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October 21, 2024 The War on America’s 2024 Elections: How U.S. Adversaries Seek to Divide Americans and Undermine Trust What specific actions are China, Russia, and Iran taking to undermine trust in the coming election? And how should we respond? How do these latest actions fit into their broader information war? October 17, 2024 Sinwar is Dead: Now What? | FDD SITREP What does the death of Sinwar mean for Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza? How does it impact the broader war that Iran’s proxies are waging against Israel? What is the reaction within Israel – and within the Arab world? How might Israel, the United States, and our allies capitalize on this strategic shift on the battlefield? October 3, 2024 Beijing’s Axis of Chaos Today, China is the driving force behind much of the chaos we see around the world — from supporting rogue regimes such as Russia, Iran, and North Korea, to meddling in the Middle East, and interfering in America’s upcoming presidential election. FDD's China Program hosts a panel discussion featuring Matt Pottinger, FDD China Program Chairman and former Deputy National Security Advisor to discuss what steps can the US and its allies take to counter this unprecedented challenge. October 1, 2024 Iran Escalates Middle East War with Direct Attacks on Israel | FDD SITREP with Jon Schanzer, Jonathan Conricus, Jacob Nagel & Behnam Taleblu After sustaining nearly a year of escalatory attacks from Iran's Lebanese terror proxy Hezbollah, Israel has finally gone on the offensive and has begun to snuff out the Islamic Republic's 'ring of fire.' Hezbollah's missile and drone arsenal has been crippled along with their entire command structure. All eyes turn to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Iran for what might come next. So, what lies ahead? How long might it realistically take for Israel to neutralize or dismantle the enduring threats Hezbollah poses to its sovereignty and safety? Will the regime in Iran light a match and reignite its 'ring of fire' in a vengeful attempt to settle the score? September 27, 2024 Israel’s Strike on Hezbollah HQ | FDD SITREP with Jonathan Conricus, Jon Schanzer & David Daoud FDD is tracking a potential major development in Israel’s multi-front war against Iran-backed terrorists with reports of a potential strike against Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah and other senior Hezbollah leaders. September 25, 2024 Targeting Taiwan: Beijing’s Playbook for Economic and Cyber Warfare The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) aims to “reintegrate Taiwan,” effectively stripping the Taiwanese people of their de facto independence. To explore these threats, a delegation of FDD experts recently visited Taiwan to conduct war games and tabletop exercises (TTXs). The TTX produced several key recommendations to enhance economic, cyber, and societal resilience, and offered insights into how the United States and its allies can support Taiwan in its struggle for autonomy. To discuss these findings Craig Singleton, RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, and Cliff May are joined by Dr. Hank C.C. Huang, and Ben Jensen. September 16, 2024 Axis of Aggressors: H.R. McMaster on Defending America’s Interests The members of this “axis of aggressors” are united in their determination to undermine the United States and counter its core interests. Though their methods may vary, these adversaries share a desire to sow chaos, erode the rule of law, and weaken the United States and its allies. To discuss the situations in Middle East, the Pacific, and Ukraine, as well as the path forward, FDD’s Center on Military and Political Power (CMPP) hosts CMPP Chairman LTG (Ret.) H.R. McMaster, a 34-year-veteran of the U.S. Army and a former U.S. National Security Advisor, in conversation with CMPP Senior Director Bradley Bowman. September 5, 2024 America’s Cyber Resiliency in 2024: A Conversation with CSC 2.0 Co-Chair Sen. Angus King As cyber threats from malign actors against America’s critical infrastructure evolve, so must our defenses. Four years ago, the congressionally mandated Cyberspace Solarium Commission (CSC) offered a new strategic approach to combat these threats and defend U.S. national security and economic interests in cyberspace. Since then, the Commission’s report and white papers have driven significant advancements in U.S. cybersecurity policy, prompting Congress and the White House to develop innovative solutions to address these challenges. However, key questions remain for Congress and the White House. To explore these questions, FDD and CSC 2.0 host a discussion featuring Commission Co-Chair Sen. Angus King (I-ME); Tom Fanning, RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, and Sam Sabin. August 27, 2024 Strategic Planning in Chaos: The Future of the U.S.-Israel Security Partnership The Middle East is teetering on the precipice of major upheaval as the Islamic Republic of Iran and its proxies have ignited a devastating multi-front war against Israel and the West. Meanwhile, the US is attempting to restrain Israel from taking direct action against Iran and Hezbollah, fearing that one miscalculated move may tip the scale. Additionally, efforts by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt to broker a hostage deal seem to be moving one step forward and two steps back. These dynamics present unprecedented challenges to the U.S.