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
Russia
No, the West Should Not Appease Erdogan
Overlooking the severity of Erdogan’s acts of governance in order to find a way to work with Turkey fundamentally undermines the objectives the West is seeking to achieve and uphold.
The National Interest
The IAEA Needs Access to Ukraine’s Nuclear Power Plant. Biden Can Help.
Since Russia seized the plant in March, the safety and security of the plant have been in jeopardy.
The Dispatch
Iran Nuclear
Exploiting America’s Declining Pressure: Iran’s Nuclear Escalation Over Time
Visual
CBS Eye on the World with John Batchelor
CBS Audio Network
Military and Political Power
No, the West Should Not Appease Erdogan
Overlooking the severity of Erdogan’s acts of governance in order to find a way to work with Turkey fundamentally undermines the objectives the West is seeking to achieve and uphold.
The National Interest
KCRA News
KCRA 3 News (Sacramento, CA)
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
Jonathan Schanzer
Senior Vice President for Research
- Palestinian Politics
- Iran
- Iran Sanctions
- Iran Global Threat Network
- Hezbollah
- Iran-backed Terrorism
- Turkey
- Jihadism
- Sanctions and Illicit Finance
Samantha Ravich
CCTI Chairman
- Cyber
- Sanctions and Illicit Finance
- North Korea
- Blockchain and Digital Currencies
- Military and Political Power
Bradley Bowman
CMPP Senior 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
"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: July 5, 2022
Read Full BriefToday In Issues:
FDD Research & Analysis
- "The Midway Measures Trap," FDD's Foreign Podicy
- "No, the West Should Not Appease Erdogan," The National Interest
- "Exploiting America’s Declining Pressure: Iran’s Nuclear Escalation Over Time," FDD Visual
The Must-Reads
- Iran says nuclear deal still possible despite lack of progress in Doha talks
- Israeli PM to push France on Iran, warn Hezbollah 'playing with fire'
- AFPC’s Lawrence J. Haas: US is playing risky game with Saudi Arabia and Iran
- JPost’s Seth J. Frantzman: Here's why Iran and Hezbollah use drone attack as bragging rights
- Bloomberg’s Bobby Ghosh: Erdogan missed a big opportunity with NATO
- Israel shoots down Hezbollah drones headed for Mediterranean gas rig
- Judge asks U.S. if Saudi crown prince should be immune from suit
- U.S. wrestles with Russian, Iranian provocations in the Middle East
- JINSA's John Hannah: Will Biden seize his Middle East moment?
- Hudson Institute's Walter Russell Mead: Why America First loves Israel
- North Korea slams US-South Korea-Japan military cooperation
- Labeled a ‘challenge’ by NATO, China signals its own hard-line worldview