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Trending Issues
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
Andrea Stricker
Nonproliferation and Biodefense Program Deputy Director and Research Fellow
Janatan Sayeh
Research Analyst
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
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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
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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 17, 2025
Read Full BriefToday In Issues:
FDD Research & Analysis
- "Israel cannot settle for a temporary military win, it must topple the Islamic regime," The Jerusalem Post
- "Iraq in the Crossfire," The National Interest
- "U.S. Forces in the Middle East: Under Attack and Defending Israel," FDD Policy Brief
- "China Sides With Tehran but Wields Little Influence in Iran-Israel War," FDD Policy Brief
- "Europe Hesitates To Condemn Iran, While U.S. Stands by Israel," FDD Policy Brief
- "U.S. Should Not Mistake Oman for a Neutral Mediator," FDD Policy Brief
- "Iraqi militias largely rely on rhetoric in response to Israel-Iran conflict—for now," FDD's Long War Journal
- "Iran-backed Shiite militias attack US forces based in Iraq," FDD's Long War Journal
- "More than 30 Iranian ballistic missiles strike Israel in 4 days of war, over 370 launched," FDD's Long War Journal
- "Iran announces more casualties, intensifies internal crackdown amid Israeli strikes," FDD's Long War Journal
- "Israel’s home front faces Iranian missile, drone attacks," FDD's Long War Journal
- "At Least 8 Killed, 100 Injured in Overnight Iranian Missile Barrage on Israeli Civilians," FDD Flash Brief
- "‘Topple This Bloodthirsty Government’: Despite Censorship, Some Iranians Express Support for Israel’s Strikes," FDD Flash Brief
- "Israelis Rally Around Iran Strikes, According to New Poll," FDD Flash Brief
- "Natanz ‘May Have Imploded’: Israel Inflicts Damage on Key Iranian Nuclear Facilities," FDD Flash Brief
- "Iranian State Broadcaster Dubbed ‘Torture TV’ Struck by IDF," FDD Flash Brief
- "‘We Need a Face-Saving Solution’: Iran Reportedly Seeks to End Conflict and Resume Talks," FDD Flash Brief
The Must-Reads
- Israel warns Tehran district to evacuate as residents flee Iran’s capital
- Commentary Magazine’s Seth Mandel: The world had 30 years of Israeli restraint and failed to stop Iran
- Iran looks to Trump and nuclear talks as escape hatch as attacks intensify
- Washington Examiner’s David Harsanyi: Iran is nothing like the Iraq War
- Russia is churning out attack drones. Ukraine is feeling the impact.
- Russia fears Israel’s conflict with Iran could cost it another Mideast ally
- CSIS’ Riley McCabe: Aid cuts make peace negotiations in Ukraine less likely
- Russian presidential security official Shoigu arrives in North Korea, reports TASS
- UK widens national security remit in a step toward NATO target
- Terrorism threat grows in West Africa as U.S. turns away
- Trump leaves G-7 summit early over growing tensions in Middle East
- Pentagon expands Middle East response as Israel, Iran trade strikes