Foundation for Defense of Democracies

December 9, 2024 | |

‘A Ruling From God’: Iran’s Judiciary Chief Defends Amputation of Thieves’ Hands

Tehran Upholds Brutal Punishment: The amputation of thieves’ hands as a judicial penalty reflects the divine will, said Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, the chief of Iran’s judiciary,...

December 9, 2024 | Elaine K. Dezenski |

How To Stop China From Manipulating North American Markets

When Chinese firms move operations to Mexico, there are real costs for the United States.

December 9, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Iran is trying to spin Syria crisis for its benefit

Iran is pushing several narratives via state media, including blaming US and Israel for toppling Assad regime, and turning to Russia and other countries.

December 9, 2024 | Jack Burnham |

Federal Appeals Court Upholds TikTok Ban in Serious Setback for Chinese Influence Operations

A federal appeals court has upheld a law forcing the TikTok social media platform — a conduit for Chinese influence operations and information harvesting — to be sold by its Chinese parent company...

December 9, 2024 | Natalie Ecanow |

Al Jazeera Allegedly Using Bots to Spread Propaganda While Skirting U.S. Law

A network of fake profiles is allegedly promoting antisemitic and anti-American propaganda on social media accounts associated with Qatar-owned Al Jazeera. The Combat Antisemitism Movement — a nonprofit...

December 9, 2024 | Bill Roggio |

US launches massive strikes on Islamic State as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham deposes Assad regime

The US Military launched “dozens” of airstrikes against Islamic State targets in central Syria on December 8, the day that President Bashir al-Assad’s regime was overthrown by the terrorist organization...

December 9, 2024 | |

Israel SitRep: December 9, 2024

Today’s Issue: | IDF Takes Control of Syria Buffer Zone; Tasked With Preventing Weapons Smuggling, Destroying Weapons in Syria | 10 Terror Suspects Arrested in Overnight IDF-Shin Bet Counterterrorism...

December 9, 2024 | Ahmad Sharawi |

Who liberated Damascus? Unpacking the Southern Operations Room’s emergence

The Southern Operations Room (SOR), a coalition of opposition groups, was announced on December 6, 2024. In its inaugural statement, the SOR called on the international community to...

December 9, 2024 | Richard Goldberg |

How to Bring Back Maximum Pressure on Iran

At the end of 2020, the Islamic Republic of Iran was down to just $4 billion in accessible foreign exchange reserves. Its terrorist mastermind, Qassem Solemani, and the godfather of its nuclear weapons...

December 8, 2024 | Hussain Abdul-Hussain |

Assad Is Gone: What Happens to Syria Now?

On 9/11, Sunni Islamism attacked the U.S. and suffered a crushing American response that allowed Iranian Shia Islamism to rise and dominate parts of the Middle East. On 10/7, Shia Islamism – with the...

December 8, 2024 | David Adesnik |

What’s at stake for America in Syria after Bashar al-Assad

Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s murderer-in-chief, has fled to Moscow. The people are celebrating, tearing down posters of Assad and statues of his equally vicious father, who founded the regime. But...

December 8, 2024 | |

‘Temporary Defensive Position’: Israel Takes Control of Golan Buffer Zone

Assad Ousted as Rebels Take Damascus: In the culmination of a 10-day sweep of Syria, Syrian rebels entered Damascus leading to the December 8 ouster of President Bashar al-Assad...

December 8, 2024 | |

‘A Historic Day in the Middle East’: Bashar al-Assad Flees to Russia as Rebels Take Syrian Capital

Syrian Rebels Capture Damascus, Declaring Assad Regime Fallen: Bashar al-Assad resigned his presidency and fled from Syria early on December 8, according to Russia’s Foreign...

December 8, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Reporting from the Golan Heights, on the day Assad was overthrown

Jerusalem Post reporter Seth J. Frantzman reports from the Golan Heights, near the abandoned Syrian town of Quneitra, where a lone regime flag still stood.

December 8, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

As Assad falls and Iran weakens, Qatar gains influence across Middle East

While Israel is pleased to see the weakness of the Iranian-backed axis, it’s worth pausing and noting that celebrations should be tempered by reality.

December 8, 2024 | Jonathan Schanzer |

Assad End in Syria

Excerpt The Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria has collapsed. Sunni rebels, backed by Turkey and Qatar, completed their lightning offensive last night after just a few short days of fighting. Assad’s...

December 8, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Israel moves forces into buffer zone with Syria as Assad regime falls

On December 8, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) moved units into several locations in a buffer zone that separates the Israeli side of the Golan from the Syrian side of the border. The IDF said the move...

December 7, 2024 | |

Israel Assists UN Forces in Syria to ‘Repel’ Attack

IDF Helps Defend UN Post in Syria: The IDF said on December 7 that it assisted the United Nations in “repelling” an attack by armed gunmen on a UN post in Syria. According to...

December 7, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

Could the unrest in Syria spillover into Iraq? Iran seems to think so

Iran believes that Iraq is in danger - this means that Iran is worried militias it backs in Iraq could lose influence.

December 7, 2024 | Seth J. Frantzman |

How does the Syrian revolution impact Israel’s border?

Syrian rebels have reached Damascus, meaning the spillover risks into the Golan have grown.