Peshmerga medical units across the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The platform gives commanders real-time insight into unit health and readiness, and 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.

This new system will help the Peshmerga better understand their soldiers’ health and how best to deploy doctors and other medical personnel to the units that need it most. The increased communication capabilities, reporting speed, and improved data management will make this already vital partner to the US an even greater force to be reckoned with in an increasingly dynamic territory.

Expanding the Peshmerga English Language Program

To strengthen security in the region and to help Peshmerga soldiers operate more seamlessly with US 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 US Consulate Erbil and local partner Five One Labs. This project set out to strengthen engagement and solidarity between Americans and Kurdistani youth, and to provide young leaders in the region with the resources, mentorship and confidence they’d need to turn their bold ideas into actions.

The campaign kicked off with a pitch competition, inviting young people in the region to present solutions to challenges affecting their communities. Over 800 applications poured in, highlighting the enthusiasm for programs in this region that empower individuals to become leaders in improving the areas where they live and work. The project proposals ranged from issues like environmental sustainability, public health, community engagement, and legal empowerment. In total, 10 finalists were selected and publicly celebrated for their creativity and commitment to making an impact. Read more about the winning projects here.

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.