FDD is a Washington, DC-based nonpartisan research institute focusing on national security and foreign policy.
FDD does not accept donations from any foreign governments.
Subscribe to FDD
Receive FDD's latest research and analysis
Trending Issues
Iran
Axis of Aggressors: countering cooperation between China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea
The Vandenberg Coalition
The Mecca Pact Won’t Deter Yemen’s Houthis
Policy Brief
China
Axis of Aggressors: countering cooperation between China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea
The Vandenberg Coalition
Europe’s Hardening Stance Against China Is Washington’s Opportunity
Policy Brief
October 1, 2026
2:00 pm
EVENT: Winning the Adoption War: Diffusing AI Across the U.S. Military
The United States leads the world in frontier artificial intelligence. However, cutting edge technology used by a limited number of people is a trophy, not a capability – and the contest with China will not be decided only at the frontier.
If the most sophisticated technology on earth reaches only a fraction of the force, how much advantage does it confer? How is the Pentagon moving from procuring AI to diffusing it across the force? What cultural and organizational changes does an “AI-first” military require? And how does the United States build and keep the technical talent inside government, turning tools into outcomes before its competitors close the gap?
To discuss these questions and others, the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) hosts a conversation with FDD Visiting Military Fellow Major Megan “Napalm” Hainline, F-16 instructor pilot and AI leader; FDD Adjunct Fellow Isaac “Ike” Harris, executive director of the Frontier Security Institute; and Leah Siskind, FDD AI Research Fellow. The discussion will be moderated by RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, Senior Director of FDD’s Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation.
Featured Experts
Clifford D. May
Founder & President
- Iran
- Iran Global Threat Network
- Jihadism
- The Long War
- Palestinian Politics
- North Korea
- Russia
- Sanctions and Illicit Finance
- International Organizations
Bradley Bowman
CMPP Senior Director
Andrea Stricker
Nonproliferation Program Deputy Director and Research Fellow
John Hardie
Russia Program Deputy Director
What they're saying
"Mr. Dubowitz’s campaign to draw attention to what he saw as the Iran nuclear deal's flaws has taken its place among the most consequential ever undertaken by a Washington think tank leader."
New York Times
“The Foundation for Defense of Democracies understands as well as anyone that we are now in an era, once again, of Great Power Competition, primarily with the Chinese Communist Party.”
Marco Rubio
U.S. Secretary of State and Acting National Security Advisor
"I would like to express my appreciation to the FDD for its long-term focus on Taiwan and for continuing to increase the attention paid to Taiwan’s defense and social resilience."
Lai Ching-te
President of Taiwan
“FDD is highly influential in the area of public policy … I would like to thank FDD for publishing numerous articles advocating for international support of Taiwan.”
Tsai Ing-wen
Former President of Taiwan
“Thank you for all of FDD’s work… it is so critical to our fight in the United States against terror and against those who seek to do us harm” … “[FDD has always] held Iran accountable for their continued nuclear activity and for their continued terror activity….which is key to America’s national security and our fight globally against terror, against Iran and its proxies, and against Hezbollah and Hamas and Palestinian Jihad.”
Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ)
“What FDD puts out [in] the national and international conversation, … you really are … a repository of knowledge on so many critical issues.”
Mike Waltz
"Thank you to FDD…for the many, many years of great work that you’ve done. I've known the organization and relied on its expertise long before this conversation today."
Jessica Lewis
Former Assistant Secretary for Political-Military Affairs, U.S. Department of State
"I will tell you that FDD has been such a partner. Whether it is dealing with the Iran deal and the flaws that were in it, all the way to human shields and all the things that we need to do to combat it, you've been a partner in a time where we need partners. And so I appreciate that very much."
Amb. Nikki R. Haley
Former US Ambassador to the United Nations
“Nobody makes the case better than FDD that the Islamic Republic is a threat to the region, its own people and the U.S., and that it needs to be dealt with, not wished away.”
Wall Street Journal
Weekend Interview
“I would add my own thanks to the FDD and the Center on Military and Political Power for … showing how important it is that we are talking, both on the military and the civilian side, about the importance of being prepared to protect and advance our national security objectives. That's exactly the kind of conversations that we're seeking to help our European allies and partners have with their citizenry. Thank you.”
Amb. Kate Marie Byrnes
Civilian Deputy and Foreign Policy Advisor, U.S. European Command
"A record low for the reach of petrodollars: CIA & FDD fake news w/ selective AlQaeda docs re: Iran can't whitewash role of US allies in 9/11"
Javad Zarif
Iran's Former Foreign Minister
FDD's Long War Journal [is] the best source of public information on terrorism.
Michael Morell
former Acting and Deputy Director, Central Intelligence Agency
“The Foundation is making a difference across the world.”
George W. Bush
Former President
Overnight Brief: October 7, 2026
Read Full BriefToday In Issues:
FDD Research & Analysis
- Today at 8:30am (ET): "FDD Morning Brief," FDD Event
- "Inside The Cauldron: Iran, America, Israel, and the End of Khomeinism," FDD's The Iran Breakdown
- "Congress wrote this rule for radio. Write it again for social media platforms," Washington Examiner
- "Britain’s Greens and the Jews: Belonging on Condition (Translated from French)," Atlantico
- "Treasury Launches Assault on Russian Shadow Banking Infrastructure Supporting Iran," FDD Policy Brief
- "Treasury Sanctioned a Hamas Crowdfunding Network. Its French Front Should Be Next." FDD Policy Brief
- "Yemeni government forces launch Saudi-backed counteroffensive against Houthis," FDD's Long War Journal
- "US flag trampling, militia disarmament dispute mark Iraq’s post-US withdrawal era," FDD's Long War Journal
- "Pakistan launches new strikes as conflict with Taliban persist into third week," FDD's Long War Journal
The Must-Reads
- Israelis mark three years since Hamas attack that set off Gaza assault
- NYT’s Bret Stephens: There’s another cockpit Israelis need to rush
- WINEP’s Neomi Neumann: One year after the Gaza ceasefire (Part 2): How Hamas has kept its grip on governance
- ‘Preparing to Fire’: Hear the radio commands enforcing the U.S. blockade of Iran
- Vance says Iran must cut enrichment to end war
- WSJ Editorial: Iranians on the loose in Britain
- ISIS’s David Albright, Sarah Burkhard, Spencer Faragasso, and the Good ISIS Team: Significant activity identified at Minzadayi, an Iranian nuclear weapons development site
- U.S. escalates pressure on Russia over Siberia lab death
- WINEP’s Richard Nephew and Soner Cagaptay: Will Turkey align with Washington’s Iran “economic outcast” policy?
- Yemen’s Houthi rebels strike two airports in Saudi Arabia
- North Korea criticises US support for Taiwan, pledges backing for Russia
- U.S. looks to Iceland as it expands military footprint in Arctic