FDD Events Podcast (FDD)

FDD Senior Vice President Jonathan Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis on headlines of the Middle East, followed by a conversation with Asaf Romirowsky, Executive Director of the Association for the Study of the Middle East and Africa and of Scholars for Peace in the Middle East.

Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

FDD Senior Vice President Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Mark Regev, former Israeli Ambassador to the UK and current Senior Advisor to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Nearly two years after the disastrous U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, the Taliban regime has reconstituted its Islamic Emirate and returned to draconian policies that are in grave violation of fundamental human rights. While President Biden and the Taliban alike claim al-Qaeda is not active in Afghanistan, recent United Nations monitoring shows al-Qaeda leaders are embedded in key Afghan ministries, with the group running training camps, safe houses, and media operations across multiple Afghan provinces. Terror groups such as the Movement of the Taliban in Pakistan enjoy free reign, while threats from the Islamic State persist.

To prevent Afghanistan from further collapsing into a hub for terrorism, the West must pursue a clear-eyed security strategy that imposes due costs on the Taliban and eliminates safe havens for Islamic extremists.

To discuss the situation on the ground, barriers to security, and the best path forward for policymakers, FDD will host a live, virtual panel featuring Kathy Gannon, former news director and chief correspondent for the Associated Press, who has covered Afghanistan and Pakistan for 35 years; Edmund Fitton-Brown, former British diplomat and coordinator of the UN Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team concerning the Islamic State, al-Qaeda, and the Taliban; and Bill Roggio, FDD senior fellow and editor of FDD’s Long War Journal. The discussion will be moderated by NBC News national security and global affairs reporter, Dan De Luce.

LEBANON, ISRAEL, AND THE FUTURE OF THE MIDDLE EAST

HEADLINE 1: The Trump administration rolled out another round of Iran sanctions.

HEADLINE 2: Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is a wanted man in Argentina.

HEADLINE 3: Israeli and Turkish officials met in Azerbaijan to discuss Syria.

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FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Carine Hajjar, an opinion and editorial writer and Editorial Board member at The Boston Globe.

Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

FDD Senior Advisor Richard Goldberg delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Anthony Ruggiero, former NSC Senior Director for Counterproliferation and Biodefense and current Senior Director of FDD's Nonproliferation and Biodefense Program.

Learn more here: www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

FDD Senior Vice President Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Ehud Yaari, Lafer International Fellow at The Washington Institute.

Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

FDD Senior Fellow and former IDF International Spokesperson Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Brigadier General (Ret.) Amir Avivi. The pair discuss the emerging Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal and its implications for the wider region.

Learn more at: https://fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

FDD Senior Vice President Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Jerusalem-based Fox News foreign correspondent covering the current war in Gaza, Trey Yingst.

Former IDF International Spokesperson and FDD Senior Fellow Lt. Col. (Ret.) Jonathan Conricus delivers timely situational updates and analysis on headlines out of the Middle East, followed by a conversation with military analyst and Iran expert Amir Bar Shalom.

Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

FDD Senior Vice President Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with David Daoud, FDD Senior Fellow focused on Lebanon and Hezbollah.

Learn more at: www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

Check out: 10 Things to Know About Hezbollah

Emerging technology develops at a pace that is hard to master, much less legislate. The government should ensure that the opportunities technology provides maximize the potential for societal improvements while ensuring both economic and national security. Two of the most effective efforts to tackle the emerging technology challenges in the past half-decade were the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence (NSCAI) and the Cyberspace Solarium Commission (CSC).

As the former chairs of these two congressionally mandated commissions, Rep. Mike Gallagher (CSC) and Dr. Eric Schmidt (NSCAI) discuss the roles of Congress, the Executive Branch, academia, and private sector leaders in shaping emerging technology policy, including how commissions can influence policies moving forward.

The panel is moderated by the former NSCAI Executive Director and current President and CEO of the Special Competitive Studies Project Ylli Bajraktari, and the former CSC Executive Director and current Senior Director of FDD’s Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation and CSC 2.0 Executive Director RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery.

The event is hosted by the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, the Special Competitive Studies Project, and CSC 2.0.

Read more and watch the conversation here:

https://www.fdd.org/events/2023/06/07/thinking-forward-after-the-nscai-and-csc/

SOUTH AFRICA'S MALIGN TIES WITH AUTHORITARIANS

HEADLINE 1: Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani was in Iran this week.

HEADLINE 2: Arab leaders are meeting in Riyadh today to discuss alternatives to President Trump’s vision for Gaza.

HEADLINE 3: Iran executed a record number of people in 2024.

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FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Max Meizlish, senior research analyst at FDD's Center on Economic and Financial Power.

Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

FDD Senior Vice President Jonathan Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis on headlines of the Middle East, followed by a conversation with Firas Maksad, a senior fellow and the senior director for outreach at the Middle East Institute, an adjunct professor at GWU’s Elliott School of International Affairs, and a foreign policy contributor at The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post.

Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

Former IDF Spokesperson and FDD Senior Fellow Lt. Col. (Ret.) Jonathan Conricus delivers timely situational updates after an alleged Israeli strike in Iran. He is joined by former Head IDF Intelligence Research Division and Director General of Israel's Ministry of Strategic Affairs Brig. Gen. (Res.) Yossi Kuperwasser.

Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

FDD Senior Vice President Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Iranian-American attorney and activist Elica Le Bon.

Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

China has prepositioned destructive cyber capabilities in U.S. energy and transportation infrastructure. Russia has capabilities to disrupt undersea cables and industrial control systems. Iran has exploited unprotected networks to deface machines monitoring water systems. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) at the Department of Homeland Security is charged with collaborating with the private sector to secure critical systems. Since its creation in 2018, CISA has led federal efforts to understand and mitigate systemic cyber risk. How vulnerable is America in cyberspace? How has public-private cyber collaboration changed over the past six years? And, as U.S. adversaries become more aggressive in cyberspace, how can CISA bolster national cyber resilience?

FDD’s Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation hosts a fireside chat with CISA Director Jen Easterly on protecting critical infrastructure in the cyber age. The conversation will be moderated by RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, CCTI senior director and former executive director of the congressionally mandated Cyberspace Solarium Commission.