-Israel security relationship. To explore these topics and more, FDD will host a panel discussion with MG (Ret.) Amir Eshel, Eyal Hulata, RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, Jonathan Schanzer,and Katie Pavlich. June 24, 2024 Supercharging the Development Finance Corporation: Opportunities and Pathways for Development, Infrastructure, and Investment DFC bolsters U.S. national and economic security, enabling the United States to work with key partners and allies to define a new vision of public-private development financing, centered around transparency, financial sustainability, and economic resilience, while reinforcing high standards for protecting human rights and the environment. FDD’s Center on Economic and Financial Power (CEFP) hosts Nisha Biswal, Deputy CEO of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation for a wide ranging conversation with Senior Director and Head of CEFP Elaine Dezenski. May 20, 2024 Flashpoints and High Stakes: America’s Blueprint to Counter China In the face of growing tensions between the United States and the People’s Republic of China, Taiwan is emerging as a pivotal flashpoint. As America strategizes its response, careful consideration and planning are paramount to address the challenges ahead. May 19, 2024 Breaking News Out of Iran | FDD SITREP with Mark Dubowitz, Rich Goldberg, and Saeed Ghasseminejad April 18, 2024 Transatlantic Security After 75 Years of NATO: A Conversation with U.S. European Command This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the NATO. Even as the US attempts to address serious threats in the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific, Washington now confronts “a combination of challenges and threats in the Euro-Atlantic area that we have not seen in more than thirty years,” according to congressional testimony last month by the commander of USEUCOM. So why should Americans care about security in Europe? What are Russia and China up to on the continent? To discuss these questions and more, FDD’s CMPP hosts Lt. Gen. Steven Basham, Deputy Commander of U.S. European Command, and Ambassador Kate Marie Byrnes, the command’s Civilian Deputy and Foreign Policy Advisor. April 14, 2024 Iran’s Historic Aerial Assault on Israel: SITREP and Policy Options The Islamic Republic of Iran ramped up its decades-long assault on Israel with an unprecedented attack last night, firing an estimated 300 drones and missiles at Israel – including directly from Iranian soil. Israel’s multi-layered missile defense system, along with robust support from a broad coalition of allied partners in the region, successfully thwarted the aerial offensive targeting Israeli civilians. All eyes are now on Jerusalem to see what happens next. April 13, 2024 Iran Attacks Israel with Drones and Missiles | FDD SITREP with Jonathan Schanzer and Lt. Col. (Ret.) Jonathan Conricus March 28, 2024 Turkey’s Local Elections: Outcome and Implications The local elections may give the mistaken impression that they are less important in outcome than the national. This could not be further than the truth, as Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) suffered a resounding defeat across the entire country. The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) delivered its best electoral performance since 1977, and denied Erdogan the ability to win back major cities across the country, including Istanbul and Ankara. March 21, 2024 Exploring the Potential of a U.S. Cyber Force Late last year, the commander of U.S. Cyber Command observed that the current state of U.S. military cyber organization is unsustainable. Bipartisan members of Congress have for a decade expressed deep concern about the inability of the existing military services to recruit, train, and equip sufficient personnel to meet growing cyber challenges. America’s cyber force generation system is clearly broken. FDD’s Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation is releasing a comprehensive report that explores the viability of establishing an independent cyber service: U.S. Cyber Force. March 5, 2024 Fortifying Cyber-Physical Resilience: Recommendations from the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology Physical systems in U.S. critical infrastructure have become reliant on digital technology for an array of functions, from safety to operation to communication. Hackers understand now more than ever that the impacts of a digital attack can proliferate to interconnected physical components, causing widespread systemic failure. The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) issued a report to address these issues, highlighting the need to build systems that that are resilient against cyberattacks so that the operational impacts of incidents are minimized. March 4, 2024 Turkey: A Sanctuary for Terrorist Entities & Illicit Finance Under the rule of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Ankara has offered safe harbor to Hamas leadership, allowing the terror organization to raise and transfer funds, recruit members, and coordinate regional activities. February 29, 2024 Expanding the Anti-Corruption Toolkit: FEPA and Beyond FDD and Transparency International-US host a conversation with Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) to discuss the recent passage of the Foreign Extortion Prevention Act (or "FEPA"), how the legislation can best be leveraged against corrupt regimes, and what comes next in the fight against global corruption and