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
China
The U.S.-led Global Order and Its Discontents
Foreign Podicy
US and China in ‘frequent, clear and candid’ dialogue on Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen’s visit, American envoy says
South China Morning Post
Iran Nuclear
The John Batchelor Show
Syndicated
Explained: Top US General Says Iran Could Make Nuclear Bomb In Months, What It Means, Why It Bothers US?
Outlook India
March 9, 2023
EVENT: Turkey After Erdogan
FDD's panel discussion explores Turkey's elections issues with FDD Non-Resident Senior Fellow 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.
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
Elaine K. Dezenski
CEFP Senior Director and Head
Anthony Ruggiero
Nonproliferation and Biodefense Program Senior Director and Senior Fellow
Behnam Ben Taleblu
Senior Fellow
- Iran
- Iran Sanctions
- Iran Missiles
- Iran Human Rights
- Iran Politics and Economy
- Iran Global Threat Network
- Sanctions and Illicit Finance
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
"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
"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: March 31, 2023
Read Full BriefToday In Issues:
FDD Research & Analysis
The Must-Reads
- Top UN court rejects Iranian bid to free assets frozen by US
- WINEP’s Henry Rome: Inside Iran’s regime (Part 3): IRGC economic frustrations
- AEI’s Michael Rubin: The Caribbean and Pacific are weak links in counterterrorism against Iran
- White House condemns Russia’s detention of Wall Street Journal reporter
- Russia says notifications of ballistic missile launches will continue
- WaPo’s Editorial: How Putin could finally face justice for his illegal war in Ukraine
- JPost’s Editorial: Israel needs a steady hand overseeing its defense
- 6 U.S. service members suffered traumatic brain injuries in Syria attacks
- North Korean executions and torture alleged in new report
- China and Taiwan relations explained: What’s behind the divide
- China wants to be at center of new world order, top EU official says
- Center for Strategic and International Studies’ Seth G. Jones: America’s looming munitions crisis