For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/events/2024/01/15/infrastructure-security-in-the-cyber-age-a-conversation-with-cisa-director-jen-easterly/

FDD Senior Vice President Jonathan Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Dr. Einat Wilf, former Israeli parliamentarian, foreign policy advisor to Shimon Peres, and IDF intelligence officer.

Learn more at: www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

State-backed hackers and cybercriminals from Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea are stealing America’s technological edge and holding U.S. critical infrastructure at ransom. What are we doing to thwart or deter them?  

Nearly four years ago, the congressionally mandated Cyberspace Solarium Commission (CSC) was tasked with developing a strategic approach to defend U.S. national security and economic interests in cyberspace. The commission put forward more than 80 concrete recommendations (in a 2020 report and six subsequent white papers) for what it would take for the U.S. government to succeed. 

More than 85 percent of these initial recommendations are fully or partially implemented or on track for implementation. Following the commission’s planned sunset, CSC 2.0 is continuing efforts to assess and implement its recommendations. How resilient are we in cyberspace today? What is still left to be addressed? 

Commission co-chairs Sen. Angus King (I-ME) and Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) will join a discussion hosted by CSC 2.0 and FDD’s Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation to discuss outstanding congressional and executive actions in cyberspace and the path forward for national cyber policy. The conversation will be moderated by Tim Starks, author of the Cybersecurity 202 newsletter at The Washington Post. 

 The event will coincide with the release of the second annual implementation assessment report. 

FDD Senior Vice President Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Mannie Fabian, military correspondent at the Times of Israel, for the latest on the IDF operation that freed two hostages from Rafah over the weekend.

Learn more at: www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, senior director of FDD's Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation, fills in for Jon Schanzer on the FDD Morning Brief. He delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with retired U.S. Air Force General Mike Minihan.

Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

The character of war is constantly evolving. Those changes are happening not just on land, at sea, and in air – but also in the subterranean realm. The combatant that best understands these ongoing changes and adapts the most effectively is more likely to be successful in future wars.

Few modern militaries know subterranean warfare better than Israel. That’s because terrorist groups such has Hamas and Hezbollah have for years attempted to use tunnels to infiltrate Israel and conduct attacks there. Following the October 7 terror attack on Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah used tunnels in Gaza and Lebanon, respectively, to protect terrorist forces and their arsenals from counterattack, imprison hostages, extend the conflicts, and further political warfare strategies. In response, Israel has developed world-class technologies, capabilities, and tactics to detect and destroy tunnels.

What is the nature of subterranean warfare, how was it used in Gaza and Lebanon, and was this an anomaly peculiar to those wars and places or rather a sign of things to come elsewhere? What lessons should be learned, and how should Israel, the United States, and its allies respond?

To discuss these questions and more, FDD hosts MAJ (Ret.) John Spencer, Chair of Urban Warfare Studies at the Modern War Institute at West Point, Daphné Richemond-Barak, Assistant Professor in the Lauder School of Government, Diplomacy, and Strategy at Reichman University in Israel, and Lt. Col. (Ret.) Jonathan Conricus, Senior Fellow at FDD. The conversation is moderated by Bradley Bowman, Senior Director of FDD’s Center on Military and Political Power with introductory remarks by FDD Executive Director Jonathan Schanzer.

For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/events/2025/01/13/tunnel-vision-us-israel-cooperation-and-thefuture-of-underground-warfare/

FDD Senior Fellow David Daoud delivers timely situational updates and analyses on Israel, Lebanon, Hezbollah, and the war in the Middle East, followed by a conversation with Lina Khatib, Director of the UK-based SOAS Middle East Institute.

Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

Cyber threats are evolving – but U.S. cyber policy coordination is still lagging behind. Four years after the establishment of the Office of the National Cyber Director, the Trump administration has a unique opportunity to establish stronger central coordination and drive meaningful improvements in how the federal government secures and defends cyberspace. How should the administration clarify and reinforce the role of the National Cyber Director? How can the administration create a more structured and accountable interagency cyber community? How can these structures set clearer national priorities and achieve the goals of deterring adversaries and advancing national resilience in cyberspace?

To discuss these issues and more, FDD’s Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation (CCTI) hosts a virtual conversation with former National Cyber Director Chris Inglis and John Costello, senior advisor to CSC 2.0, an initiative housed at FDD to continue the work of the congressionally mandated Cyberspace Solarium Commission. The conversation is moderated by RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, senior director of CCTI and former executive director of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission with introductions by Dr. Samantha Ravich, Chair of FDD’s Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation.

For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/events/2025/03/12/coaching-thecyberteam-the-future-of-the-office-of-the-national-cyber-director-and-cyber-governance/

FDD Senior Vice President Jonathan Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis on breaking news out of the Middle East on the deaths of top Hezbollah and Hamas leaders, followed by a conversation with Aviva Klompas, Co-Founder and CEO of Boundless Israel and former Head of Speechwriting at Israel's Mission to United Nations.

Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

FDD Senior Vice President Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis on the war in the Middle East, followed by a conversation with author and political analyst Benjamin Weingarten to discuss the role of Qatar on the Israel-Hamas war.

Learn more at: www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

The Republic of Turkey as designed 100 years ago by Kemal Ataturk was intended to be a stalwart member of the Western alliance. A founding member of the United Nations, an early member of NATO, and a candidate for European Union membership, Turkey was a trusted and reliable U.S. ally committed to secular governance and rule of law. Unfortunately, it will mark its centennial under a radically different guise. The two-decade rule of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has transformed Turkey to be defined by authoritarian nationalism, distanced from the West both as a people and a government. Following Hamas’s recent terrorist attacks on Israel, for example, policymakers in Washington are looking with increased scrutiny at Turkey’s deep dies with the terrorist organization.

One hundred years on, what is the trajectory of Turkey as a geopolitical and security partner for the West? What are the core security concerns held by the United States and its allies vis-à-vis Turkey and what steps could Erdogan take to change course? How could policymakers support a more prosperous century ahead for the U.S.-Turkey relationship? To what extent can Ankara claim to be a member of the Western alliance, while providing material support to terrorist entities?

