Israel Program

About

America’s most valuable and vulnerable ally in the Middle East, Israel, faces an onslaught of threats. Syria’s civil war continues to rage with Sunni and Shiite radicals sitting on or near Israel’s border. Lebanon is a failing state where Hezbollah is stockpiling precision-guided munitions (PGMs) that may be able to evade Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system. Tehran-backed terrorists, including Hamas, launched more than 4,000 rockets into Israel during the May 2021 escalation, and continue to stockpile weapons for future conflict. And the Islamic Republic of Iran continues to inch forward with its nuclear weapons program. As these threats loom large, Israel’s adversaries also seek to delegitimize Israel through lawfare and boycotts.

FDD’s Israel Program leverages FDD’s regional and subject matter expertise and its centers on American power to produce actionable research and develop policy options to address the threats facing Israel while encouraging the expansion of the historic normalization agreements between Israel and the Arab world.

FDD’s Israel Program team includes fellows and analysts with a wide range of backgrounds, including Middle East and regional subject matter experts, language skills, lawfare experts, and experience in government, military, intelligence, finance and technology. FDD’s Israel Program involves a range of efforts, including developing the U.S.-Israel Operations Technology Working Group, identifying illicit networks behind the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) efforts, supporting the new Eastern Mediterranean energy alliance, addressing the China-Israel relationship and protecting U.S. interests, supporting a pressure campaign to counter the Islamic Republic in Iran, combatting terrorist use of human shields, maintaining Israel’s Qualitative Military Edge, and exploring ways to advance the historic normalization agreements.

Experts

In the News

FDD's Israel Program features U.S.- and Israel-based analysts and experts who are available to comment in the media on foreign policy and national security issues related to Israel.

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Program on Middle East Peace and Normalization

FDD’s program on Middle East peace and normalization builds on the historic Abraham Accords peace agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

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"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."
Headshot of Amb. Nikki R. Haley
Amb. Nikki R. Haley
Former US Ambassador to the United Nations
“You thanked me for meeting with the FDD officials to inform them. You got that part wrong. I meet with FDD officials to get informed.”
Headshot of Amb. Ron Dermer
Amb. Ron Dermer
Israel's former Ambassador to the U.S.
"FDD is the most reliable source of intelligence on who is trading with Iran and who is violating US, EU and international sanctions."
Headshot of Brig. General Ephraim Sneh
Brig. General Ephraim Sneh
Former Deputy Defense Minister, Government of Israel
"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.
Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr.
Former Commander, U.S. Central Command
"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"
Headshot of Javad Zarif
Javad Zarif
Iran's Foreign Minister
“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.”
Headshot of Rep. Ted Duetch
Rep. Ted Deutch (D-FL)

Products

Events

Israeli Security: The Northern Threat and Other Challenges Ahead

February 9, 2024 | 12:00 pm

Future Gaza: Options and Considerations for the Day After the War

December 13, 2023 | 10:30 am