kleptocracy. February 20, 2024 Iran’s Nuclear Weapons Program: Previewing the March 4-8 IAEA Board Meeting FDD's panel reviews the current status of Iran's nuclear program, including its timeline to nuclear weapons and weaponization capabilities, discuss ways in which Tehran could use the conflict in the Middle East to sprint to nuclear weapons, evaluate U.S. and European responses to Iran’s nuclear escalation, and provide policy recommendations for Washington and allies in Europe and beyond. February 15, 2024 Strengthening America’s Asian Border: A Discussion with Northern Marianas Governor Arnold Palacios The Northern Marianas is part of the United States but exists in a strategic environment unlike anywhere else in America. Sharing a maritime boundary with Japan, the Northern Marianas hosted a strategic air base for America’s operations in World War II. The frontline between the People’s Republic of China’s influence operations and America’s strategic positioning are at a significant crossroads. February 7, 2024 Eastern Mediterranean at a Crossroads: The Future of Regional Integration and Alliances The Eastern Mediterranean – a nexus for trade and culture, rich in resources, and home to many Western allies – is embroiled in complex geopolitical dynamics, only exacerbated by Russia’s War against Ukraine and the aftermath of the attacks of October 7, 2023. What can be done to forge ahead? Who are the “spoilers” in getting such cooperation back on track? February 1, 2024 Israeli Security: The Northern Threat and Other Challenges Ahead The Islamic Republic of Iran’s proxy strategy to build a network of armed groups on Israel’s borders to create instability and foment terrorism is on full display in the region. Despite the war in Israel’s south raging on, the looming threat of Hezbollah in the north cannot be ignored. Equipped with decades of Iranian funding, arms, training, and coordination, is this the next warfront to break out on Israel’s borders? What challenges is Israel facing as it settles into what seems to be a long-haul war that may only be just starting to heat up? What would a war with Hezbollah mean for Israel and its defense capabilities? How would a multi-front war impact Washington and our allied nations’ involvement in the war? To explore these questions, FDD will host a panel discussion with Lt. Col. (Ret.) Jonathan Conricus, former international spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces and a member of the Israel Defense and Security Forum; Eyal Hulata, FDD Senior International Fellow and former Israeli National Security Advisor and head of Israeli National Security Council; and Bradley Bowman, Senior Director of FDD's Center on Military and Political Power. The conversation will be moderated by Anna Schecter, Senior Producer in the NBC News Investigations Unit. February 1, 2024 Victory and Defeat in Ukraine: A Conversation with Assistant Secretary of Defense Celeste Wallander Ukrainians continue to fight hard to defend their homes and defeat the Russian invasion, but the future is uncertain. The Ukrainian counteroffensive has not gone as well as many hoped and congressional delay is hampering the administration’s efforts to provide Kyiv the weapons and munitions it needs. As we look ahead in the region, there are a lot of questions being raised. To answer these and more FDD’s CMPP hosts Dr. Celeste Wallander, Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs. CMPP Senior Director Bradley Bowman will moderate the conversation. January 16, 2024 Fortifying the Crypto Future: U.S. National and Economic Security in the Virtual Realm Digital assets, cryptocurrencies, and decentralized finance offer economic opportunity while also exposing nation states and economies to genuine risk. While the industry has grown and evolved at rapid pace, bipartisan lawmakers are actively wrestling with the challenging question of how best to regulate and guardrail new financial tools to foster innovation while protecting U.S. national and economic security. December 7, 2023 Future Gaza: Options and Considerations for the Day After the War FDD hosts a virtual event featuring Eyal Hulata and Ghaith al-Omari, moderated by Nahal Toosi, Politico foreign affairs senior correspondent, who recently authored a Politico article on this topic. December 1, 2023 Hard Water: Increasing the Cyber Resilience of America’s Water Supply The systems that provide safe drinking water and dependable wastewater services are increasingly dependent on networked technology. At the same time, the importance of water and wastewater systems make them prominent targets for both profit-seeking cyber criminals and America’s authoritarian adversaries. With other critical infrastructure dependent on water systems for reliable operation, significant investments in cybersecurity technology and processes, both on premises and in the cloud, are overdue. To grapple with these challenges and discuss solutions, FDD, CSC 2.0, and Microsoft will host a panel discussion with Tom Fanning, executive chairman of Southern Company; Fred Humphries, corporate vice president of Microsoft; Rep. Don Davis (D-NC), vice ranking member of the House Agriculture Committee; and Dr. Kevin Morley, manager of federal relations for the American Water Works Association. The panel will be moderated by Dr. Samantha Ravich, chair of FDD’s Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation. November 28, 2023 Beijing’s Latin America Exploitation: Beyond the SCIF with