Join FDD’s Turkey Program for a panel discussion featuring Henri Barkey, Cohen International Relations professor at Lehigh University and adjunct senior fellow at CFR; Sinan Ciddi, non-resident senior fellow at FDD; and Sibel Oktay, non-resident senior fellow at Chicago Council on Global Affairs. The conversation will be moderated by Amb. Eric Edelman, senior advisor at FDD, with introductory remarks by FDD Senior Vice President Jonathan Schanzer.

FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Dr. Hay Eytan Cohen Yanarocak, an author, Tel Aviv University professor, and one of the world's foremost experts on Turkey.

Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

A SECURE FUTURE FOR THE MIDDLE EAST

HEADLINE 1: The IDF conducted a series of strikes in Syria.

HEADLINE 2: The IDF has been busy dismantling terrorist infrastructure in the West Bank city of Jenin.

HEADLINE 3: Iran, Russia, and China conducted joint naval exercises.

HEADLINE 4: Israel and Lebanon are launching a series of talks to resolve outstanding issues.

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FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Lianne Pollak-David, founding partner of the newly established Coalition for Regional Security.

Learn more at: https://fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

As cyber threats from malign actors against America’s critical infrastructure evolve, so must our defenses. Four years ago, the congressionally mandated Cyberspace Solarium Commission (CSC) offered a new strategic approach to combat these threats and defend U.S. national security and economic interests in cyberspace.

Since then, the Commission’s report and white papers have driven significant advancements in U.S. cybersecurity policy, prompting Congress and the White House to develop innovative solutions to address these challenges. These efforts have improved federal government coordination, advanced U.S. cyber interests globally, deepened public-private partnerships, bolstered national resilience, and preserved military instruments of national power. However, key questions remain for Congress and the White House. Is the private sector adequately prepared to defend against sophisticated cyberattacks? What impact do funding shortfalls have on implementing the National Cyber Strategy? What lessons should guide the incoming administration and Congress in strengthening U.S. cybersecurity posture?

To explore these questions, FDD and CSC 2.0 host a discussion featuring Commission Co-Chair Sen. Angus King (I-ME); Tom Fanning, Former Executive Chairman of Southern Company; and former Executive Director RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, who leads CSC 2.0 and serves as senior director of FDD’s Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation (CCTI). Sam Sabin, Cybersecurity Reporter at Axios will moderate the conversation. This event coincides with the release of the fourth annual assessment report, which evaluates the progress made and the challenges ahead in implementing the Commission’s recommendations.

For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/events/2024/09/19/americas-cyber-resiliency-in-2024-a-conversation-with-csc-20-co-chair-sen-angus-king/

FDD Senior Vice President Jonathan Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis on headlines of the Middle East, followed by a conversation with Ghaith Al-Omari, Senior Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, who previously held various positions within the Palestinian Authority.

Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

Protecting our government and private sector networks from state-backed hackers and cybercriminals is more important than ever and starts with having robust cybersecurity teams. However, as the demand for cybersecurity professionals rapidly grows, the supply has not matched pace, leading to hundreds of thousands of unfilled cybersecurity positions across the U.S. federal government and private sector. To address this gap, the Biden Administration released the National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy, a document with the ambitious goals on educating and training students and professionals to expand the cybersecurity workforce.

To discuss the implementation of the strategy and strengthening the federal cyber workforce, FDD and CSC 2.0 are hosting an event with Camille Stewart Gloster, deputy national cyber director for technology and ecosystem security; Seeyew Mo, assistant national cyber director for workforce, education, and awareness; Jason Barke deputy associate director for strategic workforce planning at the Office of Personnel Management; Kristy Daphnis, senior executive in the Office of Performance and Personnel Management at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB); and RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, senior director of FDD’s Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation and CSC 2.0 executive director. The panel will be moderated by Natalie Alms, staff reporter at Nextgov/FCW.

WHO ARE THE KURDS, AND HOW DO THEY FIT INTO THE MIDDLE EAST PUZZLE?

HEADLINE 1: The U.S. Air Force conducted a joint exercise with the Israeli Air Force on Tuesday.

HEADLINE 2: Clashes broke out in Syria between Assad loyalists and the new government’s security forces.

HEADLINE 3: The Trump administration is getting creative with its maximum pressure campaign.

BONUS HEADLINE 4: Syria’s foreign minister made a historic visit to the headquarters of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, or the OPCW.

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FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Giran Ozcan, who serves as the executive director of the Kurdish Peace Institute.

Learn more at: https://fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

FDD Senior Vice President Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Kylie Moore-Gilbert, Australian-British author and academic, who was imprisoned for more than 800 days by the brutal Iranian regime.

Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

After twenty years of dominating Turkish politics, Recep Tayyip Erdogan faces an electoral challenge to his hold on power. Turkish law requires Erdogan to hold presidential and parliamentary elections no later than June of this year. Until recently, polls put Erdogan slightly behind his potential challengers. Economic conditions are dire. Complicating matters further, devastating earthquakes last month killed tens of thousands and displaced millions, resulting in public outrage over the government’s politicized response that prioritized limiting the damage to Erdogan’s reputation rather than saving lives.

FDD’s panel discussion explores these issues with Sinan Ciddi as well as Henri Barkey, Cohen professor in international relations at Lehigh University and adjunct senior fellow for Middle East studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, and Merve Tahiroglu, Turkey Program director at the Project on Middle East Democracy, with Nate Schenkkan, senior director of research for Freedom House’s work on countering authoritarianism, moderating.

REVERSING KISSINGER

HEADLINE 1: The Trump administration issued a new round of Iran-related sanctions yesterday.

HEADLINE 2: Hamas popped off a handful of rockets at Israel yesterday.

HEADLINE 3: Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei delivered a speech yesterday to mark the start of the Iranian New Year, Nowruz.

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FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with author Lee Smith, who serves as the media columnist for Tablet Magazine.

Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

TURKEY: AUTHORITARIANS, BAD ACTORS, AND PROTESTS

HEADLINE 1: The U.S. military is beefing up its naval presence in the Middle East.

