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
Israel at War
IDF suffers first casualties since start of new Gaza offensive
FDD's Long War Journal
Lebanese Army Says It Prevented Rocket Attack on Israel
Flash Brief
Iran-backed Terrorism
Who are the Houthis?
Fox News
Lebanese Army Says It Prevented Rocket Attack on Israel
Flash Brief
April 21, 2025
12:00 pm
EVENT: The Trajectory of U.S. Economic Statecraft
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.
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
RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery
CCTI Senior Director and Senior Fellow
Behnam Ben Taleblu
Iran Program Senior Director and Senior Fellow
- Iran
- Iran Sanctions
- Iran Missiles
- Iran Human Rights
- Iran Politics and Economy
- Iran Global Threat Network
- Sanctions and Illicit Finance
Lydia LaFavor
Research Fellow
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
“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
President of Taiwan
"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
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
“What FDD puts out [in] the national and international conversation, … you really are … a repository of knowledge on so many critical issues.”
Rep. Mike Waltz (R-FL)
"I’ve always tried to have a 'bias for action,' and I appreciate how the Center on Military and Political Power isn’t intended to be a group of luminaries sitting around admiring the problem set, but an organization actively working to promote understanding of the strategies, policies, and capabilities we need to maintain our vital national interests. That bias towards action speaks to me – so I appreciate the endeavor that’s underway here."
Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr.
Former Commander, U.S. Central Command
"The output generated today and every day at FDD is invaluable and inexplicably linked to the defense of our nation."
Hon. Ryan D. McCarthy
Acting Secretary, U.S. Army
"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 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
“I think what distinguishes FDD is that you publish not only insightful and thoughtful analysis, but your products are operational and they're actionable, and I can assure you that they're read throughout our government and we look forward to reading more.”
David Peyman
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Counter Threat Finance and Sanctions, U.S. Department of State
“I have long admired the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. I have long felt it’s very important the issues that are raised here, and I have long felt that when we talk about foreign policy, it has to be done on a bipartisan basis and we have to work very closely together across the aisle.”
Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY)
Chairman, House Foreign Affairs Committee
"We rely on a lot of the analysis that FDD does. It's enormously effective at what it does, deeply substantive, passionate about its work, all the sorts of things that you would want in a think tank."
Brian Hook
Special Representative for Iran, U.S. Department of State
“It is the efforts of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies that is dedicated to these issues day in and day out – your work every day makes a real difference in these battles that we wage.”
Rep. Ted Deutch (D-FL)
“I love FDD. … I want to thank FDD for the work it's done over the years on so many critical issues. ... We have drawn heavily on the scholarship and analysis of FDD. … We need organizations like FDD to continue their scholarship on the threats that we face.”
LTG (Ret.) H.R. McMaster
Former National Security Advisor
“I am a proud alumnus of FDD’s National Security Fellows Program. FDD has really distinguished itself as a hub and a place where you really have invested in the next generation of national security leaders, and that's critical.”
Rep. Mike Gallagher
(R-WI-8), 2011 FDD National Security Fellow
"As FDD knows and has exposed very well, Iranian commercial airlines play a critical role in ferrying Qods Force operatives, weapons, equipment, and funds to international locations in furtherance of Iranian state-sponsored terror operations."
Sigal Mandelker
Undersecretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence
“The intelligence community notes what FDD does and deeply appreciates it. Your scholarship shows connections between a whole bunch of nefarious actors out there – proliferators, sanctions-busters, and money-launderers. What it is you’re able to do with open sources complements and reinforces what goes on inside the intelligence community.”
Gen. Michael Hayden
Former Director, Central Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency
“The Foundation is making a difference across the world.”
George W. Bush
Former President
Overnight Brief: April 21, 2025
Read Full BriefToday In Issues:
FDD Research & Analysis
- Today at 8:30am (ET): "FDD Morning Brief," FDD Event
- Live at 12:00pm ET: "The Trajectory of U.S. Economic Statecraft," FDD Event
- Video, audio, and transcript: "Persistent Access, Persistent Threat: Ensuring Military Mobility Against Malicious Cyber Actors," FDD Event
- "Where in the World is Admiral Mark Montgomery?" FDD's Foreign Podicy
- "The Iranian Negotiating Tactic the Trump Administration Doesn’t Get," Politico
- "Erdoğan Sets His Sights on Israel," The Atlantic
- "Yes, step up the pace on Ukraine peace — with fresh consequences if Putin resists," New York Post
- "Trump must clarify what he means when says Iran will never have nuclear weapons," The Jerusalem Post
- "‘Valid for all countries except Israel’," Jewish News Syndicate
- "Georgetown University Awards Medal to Qatari Royal Who Praised October 7 Mastermind," FDD Policy Brief
- "Yemeni Factions Hope to Exploit the Current Chaos in Houthi-Controlled Yemen,' FDD Policy Brief
- "Pro-Iranian Iraqi network releases documents on Ahmad al Sharaa’s identity," FDD's Long War Journal
- "Yemeni forces planning ground offensive against the Houthis," FDD's Long War Journal
- "‘Degrade the Economic Source of Power’: U.S. Strikes Fuel Port Used by Houthi Rebels in Yemen," FDD Flash Brief
- "‘Within a Matter of Days’: Rubio Warns U.S. Could Walk Away From Russia-Ukraine Negotiations," FDD Flash Brief
- "‘We Don’t Have Much Time’: IAEA Chief Issues Warning Ahead of Nuclear Talks Between Iran and United States," FDD Flash Brief
- "U.S. and Iran Hold Second Round of Nuclear Talks in Rome," FDD Flash Brief
- "Lebanese Army Says It Prevented Rocket Attack on Israel," FDD Flash Brief
The Must-Reads
- Israel still eyeing a limited attack on Iran's nuclear facilities
- Israel's Netanyahu says military to increase pressure on Hamas
- JPost Editorial: As Trump's eyes and ears in Israel, Huckabee’s role as ambassador will be vital
- Iran says talks with U.S. to continue after ‘positive’ meeting
- Big gaps in intelligence on Iran’s nuke program threaten push for quick deal
- Kyiv is on the clock to respond to Trump plan to end Ukraine conflict
- Putin’s ‘Easter cease-fire’ doesn’t stop the shooting in Ukraine
- Hezbollah's airport arms smuggler killed in targeted IDF strike
- China warns against trade deal with U.S. at Beijing’s expense
- Sweden has the tanks. Finland has the troops. Welcome to the Pan-Nordic army.
- WSJ Editorial: Trump’s shipping tax goes ahead
- Hegseth faces heat after new signal chat emerges and claim of Pentagon ‘chaos’