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
The Pillars of Iran’s Regime Are Damaged, Not Destroyed
The Wall Street Journal
Iraqi military bases targeted in overnight strikes
FDD's Long War Journal
Iran
The Pillars of Iran’s Regime Are Damaged, Not Destroyed
The Wall Street Journal
Trump, in shift, says he’ll let China continue to purchase oil from Iran
Jewish Insider
April 22, 2025
12:00 pm
EVENT: FDD's Air and Missile Defense Program Launch
To help protect the United States and its allies from the rising threat of missile and drone attacks, FDD is excited to inaugurate its new Air and Missile Defense Program, housed within the Center on Military and Political Power (CMPP).
Featured Experts
Mark Dubowitz
Chief Executive
- Iran Sanctions
- Iran Human Rights
- Syria
- Iran Missiles
- Iran
- Iran Global Threat Network
- Hezbollah
- Iran-backed Terrorism
- Sanctions and Illicit Finance
- Cyber
- Iran Nuclear
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
Bradley Bowman
CMPP Senior Director
RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery
CCTI Senior Director and Senior 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: June 24, 2025
Read Full BriefToday In Issues:
FDD Research & Analysis
- "Assessing the U.S. Strikes on Iranian Nuclear Facilities," The Iran Breakdown
- "Can Iran Strike Back Effectively?" The Wall Street Journal
- "NATO’s Critical 1.5 Percent," The Cipher Brief
- "U.S. Strikes Nuclear Sites, Iran Retaliates With Ballistic Missiles," FDD Policy Brief
- "Location of Iran’s Highly Enriched Uranium Uncertain — but It Likely Cannot Build Nuclear Weapons Now," FDD Policy Brief
- "Israel sees increasing success against Iranian drones, drone and missile attacks continue," FDD's Long War Journal
- "Iran launches missile attack on US base in Qatar," FDD's Long War Journal
- "Israeli operations in Lebanon against Hezbollah: June 16–22, 2025," FDD's Long War Journal
- "Israel eliminates a key link between Hamas and Iran," FDD's Long War Journal
- "How might Iran retaliate against the US?" FDD's Long War Journal
- "Houthis repeat threats against US over strikes against Iran," FDD's Long War Journal
- "Iranian drone and missile attacks against Israel: June 22, 2025," FDD's Long War Journal
- "Israel targets IRGC officials, nuclear scientist, and missile bases in Iran (June 22–21 updates)," FDD's Long War Journal
- "Extensive IDF Strikes Target Iranian Regime Sites, Evin Prison, Fordow Entrances," FDD Flash Brief
- "Iran Executes Alleged Israeli Spy as Regime’s Internet Blackout Persists," FDD Flash Brief
- "Iran Launches Missiles at U.S Airbase in Qatar in Retaliation for Weekend Strike on Nuclear Facilities," FDD Flash Brief
The Must-Reads
- Israel says Iran violates ceasefire announced by Trump, orders new strikes
- E.U.-Israeli ties are further strained by claims of potential rights violations
- Israeli warning call to top Iranian general: ‘You have 12 hours to escape’
- Succession plans for Iran's Khamenei hit top gear
- Iranian parliament committee approves general plan to suspend cooperation with IAEA, news agency reports
- WSJ Editorial: Trump and the ‘12-Day War’
- Qatar intervened to persuade Iran to accept cease-fire deal, diplomats say
- A weakened Tehran lashes out performatively against US airbases to save face
- Canada and E.U. pull together as America pushes them away
- UK to ban campaign group Palestine Action under anti-terrorism laws
- Trump’s Iran attack spurs concerns of retaliation in the U.S.
- Hudson Institute’s Zineb Riboua: How the U.S. attack on Iran hurts Russia and China