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
Syria
Turkey Threatens New Military Offensive in Northern Syria
Policy Brief
Blinken Affirms Softening of U.S. Policy Toward Assad Regime
Policy Brief
Afghanistan
The National Defense Strategy America Needs
Event
After 9/11, China grew into a superpower as a distracted U.S. fixated on terrorism, experts say
NBC News
October 8, 2021
EVENT: Filling the Void in Afghanistan: How Pakistan, Qatar, and Turkey Benefit from U.S. Retreat
FDD's Center on Military and Political Power (CMPP) and Turkey Program host a conversation with Aykan Erdemir, senior director of FDD's Turkey Program; Farahnaz Ispahani, senior fellow at the Religious Freedom Institute and public policy fellow at the Wilson Center; and Varsha Koduvayur, analyst at Valens Global. Filling the Void in Afghanistan is moderated by Maseh Zarif, director of congressional relations at FDD Action, with an introduction by Jonathan Schanzer, senior vice president for research at FDD.
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
Samantha Ravich
CCTI Chairman
- Cyber
- Sanctions and Illicit Finance
- North Korea
- Blockchain and Digital Currencies
- Military and Political Power
Aykan Erdemir
Turkey Program Senior Director
- Turkey
- Kurds
Saeed Ghasseminejad
Senior Iran and Financial Economics Advisor
- Iran
- Iran Human Rights
- Iran Politics and Economy
What they're saying
"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.
Commander, U.S. Central Command
"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
"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. Michael 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: October 18, 2021
Read Full BriefToday In Issues:
FDD Research & Analysis
- “Israel’s Shield in the Sky,” FDD’s Foreign Podicy
- "US rejoining UN Human Rights Council; what it should do first," The Hill
- “Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen Stands Up to Xi Jinping,” The Dispatch
- “Does Big Tech Have an Anti-Semitism Problem?” Newsweek
The Must-Reads
- Nuclear talks in Brussels to resume on Thursday, Iran lawmaker says
- JINSA’s John Hannah: Israel needs weapons to stop Iran’s bomb
- WINEP’s Simon Henderson: While Washington argues, Iran makes nuclear advances
- Islamic State bombing kills at least 65 people in southern Afghanistan
- Shooting in Syria could mark new phase in Israeli campaign
- JPost’s Seth J. Frantzman: Will Turkey destabilize northern Syria again?
- ISW’s Jennifer Cafarella and New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy’s Caroline Rose: America lost Afghanistan: Is Iraq next?
- After Beirut blast and worst clashes in years, fears grow for fate of Lebanon’s capital
- Nato to expand focus to counter rising China
- Venezuela suspends talks with opposition after Maduro ally extradited to the United States