Georgetown professor hopes Iran strikes US military base

In the United States, social media backlash erupted against a Georgetown University professor following a controversial post he made on June 23, 2025. Dr. Jonathan Brown, an Alwaleed bin Talal chair of Islamic Civilization at the university, expressed his desire for Iran to carry out a 'symbolic strike' on a U.S. base. The statement came after the U.S. military targeted Iranian nuclear sites the previous night, heightening tensions between the two nations. Following his post, prominent conservative commentators interpreted Brown's words as a call for violence against American servicemembers, prompting widespread outrage and calls for his termination from Georgetown University. In the fallout from Brown's comments, many public figures expressed their disgust, emphasizing the dangerous implications of his words amidst ongoing military conflicts. GOP Representative Randy Fine and Mark Dubowitz, CEO of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, were among those who highlighted Brown's position and called for accountability. They noted that a professor at a prestigious university should not be inciting or appearing to endorse violence against military personnel. The controversy was further exacerbated by Brown's familial connections; his father-in-law, Sami Al-Arian, was previously deported from the U.S. for supporting a terrorist organization. Critics utilized this background to question Brown's credibility and values. After receiving backlash, Brown deleted his original post and attempted to clarify his intention, claiming he wanted to promote de-escalation rather than violence. Georgetown University issued a statement expressing its disapproval of Brown's remarks, stating that the views expressed were not reflective of the institution. As tensions escalated in the Middle East following U.S. airstrikes on Iranian interests, Brown's comments gained additional scrutiny. His post coincided with heightened military engagements, leading many to argue the dangers of academic figures weighing in on sensitive geopolitical matters. The university's response indicated an ongoing evaluation of the situation, suggesting that while Brown's comments were not condoned, more action may be considered depending on the university's findings following the incident.