As tensions continue to escalate in the Middle East following the U.S. airstrikes on Iran, a veteran-led rescue organization known as Project DYNAMO has stepped in to evacuate 228 Americans from Israel. The organization, founded in 2021 in response to the U.S. military’s withdrawal from Afghanistan, specializes in rescuing Americans and allies from high-risk situations and disaster areas. With the situation in the region growing increasingly volatile after weeks of airstrikes between Israel and Iran, Project DYNAMO has intensified its efforts to extract U.S. citizens from the area. The organization’s CEO, Mario Duarte, has criticized the U.S. government’s perceived weakness in foreign policy, which he argues has allowed foreign actors to dictate the situation.
Facing a rising number of U.S. citizens in danger, the State Department has already evacuated over 25,000 people from Israel, Iran, and the West Bank, including U.S. Embassy staff and families. However, the number of people in need of assistance has continued to grow, with over 6,400 U.S. citizens in Israel having submitted evacuation requests. Despite the logistical challenges, Project DYNAMO remains committed to aiding those in need, with Duarte emphasizing the importance of a robust U.S. foreign policy to protect its citizens globally.