HEADLINE 2: The debate over the credibility of the Lebanese government is heating up again.

AND HEADLINE 3: Protests are still raging in Turkey following the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor last week – Turkey’s top opposition leader.

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FDD Senior Vice President Jonathan Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis on headlines of the Middle East, followed by a conversation with Steven Cook, the Eni Enrico Mattei Senior Fellow for MENA at the Council on Foreign Relations.

Learn more at: www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

FDD Senior Vice President Jonathan Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis on headlines of the Middle East, followed by a conversation with Boris Zilberman, the director of public policy and strategy at the Christians United for Israel (CUFI) Action Fund and former deputy director of congressional relations at FDD.

Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

FDD Senior Vice President Jonathan Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis on headlines of the Middle East, followed by a conversation with Shabbos Kestenbaum, a graduate student at Harvard and the leading voice behind the antisemitism lawsuit against the university.

Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

STARTUP NATION, ISRAEL AND THE GULF, AND THE ABRAHAM ACCORDS

HEADLINE 1: Secretary of State Marco Rubio was in Israel over the weekend.

HEADLINE 2: On Friday evening, Hezbollah supporters attacked a UN peacekeeping convoy.

HEADLINE 3: The IDF was hard at work in Gaza over the weekend.

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FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Nave Shachar, who serves as the Gulf Cooperation Council and MENA Innovation Diplomacy Director at Startup Nation Central.

Learn more at: https://fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

FDD Senior Vice President Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Kasim Hafeez, Deputy Director of Communications at Christians United for Israel (CUFI).

Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Oded Ailam, former head of the Terrorism Division at Mossad.

Learn more at: https://fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Ed Husain, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and a professor at Georgetown University.

Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

Authoritarian regimes, cybercriminals, and state-backed hackers prey on American individuals and businesses to sow chaos, reap financial gain, and carry out ideological agendas. Three years ago, the congressionally mandated Cyberspace Solarium Commission (CSC) offered a new strategic approach to combat these threats and defend U.S. national security and economic interests in cyberspace

The Commission’s groundbreaking report and white papers provided more than 116 concrete recommendations to reform U.S. government structures, strengthen norms, promote national resilience, operationalize public-private collaboration, and preserve military instruments of national power. Congress and the White House have adopted many of these recommendations, but cyber threats continue to evolve. How effective is public-private collaboration today? Is the U.S. government effectively organized to defend our national security in cyberspace? What more should the federal government be doing to promote national resilience?

FDD and CSC 2.0 host a conversation with Commission Co-Chairs Sen. Angus King (I-ME) and Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI), former National Cyber Director Chris Inglis, and former Executive Director RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, who leads CSC 2.0 and serves as senior director of FDD’s Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation (CCTI). The conversation will be moderated by Maggie Miller, a cybersecurity reporter for Politico. The event will coincide with the release of the third annual assessment report, evaluating the implementation of the Commission’s recommendations.

Ukraine’s effective cyber resilience – withstanding thousands of Russian attacks – is thanks in part to years-long cyber defense capacity building programs backed by both the U.S. government and industry. Washington’s robust efforts – if somewhat ad-hoc – help partners build cyber resilience, mature their law enforcement tools and techniques, improve information sharing, train cyber workforces, and deploy more secure and resilient information and communications technology networks. As attacks by criminal and state-backed hackers on America and its allies grow, is Washington organized and resourced to meet the needs of tomorrow? How can the U.S. government better organize to help partners improve their cyber resilience? Why is partner capacity building important for U.S. national security?

To answer these questions and discuss how to enhance partner capacity building, FDD hosts a conversation with the inaugural U.S. Ambassador at Large for Cyberspace and Digital Policy Nathaniel C. Fick; RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, senior director of FDD’s Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation (CCTI); and Annie Fixler, director of CCTI and research fellow at FDD. The discussion is moderated by John Sakellariadis, cybersecurity reporter at Politico.

FDD Senior Vice President Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis on the war in the Middle East, followed by a conversation with Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL), a combat-decorated Green Beret and former White House and Pentagon policy advisor. He serves on the Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, and Intelligence Committees.

Learn more at: www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

Senior Director of FDD's Israel Program Enia Krivine delivers timely situational updates and analysis on Israel and the Middle East, followed by a conversation with Amit Segal, chief political correspondent and commentator for Channel 12 News, Israel's most popular and influential news outlet, and for Yediot Achronot, the country’s best selling newspaper. He joins from outside the Knesset to discuss the political landscape in Israel six months into the war against Hamas and Iran.

Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

FDD Senior Vice President Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis on headlines of the Middle East, followed by a conversation with Eli Lake, national security reporter at Bari Weiss' The Free Press, whose work has been closely covering the developments in the Middle East since 10/7 and Israel's war to dismantle Hamas.

Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

The Northern Marianas is part of the United States but exists in a strategic environment unlike anywhere else in America. Sharing a maritime boundary with Japan, the Northern Marianas hosted a strategic air base for America’s operations in World War II. Today, as the same base in Tinian is under redevelopment for use by the U.S. Air Force, a Chinese-linked casino recently opened nearby. Unlike anywhere else in America, tourists from China can enter the Northern Mariana Islands through the CNMI-only visa waiver program that has made the U.S. more vulnerable to malicious, CCP-led activities. This is in addition to the large investments that have flowed through the islands’ financial system with little national security oversight. The frontline between the People’s Republic of China’s influence operations and America’s strategic positioning are at a significant crossroads. The ongoing bipartisan Congressional failure to approve the renewal of key components of the Compacts of Free Association leaves the future of U.S. defense architecture in the Central Pacific hanging in the balance and risks further isolating the Northern Marianas and neighboring Guam.

Join FDD for a conversation with Northern Marianas Governor Arnold Palacios; the Hon. Randall G. Schriver, former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs and current Chairman of the Board at The Project 2049 Institute; and FDD Senior Fellow Cleo Paskal. The conversation will be moderated by Craig Singleton, FDD China Program Director and Senior Fellow.

FDD Senior Vice President Jonathan Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis on headlines of the Middle East, followed by a conversation with Ilan Berman, Senior Vice President of the American Foreign Policy Council.

Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

The systems that provide safe drinking water and dependable wastewater services are increasingly dependent on networked technology. At the same time, the importance of water and wastewater systems make them prominent targets for both profit-seeking cyber criminals and America’s authoritarian adversaries. Securing the digital systems of tens of thousands of utilities – many of which are small and municipally owned – is difficult and requires robust collaboration among governments, technology service providers, and companies. With other critical infrastructure dependent on water systems for reliable operation, significant investments in cybersecurity technology and processes, both on premises and in the cloud, are overdue.

To grapple with these challenges and discuss solutions, FDD, CSC 2.0, and Microsoft hosts a panel discussion with Tom Fanning, executive chairman of Southern Company; Fred Humphries, corporate vice president of Microsoft; and Dr. Kevin Morley, manager of federal relations for the American Water Works Association. The panel will be moderated by Dr. Samantha Ravich, chair of FDD’s Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation.

The event coincides with the release of a CSC 2.0-Microsoft after action report on the findings and recommendations from a series of roundtable discussions with government officials, policy experts, and practitioners in the water and technology industries.

Read more and watch the conversation here:

https://www.fdd.org/events/2023/12/13/hard-water-increasing-the-cyber-resilience-of-americas-water-supply/

U.S. INVOLVEMENT IN MOUNTING GLOBAL THREATS

HEADLINE 1: Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps unveiled another so-called missile city.

HEADLINE 2: Those Houthi ballistic missile attacks keep on coming.

HEADLINE 3: The U.S. Justice Department filed a lawsuit for the forfeiture of $47 million in proceeds from the sale of Iranian oil.

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FDD Senior Research Analyst Natalie Ecanow provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer and Hudson Institute Adjunct Fellow Garrett Exner who also serves as the executive director of the Public Interest Fellowship.

Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

FDD Senior Fellow and former IDF International Spokesperson Lt. Col. (Ret.) Jonathan Conricus delivers timely situational updates and analysis on the war in the Middle East, followed by a conversation with Ohad Hemo, Arab and Palestinian Affairs Corespondent for Israel's Channel 12 News.

Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Gidi Grinstein, founder and president of Reut Group and Tikkun Olam Makers (TOM).

Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

FDD Senior Vice President Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Anna Borshchevskaya of The Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

FDD Senior Vice President Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, Senior Director of FDD's Center on Cyber and Technological Innovation.

Learn more at: www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

FDD Senior Vice President Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Assaf Orion, the Liz and Mony Rueven International Fellow at The Washington Institute.

Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

The Islamic Republic of Iran has spent the last four decades building a network of armed groups on Israel’s borders to create instability and foment terrorism. Thanks to funding, arms, training, and coordination from Tehran, a mosaic of at least nineteen terrorist organizations in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, and Syria continue to strike at Israel, blunting any hope for calm, let alone peace. What are the tactical and strategic trends exhibited by Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and Hezbollah, and what might a future multi-front conflict entail? What challenges does the beleaguered Palestinian Authority and its security forces in the West Bank face, particularly as Iranian surrogates gain strength? What can Israel, Washington, and allied nations do to counter the Islamic Republic’s proxies and prevent a regional war?

To explore these questions, FDD will host a panel discussion with Lt. Col. (Ret.) Jonathan Conricus, former international spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces and a member of the Israel Defense and Security Forum; Jonathan Schanzer, senior vice president for research at FDD and former terrorism finance analyst at the U.S. Department of the Treasury; and Joe Truzman, research analyst at FDD’s Long War Journal focused on Palestinian militant groups and Hezbollah. The conversation will be moderated by Enia Krivine, senior director of FDD’s Israel Program and National Security Network.

FDD Senior Vice President Jonathan Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis on headlines from the Middle East, followed by a conversation with Yair Zivan, advisor to former Israeli PM and current Leader of the Opposition, Yair Lapid, and editor of the new book "The Center Must Hold."

Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

FDD Senior Vice President Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Avi Issacharoff, Israeli journalist and co-creator of the critically acclaimed television series "Fauda."

Learn more at: www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

FDD Senior Vice President Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with IDF Brig. Gen. (Res.) Jacob Nagel, former head of Israel's National Security Council and former acting National Security Advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

FDD Senior Vice President Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Abdulaziz Alkhamis, Saudi journalist and political commentator, who sheds like on perspectives of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states regarding the Israel-Hamas war, the greater threat posed by the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the prospects for Saudi-Israel normalization.

Learn more at: www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

FDD Senior Vice President Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Kimberly Kagan, Founder and President of the Institute for the Study of War.

Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

In the wake of Hamas’s October 7 terror attacks on Israel, Turkey’s material support for the terrorist organization has come under increased scrutiny by the United States and beyond. Under the rule of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Ankara has offered safe harbor to Hamas leadership, allowing the terror organization to raise and transfer funds, recruit members, and coordinate regional activities. Additionally, emerging evidence indicates that Ankara either ignores or is complicit in militarily supplying the Iran-backed Houthi terrorists who continue to attack commercial and military shipping, including American military personnel. Further afield, Turkey’s role related to Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine is also being rightfully scrutinized. Since October 7, the U.S. Treasury Department has sanctioned a number of entities based in Turkey with many others having been identified as ripe for designation.

FDD host a conversation with Gallia Lindenstrauss, senior research fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies; Michael Rubin, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute; and Tugce Varol, adjunct professor at San Diego City College. The discussion is moderated by Sinan Ciddi, non-resident senior fellow at FDD, with introductory remarks by FDD senior vice president for research, Jonathan Schanzer.

For more information: https://www.fdd.org/events/2024/03/08/turkey-a-sanctuary-for-terrorist-entities-illicit-finance/

FDD Senior Vice President Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Daphné Richemond-Barak, an international law professor at Israel's Reichman University and an expert on tunnel warfare.

Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

Former IDF Spokesperson and FDD Senior Fellow Lt. Col. (Res.) Jonathan Conricus delivers timely situational updates and analysis on headlines of the Middle East, followed by a conversation with journalist and content creator Emily Schrader who has been working on the frontlines of the media battle since 10/7 to expose the disinformation campaign waged against Israel and bring accurate reporting to the public.

Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

The Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) campaign of malign influence across Latin America includes leveraging tools of financial exploitation, expansion of military and intelligence apparatuses, and growing pressure around ports and critical waterways. To this extent, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) poses a threat to the national security of the United States and allies. As Beijing implements a comprehensive campaign in Latin America to advance their interests to the detriment of the region, what is the United States doing to protect Americans and preserve a world order that embraces the freedom of navigation, fair trade, and the protection of the intelligence and national security?

To address the challenges posed by the CCP in the Western Hemisphere, FDD’s China Program hosts a conversation with the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI). Chairman Mike Turner (R-OH) will deliver remarks, followed by a panel discussion moderated by HPSCI member Rep. Rick Crawford (R-AR), who will be joined by Dr. Zoe Liu, Maurice R. Greenberg Fellow for China Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations; Dr. Paul Angelo, Director of the William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies; and FDD Senior Fellow Craig Singleton.

More here:

https://www.fdd.org/events/2023/12/11/beijings-latin-america-exploitation-beyond-the-scif-with-house-permanent-select-committe-on-intelligence/

FDD Senior Vice President Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Hen Mazzig, an Israeli author, activist, and senior fellow at the Tel Aviv Institute.

Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

FDD Senior Vice President Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Hezbollah expert Matthew Levitt of The Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

FDD Senior Vice President Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis on the war in the Middle East, followed by a conversation with Amichai Stein, Israeli journalist and diplomatic correspondent for Channel 11 Kan News.

Learn more at: www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

Breaking news out of the Middle East: Israel has confirmed the elimination of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar. Hamas’s political leader in Gaza since 2017, Yahya Sinwar is considered one of the masterminds behind the October 7, 2023, massacre on Israel.

Sinwar rose through the Hamas ranks as a fierce advocate of violence against Israel, helping establish Hamas’s military, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, and the Majd, an internal security service for the Qassam Brigades.

What does the death of Sinwar mean for Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza? How does it impact the broader war that Iran’s proxies are waging against Israel? What is the reaction within Israel – and within the Arab world? How might Israel, the United States, and our allies capitalize on this strategic shift on the battlefield?

FDD hosts a live SITREP with former IDF International Spokesperson and FDD Senior Fellow Jonathan Conricus and FDD Research Fellow Hussain Abdul-Hussain, moderated by FDD Senior Vice President for Research Jonathan Schanzer.

For more: fdd.org/events/2024/10/17/sinwar-is-dead-now-what-fdd-sitrep/

Watch here: youtube.com/watch?v=Ucb6636vP60

Iran’s nuclear program is escalating, its economy is worsening, and Tehran’s terror-regime ties with other authoritarians are tightening. As a result, the United States has an unparalleled opportunity to operationalize alternative policy options that marry maximum support for the Iranian people with maximum pressure against the Iranian regime.

To advance these ideas, FDD and the National Union for Democracy in Iran (NUFDI) host a symposium featuring a keynote address by Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) followed by an exclusive fireside chat with HIH Reza Pahlavi, crown prince of Iran, and Cliff May, FDD founder and president. An expert panel featuring Behnam Ben Taleblu, FDD’s Iran Program senior director, and Cameron Khansarinia, NUFDI vice president, will unpack the current state of play with Iran and how maximum support can be paired with maximum pressure; Negar Mojtahedi, Iran International correspondent, will moderate.

For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/events/2025/04/07/maximum-support-operationalizing-the-other-iran-policy/

EXPOSING TWO-FACED QATAR

HEADLINE 1: The U.S. Treasury Department issued another round of Iran sanctions.

HEADLINE 2: The Trump administration handed Syria’s new rulers a list of conditions they must meet to finally see some of those sanctions lifted.

HEADLINE 3: Anti-Hamas protests erupted in Gaza yesterday.

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FDD Senior Research Analyst Natalie Ecanow provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer and John Mirisch, who formerly served as the mayor of Beverly Hills. 

Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

FDD Senior Vice President Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Bradley Bowman, Senior Director of FDD's Center on Military and Political Power. They discuss beleaguered democracies - including Israel and Ukraine - and the defense strategies, policies, and capabilities necessary to deter and defeat threats to the freedom, security, and prosperity of Americans and our allies

Learn more at: www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Dr. Kenneth Stein, founding president of the Atlanta-based Center for Israel Education and former director of the Institute for the Study of Modern Israel at Emory University.

Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

The current economic “moment” is seeing a generational re-ordering of global trade, alliances, and capital. The Trump Administration is unleashing an unprecedented and muscular use of economic power, with tariffs on historical allies and adversaries alike, ramped up sanctions on Iran and Venezuela, new investment incentives and reviews, and willingness to endure economic pain to remake the global order. The framework and objectives for this new use of economic power, however, continue to evolve.

What tools are available for advancing America’s strategic interests and what doctrinal guardrails should govern their use? How can the U.S. and partners limit emerging geoeconomic risks? What new models of economic integration, trade, investment, and development should we be pursuing? Which pathways are available to counteract adversarial challenges, and what strategic alignments are required among allies to sustain U.S. and global prosperity? As questions abound, the United States and its partners face choices about how to safeguard domestic interests while fostering global economic resilience and security.

To examine these questions and more, FDD hosts an on-the-record expert panel including Brian Hook, vice chairman of Cerberus Global Investments; and Elaine Dezenski, senior director and head of FDD’s Center on Economic and Financial Power (CEFP). Juan C. Zarate, chairman and co-founder of FDD’s CEFP, will moderate the discussion.

For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/events/2025/04/21/the-trajectory-of-us-economic-statecraft/

FDD Senior Vice President Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis on Israel, Hamas, Hezbollah, and the war in the Middle East, followed by a conversation with Haviv Rettig Gur, senior analyst at the Times of Israel.

