Crushing Iran’s oil trade: The path to maximum pressure
“We are committed to bringing the Iranians to going back to the 100,000 barrels a day of oil exports,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Feb. 14. “If we get [Iran] back...
Malaysia
‘We Want a Meaningful Deal’: South African President in Overture to Trump Following Aid Cut
South African President Seeks Deal With Trump: South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has stated that he wants to “do a deal” with U.S. President Donald Trump after the United...
Flash Briefs
Hamas Praises New Anti-Israel Lawfare Coalition of Nations
Hamas Commends Coalition: The Iran-backed Hamas terrorist organization on February 3 praised a newly established 10-member bloc of anti-Israel nations calling itself “The Hague...
Flash Briefs
AI-Generated Imitation of Elon Musk Pushes China’s Propaganda on YouTube
In late January, FDD identified a YouTube channel, MuskTalk007, filled with AI-generated videos imitating Elon Musk that push pro-China propaganda. Since its creation on December 7, 2024, the channel has amassed almost 2 million views, garnering considerable engagement for videos that denigrate the United States and present China as technologically and economically superior.
Policy Briefs
Lee Kuan Yew’s Cane and Trump’s Tariffs
A lesson in deterrence from the founder of modern Singapore.
Op-eds
Who’s afraid of China? Palau inauguration calls bluff of ‘friends to all, enemies to none’
For all the regional talk of “Pacific family” and “friends to all enemies to none” who did – and who didn’t – show up for the Jan. 16 inauguration of Palau President Surangel S. Whipps Jr....
Op-eds
Deconstructing the Inauguration: No, not that one
We have a country that is geopolitically sophisticated, with close ties to the U.S., Japan and Taiwan, and is in a highly strategic location. So who showed up to Palau’s party, and who didn’t?
Op-eds
Trump should get tough again on chemical weapons states
The media has largely ignored a disturbing trend: Russia is openly using chemical weapons against Ukraine. Ukraine’s army support services say Russia has carried out 4,800 chemical...
Op-eds
Too Little, Too Late, By Biden on Iran
President Biden pulled punches when enforcing oil sanctions against Iran. Forsaking the leverage inherited from President Trump’s “maximum pressure,” Biden opted for “maximum deference” from the get-go, and with clearly disastrous results. Not only is there no deal in place today constraining Iran’s nuclear program, but Tehran’s theocrats have used oil export revenues – an estimated at $144 billion of which was earned during Biden’s first three years – to underwrite the cycle violence currently engulfing the Middle East.
Op-eds
Donald Trump: Back to the Future on Iran Policy
Tehran’s theocrats must be terrified. That’s a good thing. Despite the limited and lackluster commentary on Donald Trump’s electoral victory in the Iranian press and by officials, regime elites must now face the fact that the candidate they sought to kill is set to re-assume the presidency on January 20, 2025.
Op-eds
Turkish University Celebrates Hamas, October 7
A university in Istanbul convened an international conference last week where terrorist leaders, government officials, and academics praised Hamas’s October 7, 2023, massacre and called for the destruction...
Policy Briefs
Turkey’s ‘Islamic’ offensive against Israel grows as Gaza war rages
Turkey's President Erdogan is using the October 7 attack to rally Muslim countries diplomatically against Israel, seeking regional leadership.
Op-eds
Iran is Creeping into the International Arms Market
Almost overnight, Iran has positioned itself as a weapons exporter to rogue regimes around the world.
Op-eds
Iran Reportedly Will Send Hundreds of Ballistic Missiles to Russia
Iran will imminently deliver hundreds of ballistic missiles to Russia for its war against Ukraine, Reuters reported on August 9, citing two European intelligence sources. Dozens...
Flash Briefs
Israel SitRep: August 5, 2024
Today’s Issue: | IAF Eliminates Hamas Minister Who Played ‘Significant Role’ in Seizing Humanitarian Aid Entering Gaza | Kfir Infantry Brigade Completes Training Exercise on Northern Front | IDF...
Israel at War Situation Report
Hamas Backers Gather in Qatar for Ismail Haniyeh’s Funeral
Mourners gathered in Doha, Qatar, on August 2 to pay their respects to Hamas’s late political chief, Ismail Haniyeh. Haniyeh died in a presumed Israeli hit on his guesthouse in...
Flash Briefs
Malaysian Prime Minister Slams Facebook for Removing Post Praising Haniyeh
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim strongly criticized Meta Platforms — the parent company of Instagram and Facebook — after his Facebook post mourning the assassination...
Flash Briefs
Hamas Rejects Proposed Israeli Changes to Ceasefire Deal
Latest Developments Hamas rejected a reported Israeli proposal on July 26 to screen Palestinians who return to the northern half of the Gaza Strip in the event of an agreed ceasefire, accusing Israel...
Flash Briefs
Houthis claim they will unveil new kamikaze drone boat
Recently, Houthis have switched to using new kamikaze drone boats in attacks, which have proven more effective than their flying drones and ballistic missiles.
Op-eds
Iran’s FM warns Israel against attack on Lebanon amid Hezbollah’s attacks
Meanwhile Iran continued to support attacks on Israel in the region. The pro-Iran Al-Mayadeen media noted that Palestinian terrorists in Jenin had fought with the IDF.