House Intelligence Committee Member Rick Crawford As Beijing implements a comprehensive campaign in Latin America to advance their interests to the detriment of the region, what is the United States doing to protect Americans and preserve a world order that embraces the freedom of navigation, fair trade, and the protection of the intelligence and national security? November 22, 2023 China’s Pacific Coercion: A Conversation with Former President of Micronesia, David Panuelo Given its geographical location and its importance to the U.S., the FSM is the target of unrelenting People’s Republic of China (PRC) political warfare and grey zone operations, with the goal of pulling the FSM away from the U.S. and into Beijing's orbit. November 17, 2023 FDD Morning Brief The FDD Morning Brief provides timely situational updates on contemporary events. Start your Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings at 8:30am (ET) with digestible analysis and the headlines our experts are watching. The FDD Morning Brief can be streamed on YouTube, X, and is available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts at FDD Events Podcast. October 27, 2023 Mind the Gap: Federal Cybersecurity Workforce Initiatives Protecting our government and private sector networks from state-backed hackers and cybercriminals is more important than ever and starts with having robust cybersecurity teams. However, as the demand for cybersecurity professionals rapidly grows, the supply has not matched pace, leading to hundreds of thousands of unfilled cybersecurity positions across the U.S. federal government and private sector. To address this gap, the Biden Administration released the National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy, a document with the ambitious goals on educating and training students and professionals to expand the cybersecurity workforce. October 17, 2023 Intelligence Warfare: Targeting Tehran to Stop a Nuclear Iran Sometimes in cooperation with the United States, Israel has struck a wide array of targets inside Iran, penetrating Tehran’s defenses almost at will. These achievements have left a deep impression on governments in the region; some Arab countries have elected to de-prioritize historical animosities with Israel and normalize relations as mutual concerns about Iran loom large. October 16, 2023 Xi and Biden’s Diplomatic Dance: APEC Summit and the Future of U.S.-China Relations China's assertive moves in foreign policy, defense, economics, and human rights over the past year have reshaped geopolitics and international dialogue. With U.S.-China relations delicately at a crossroads, the upcoming meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the Asia Pacific Economic Forum in San Francisco promises to be more than just a bilateral meeting and could be a defining moment for international diplomacy. October 12, 2023 Terror, Sunsets, and Declining Pressure: Countering the Full Range of Tehran’s Threats As key international restrictions on Iran’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs are set to expire this month, Tehran supports, sponsors, and coordinates with terrorist groups like Hamas—who just brutally murdered over 1,200 Israelis. How can the US stand up to the murderous regime in Iran and its network of proxies? What exactly are the upcoming “sunsets” under UN Resolution 2231? How can the West mitigate the fallout of an effective greenlighting of Iranian sales of missiles and drones to Russia? October 7, 2023 Israel Under Attack: Iran-backed Terrorists Launch Deadly Surprise War (Media Exclusive) October 4, 2023 Latin America’s China Challenge: A Conversation with SOUTHCOM Commander General Laura Richardson Most Americans now recognize the serious threat the People’s Republic of China (PRC) poses to the United States. But many may not be aware of the comprehensive campaign Beijing is implementing in Latin America to advance the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) interests, undermine the United States, and put our homeland at risk. September 29, 2023 The Fight for Freedom: Jimmy Lai and Democracy in Hong Kong Co-sponsored by the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation, the Ronald Reagan Institute hosts an event featuring an abbreviated screening of "The Hong Konger: Jimmy Lai's Extraordinary Struggle for Freedom," followed by a panel discussion about Jimmy Lai’s case and the state of freedom in Hong Kong today. September 28, 2023 Turkey at 100: Under the Grip of Authoritarian Nationalism The Republic of Turkey as designed 100 years ago by Kemal Ataturk was intended to be a stalwart member of the Western alliance. One hundred years on, what is the trajectory of Turkey as a geopolitical and security partner for the West? What are the core security concerns held by the United States and its allies vis-a-via Turkey and what steps could Erdogan take to change course? How could policymakers support a more prosperous century ahead for the U.S.