Learn more at: www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

To counter a well-funded, Iran-backed “axis of resistance” seeking its destruction, Israel has spent more than a decade waging a “campaign between wars” — an unconventional multi-front campaign against Iran and its proxies that entails air, naval, cyber, sabotage, and psychological operations. Sometimes in cooperation with the United States, Israel has struck a wide array of targets inside Iran, penetrating Tehran’s defenses almost at will. These achievements have left a deep impression on governments in the region with some Arab countries having elected to de-prioritize historical animosities with Israel and normalize relations as mutual concerns about Iran loom large. In the wake of the recent attacks by Tehran-sponsored terrorists, leading to over 1,400 Israeli deaths, Israel’s intelligence apparatus is under study and scrutiny now more than ever. How did Hamas plan and execute an attack at such large scale under the nose of Israeli intelligence, and what lessons can be learned when thwarting Iranian nuclear ambitions?

Jerusalem Post senior military correspondent, Yonah Jeremy Bob recently co-authored a new book, Target Tehran, which surveys, exposes, and analyzes Israel’s 20-year clandestine war against Iran’s nuclear program. Yonah has recently been on the ground in Israel on both the southern and northern fronts meeting with top political and military decisionmakers. To discuss the new book and the trajectory of Israel’s military and intelligence campaign to counter Iran, FDD hosts a conversation with Eyal Hulata, FDD senior international fellow and former Israeli National Security Advisor and NSC head, and Jonathan Schanzer, FDD senior vice president for research. The discussion will be moderated by Senior Director of FDD’s Israel Program and National Security Network Enia Krivine. FDD Senior Fellow and Director of Research David Adesnik will provide opening remarks.

FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with British-Israeli analyst, writer, and journalist Jonathan Spyer, who serves as the director of research at the Middle East Forum.

Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

FDD Senior Vice President Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with General (Ret.) Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr., former Commander of United States Central Command.

Learn more at: www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Professor Eyal Zisser, Middle East expert and Vice Rector of Tel Aviv University.

Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

THE SHIFTING DYNAMICS OF THE MIDDLE EAST: A SPECIAL SITREP EPISODE

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FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer is joined by former IDF International Spokesperson Jonathan Conricus and U.S. Middle East policy expert John Hannah for a special edition of the FDD Morning Brief. The two will provide Middle East situational updates and analyze the U.S. response to them as the region undergoes tumultuous shifts. 

Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

FDD Senior Vice President Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis on headlines of the Middle East, followed by a conversation with The Honorable Elliott Abrams, Former U.S. Special Representative for Iran and Venezuela and Former Deputy National Security Advisor.

Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is a critical U.S. ally. It is one of three countries (along with Palau and Marshall Islands) that have signed Compacts of Free Association (COFAs) with the U.S. giving the U.S. extensive defense access, second only to what the U.S. has in the homeland. The COFAs forms the backbone of U.S. security architecture in the Central Pacific and facilitates U.S. freedom of deployment from Hawaii to the Philippines. FSM citizens can also live and work in the U.S. and serve in the U.S. military at high rates.

Given its geographical location and its importance to the U.S., the FSM is the target of unrelenting People’s Republic of China (PRC) political warfare and grey zone operations, with the goal of pulling the FSM away from the U.S. and into Beijing's orbit. For example, currently key components of the Compacts are awaiting renewal by Congress, giving an opening for PRC influence campaigns to foster uncertainty about U.S. commitment to the region.

Between 2022 and early 2023, then president of FSM, David W. Panuelo, wrote three letters describing in unprecedented detail for a head of state Chinese activity in his country and in the Pacific Islands area. He warned that not only were PRC activities corrupting the FSM and undermining democracy, they were an intrinsic part of Beijing Taiwan contingency planning.

To update on the situation in FSM since he left government, FDD’s China Program is pleased to host former President of Micronesia David W. Panuelo for a discussion with FDD Non-Resident Senior Fellow Cleo Paskal. The conversation will be moderated by FDD Senior Fellow Craig Singleton with remarks by FDD Adjunct Fellow Richard Clark.

FDD Senior Vice President Jonathan Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis on headlines from the Middle East, followed by a conversation with Danielle Pletka, Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.

Learn more at: www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

The head of the UN nuclear watchdog agency Rafael Grossi recently warned, “There’s loose talk about nuclear weapons more and more, including in Iran recently. A very high official said, in fact, we have everything, it’s disassembled. Well, please let me know what you have.” The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors meeting, which takes place in Vienna from March 4 to 8, provides an opportunity for Washington to lead an effort to reverse Tehran’s nuclear advances, which have made historic gains in scale and scope since November 2020.

FDD hosts David Albright, physicist and founder and president of the Institute for Science and International Security; Richard Goldberg, former National Security Council director for combatting Iranian Weapons of Mass Destruction and FDD senior advisor; and Andrea Stricker, FDD research fellow and deputy director of FDD’s Nonproliferation and Biodefense Program. The conversation is moderated by Anthony Ruggiero, former National Security Council senior director for counterproliferation and biodefense and senior director of FDD’s Nonproliferation and Biodefense Program. FDD Chief Executive, Mark Dubowitz, delivers introductory remarks.

The panel reviews the current status of Iran's nuclear program, including its timeline to nuclear weapons and weaponization capabilities, discuss ways in which Tehran could use the conflict in the Middle East to sprint to nuclear weapons, evaluate U.S. and European responses to Iran’s nuclear escalation, and provide policy recommendations for Washington and allies in Europe and beyond.

Check out more here: https://www.fdd.org/events/2024/02/27/irans-nuclear-weapons-program-previewing-the-march-4-8-iaea-board-meeting/

FDD Senior Vice President Jonathan Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis on headlines of the Middle East, followed by a conversation with David Adesnik, Senior Fellow and Director of Research at FDD.

Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

FDD Senior Vice President Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Republican Congressman Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin's 8th District.

FDD Senior Vice President Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Dalia Ziada, Egyptian author, activist, and Executive Director at the MEEM Center for Middle East & Eastern Mediterranean Studies.

FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Bonnie Glick, FDD adjunct senior fellow and former deputy administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

Most Americans now recognize the serious threat the People’s Republic of China (PRC) poses to the United States. But many may not be aware of the comprehensive campaign Beijing is implementing in Latin America to advance the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) interests, undermine the United States, and put our homeland at risk.

