Foundation for Defense of Democracies

December 11, 2024 | David May |

The Australian Government Allowed Hate Speech Against Jews and Israel; Then a Synagogue Was Burned

Vandals defaced a synagogue in the Australian city of Melbourne in late November, with the phrases “Free Gaza” and “Jews kill babies.” A week later, in early December, two masked...

December 11, 2024 | Svante Cornell, Dr. Brenda Shaffer

Europe’s Nuclear Energy and Central Asian Uranium

The drive toward electrification coupled with the political decision to reduce fossil fuel consumption is creating a situation where, by necessity, there is renewed interest in  nuclear energy. In...

December 11, 2024 | |

Israel SitRep: December 11, 2024

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December 11, 2024 | Clifford D. May |

Assad exits and Khamenei’s strategy unravels

Lessons to be learned in the Middle East

December 11, 2024 | David Adesnik |

Amnesty International’s deep bias exposed in report on alleged Israeli ‘genocide’

The lack of evidence of genocidal intent on Israel’s part is nothing short of an embarrassment for the human rights organization

December 11, 2024 | David Daoud |

Israel Secures its interests in Syria

Bashar al Assad’s regime fell in the early morning of December 8, withering away in the face of a mere 11-day onslaught by a coalition of opposition armed groups. Israel found itself caught off-guard by...

December 10, 2024 | |

Australia Launches Antisemitism Task Force After Terrorist Arson Attack on Melbourne Synagogue

Task Force to Investigate Threats Against Jewish Community: Australia launched an antisemitism task force on December 9, following an arson attack that ripped through Melbourne’s...

December 10, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Hamas, PIJ adjust to post-Assad Syria, eye continued Iranian support

Both Hamas and PIJ have been hosted by the Assad regime over the decades.

December 10, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Why are Iran and Turkey moving to condemn Israel’s role in Syria?

It is interesting how quickly Iran, Turkey and also voices in Qatar have mobilized to single out Israel for critique regarding Syria.

December 10, 2024 | |

Turkish-Backed Syrian National Army Seizes Manbij from U.S. Allied, Kurdish-Led Forces

Turkish-Backed Forces Advance on SDF Territory: On November 30, the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) launched “Operation Dawn of Freedom” targeting the Manbij region...

December 10, 2024 | RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, Jiwon Ma

Steady leadership prepares TSA to face evolving cyber threats

New presidents bring new policies. But amid rapidly expanding cyber threats, steady leadership at the federal agencies charged with securing critical infrastructure is, well, critical. David Pekoske,...

December 10, 2024 | |

‘Everything Assad Got From Iran and Russia Has Been Destroyed’: Israel Ramps Up Attacks on Syria’s Arsenals

Hundreds of Strikes: The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights on December 10 reported ‘hundreds’ of bombing sorties by Israeli warplanes against abandoned Syrian military weapons...

December 10, 2024 | David Daoud |

Don’t bet on the Lebanese Army to restrain Hezbollah

The Assad regime has fallen. Meanwhile, the dreaded Third Lebanon War, during which Israel gave Hezbollah an unprecedented drubbing, is either over or in a ceasefire-induced lull. But the Iranian-backed...

December 10, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

IDF strikes former Syrian regime military sites

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out strikes on more than 300 targets in Syria over several days in the wake of the Assad regime’s fall on December 8. The strikes aimed at key military...

December 10, 2024 | Jonathan Schanzer, Natalie Ecanow

Qatar’s Corrupt Anti-Corruption Initiative

Glamorous awards and high-profile conferences are not enough to absolve the nation of its sins.

December 9, 2024 | Reuel Marc Gerecht, Ray Takeyh

Tehran May Tempt Trump With Talks

The Islamic Republic is on the ropes, but it could still exploit the threat of rapid nuclear breakout.

December 9, 2024 | |

Israel Denies Qatari Report That Hamas Provided Hostage Release List

Reports of Hamas Presenting Hostage List False: Israel denied a December 9 report that the Iran-backed terrorist organization Hamas had provided a list of Israeli hostages seized...

December 9, 2024 | Steven A. Cook, Sinan Ciddi

Erdogan Gets His ‘Leader of the Muslim World’ Moment

Syria's change of leadership has given Turkey’s president the regional influence he has always wanted.

December 9, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

As the Lebanon ceasefire holds, Metulla stands empty

Reporter's Notebook: I wanted to meet with Arie Almog, a resident of Metulla who had remained throughout the war.

December 9, 2024 | |

‘Serious Concerns’: Israel Strikes Chemical Weapons Sites in Syria After Fall of Assad Regime

Israel Confirms IDF Strikes on Chemical Weapons in Syria: Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar confirmed in a media briefing on December 9 that the IDF had struck chemical weapons...