-Turkey relationship? September 21, 2023 Bolstering American Economic Statecraft: A Conversation with Senators Cornyn and Casey on Outbound Investments Congress has long been at the forefront of efforts to bolster America's tools of economic statecraft. Parallel to the Biden administration’s long-awaited executive order on outbound investment, for example, the Senate recently passed an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act proposing new powers and policies to further regulate the screening of outbound investment heading to China and other foreign adversaries. September 8, 2023 Maximum Support for the People of Iran: Honoring Mahsa Amini One Year After Her Murder As the protests continue to rage, Americans must not turn a blind eye to the Iranian people’s courageous demands for dignity, justice, and fundamental rights. What can the United States do to support the Iranian people? What bipartisan steps can be taken to amplify the voices of freedom-seeking Iranians and counter those who seek to silence them? August 31, 2023 Cyber Catastrophe Recovery: A Critique of U.S. Continuity of the Economy Planning Congress directed the president to establish a Continuity of the Economy (COTE) plan. The Biden administration delivered its response, but the final product provides no plan to ensure rapid economic recovery. Does the federal government have the information it needs to determine the order of recovery in the wake of a crisis? August 23, 2023 Confronting Beijing’s Weaponized Economy Axios China reporter Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian recently published a new book, Beijing Rules: How China Weaponized Its Economy to Confront the World, which includes headline-making stories of Western institutions bowing to Beijing’s pressure – and a glimpse of what America’s future may look like should liberal democracy come firmly under the thumb of authoritarian capitalism. To discuss her investigative reporting and the broader policy implications, FDD’s China Program hosts a conversation with Bethany as well as Liza Tobin, Senior Director for Economy at the Special Competitive Studies Project, and F. Scott Kieff, former Commissioner of the U.S. International Trade Commission. The discussion will be moderated by FDD Senior Fellow Craig Singleton. August 23, 2023 Extraordinary Threats and Opportunities: A Conversation with LTG (Ret.) H.R. McMaster and The Hon. Elaine Luria Despite an extraordinary list of threats faced, the United States enjoys unparalleled advantages, including a resilient democratic system, a large and innovative economy, a powerful military, and a strong network of allies and partners. So, what is the security situation in East Asia, Europe, and the wider Middle East? What is the Biden administration doing to address threats in these vital regions? And how can the US and its allies better secure national security interests while deterring aggression? August 21, 2023 Assessing America’s 2023 Cyber Resiliency: A Conversation with the CSC 2.0 Co-Chairs Authoritarian regimes, cybercriminals, and state-backed hackers prey on American individuals and businesses to sow chaos, reap financial gain, and carry out ideological agendas. Three years ago, the congressionally mandated Cyberspace Solarium Commission (CSC) offered a new strategic approach to combat these threats and defend U.S. national security and economic interests in cyberspace. What more should the federal government be doing to promote national resilience? August 11, 2023 Afghanistan in Peril: Two Years After the U.S. Withdrawal Nearly two years after the disastrous U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, the Taliban regime has reconstituted its Islamic Emirate and returned to draconian policies that are in grave violation of fundamental human rights. To prevent Afghanistan from further collapsing into a hub for terrorism, the West must pursue a clear-eyed security strategy that imposes due costs on the Taliban and eliminates safe havens for Islamic extremists. July 18, 2023 Safety in Numbers: Improving Cyber Capacity Building Washington’s robust efforts help partners build cyber resilience, mature their law enforcement tools and techniques, improve information sharing, train cyber workforces, and deploy more secure and resilient information and communications technology networks. As attacks by criminal and state-backed hackers on America and its allies grow, is Washington organized and resourced to meet the needs of tomorrow? July 14, 2023 Iran’s Terror Proxies on Israel’s Borders The Islamic Republic of Iran has spent the last four decades building a network of armed groups on Israel’s borders to create instability and foment terrorism. Thanks to funding, arms, training, and coordination from Tehran, a mosaic of at least nineteen terrorist organizations in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, and Syria continue to strike at Israel, blunting any hope for calm, let alone peace. July 13, 2023 The United States and Palau’s Strategic Partnership: A Conversation with President Surangel S. Whipps, Jr. With the sensitive COFA renegotiation underway, Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr. is in Washington and has agreed to sit down with FDD Non-resident Senior Fellow Cleo Paskal and FDD Senior Vice President Jonathan Schanzer to discuss the U.S.-Palau relationship and details on the great power battle taking place in the Pacific Islands. June 29, 2023 Evolving Threats, Stagnant Policies: A Conversation on How to Secure Critical Infrastructure for the Cyber Era Modern critical infrastructure – including access to safe water, energy, communications, and transportation systems – is vital to American security and prosperity. How can improved public-private collaboration better protect U.S. national security, economic prosperity, and public health? What should the Biden administration be considering as it undergoes its important policy review?

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