What is China doing in our hemisphere? Why does it matter? How is the United States responding? And what more can be done?

FDD’s Center on Military and Political Power (CMPP) hosts a conversation with Commander of U.S. Southern Command General Laura J. Richardson. As the Commander of SOUTHCOM, she is responsible for U.S. contingency planning, operations, and security cooperation in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. The conversation will be moderated by CMPP Senior Director Bradley Bowman.

The Islamic Republic of Iran’s proxy strategy to build a network of armed groups on Israel’s borders to create instability and foment terrorism is on full display in the region. While the fight against Hamas to the south of Israel grinds on, a war on Israel’s northern border looms. Were Israel not preoccupied in Gaza, the Iran-backed aggression from the north would almost certainly have already been met with a swift and powerful response. Equipped with decades of Iranian funding, arms, training, and coordination, is this the next warfront to break out on Israel’s borders? What challenges is Israel facing as it settles into what seems to be a long-haul war that may only be just starting to heat up? What would a war with Hezbollah mean for Israel and its defense capabilities? How would a multi-front war impact Washington and our allied nations’ involvement in the war?

To explore these questions, FDD will host a panel discussion with Lt. Col. (Ret.) Jonathan Conricus, former international spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces and FDD Senior Fellow; Eyal Hulata, former Israeli National Security Advisor and FDD Senior International Fellow; and Enia Krivine, Senior Director of FDD’s Israel Program and National Security Network. The conversation will be moderated by Anna Schecter, Senior Producer in the NBC News Investigations Unit.

FDD Senior Vice President Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with John Spencer, Chair of Urban Warfare Studies at the Modern War Institute at West Point, to discuss Hamas's tunnel networks in Gaza.

Learn more at: www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

On Saturday, October 7, 2023, Israelis awoke to a multi-front, Iran-backed attack on Israel’s southern border today. Dozens of Hamas terrorists infiltrated the border and invaded Israeli towns, going door to door killing Israelis and taking hostages back into Gaza to be held as bargaining chips. Simultaneously, terrorists fired thousands of rockets at Israel with Hamas claiming 5,000 rockets launched. Several hours into the attack, residents of southern Israel were still barricaded in their homes waiting for IDF reinforcements.

FDD experts joined an exclusive on-the-record media event to provide their latest analysis. The conversation featured FDD Chief Executive Mark Dubowitz, Senior Vice President Jonathan Schanzer, Senior Director of FDD’s Center on Military and Political Power Bradley Bowman, and FDD’s Long War Journal Analyst Joe Truzman. The conversation was moderated by FDD Vice President of Communications Elizabeth Robbins.

FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Andrew Tabler, senior fellow at The Washington Institute.

Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

MORAL COURAGE IN THE WAKE OF OCTOBER 7

HEADLINE 1: Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani arrived in Moscow yesterday for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

HEADLINE 2: Hamas is on the verge of bankruptcy.

HEADLINE 3: The U.S. Treasury sanctioned the International Bank of Yemen.

HEADLINE 4: Lebanese forces detained multiple people who fired rockets into Israel last month.

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FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with actress and producer Debra Messing, who has used her platform to stand with Israel and against antisemitism in the wake of October 7, 2023.

Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

Former IDF International Spokesperson and FDD Senior Fellow Lt. Col. (Ret.) Jonathan Conricus delivers timely situational updates and analysis on headlines out of the Middle East, followed by a conversation with Rageh Omaar, ITV News' International Affairs Analyst.

Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

FDD Senior Vice President Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Brian Katulis of the Middle East Institute (MEI).

Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

The People’s Republic of China is undertaking a massive military buildup and wielding its growing might more aggressively, including in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea. At the same time, Beijing is deepening its security cooperation with Moscow and Tehran. To deter aggression in regions that are vital to American interests, Washington needs capable forward-positioned military forces. It also needs defense partners with cutting edge capabilities that can operate effectively alongside American forces and help carry the security burden. Thankfully, the United States already enjoys an impressive network of allies and partners — but growing threats require Washington to redouble efforts to build partner capacity and deepen their integration with U.S. forces. That’s easier said than done, requiring hard work on basing agreements, defense trade, contingency planning, and military exercises.

FDD’s Center on Military and Political Power (CMPP) hosts a conversation with Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Jessica Lewis on the Biden administration’s ongoing security cooperation efforts in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. Drawing on Assistant Secretary Lewis’s recent visit to the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, the conversation – moderated by CMPP Senior Director Bradley Bowman – will discuss priorities, opportunities, and challenges going forward.

SANCTIONS, TARIFFS, AND MORE

HEADLINE 1: Turkish Intelligence Chief Ibrahim Kalin met with Hamas leaders over the weekend. 

HEADLINE 2: The U.S. and Iran held a second round of nuclear talks in Rome.

HEADLINE 3: Hamas launched a deadly attack against Israeli troops in northern Gaza.

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FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Juan Zarate, former deputy national security advisor for combating terrorism under George W. Bush and chairman and co-founder of FDD's Center on Economic and Financial Power.

Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

One of the most significant features of the geopolitical landscape is an increasingly formidable emerging axis of China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. The members of this “axis of aggressors” are united in their determination to undermine the United States and counter its core interests. Though their methods may vary, these adversaries share a desire to sow chaos, erode the rule of law, and weaken the United States and its allies.

From Putin’s 2022 re-invasion of Ukraine — which instigated the largest war in Europe since World War II — to the Iran-backed October 7th massacre which sparked an ongoing multi-front war against Israel, and China’s growing threats to Taiwan, America’s adversaries are emboldened. The United States must work together with its unparalleled network of allies and partners to respond more effectively.

To discuss the situations in Middle East, the Pacific, and Ukraine, as well as the path forward, FDD’s Center on Military and Political Power (CMPP) hosts CMPP Chairman LTG (Ret.) H.R. McMaster, a 34-year-veteran of the U.S. Army and a former U.S. National Security Advisor, in conversation with CMPP Senior Director Bradley Bowman.

For more, check out: fdd.org/events/2024/09/26/axis-of-aggressors-hr-mcmaster-on-defending-americas-interests/