Donald Trump’s Lebanon Race
US rewards for Lebanon should follow, rather than precede, Hezbollah’s disarmament.
Middle East
Islamism 101
America’s leaders refuse to do their homework
Op-eds
Arabs Must Make Peace with Zionism
Arabs who remain at war with Israel routinely blame their endless conflict on the Jewish state, pointing to the Gaza war, Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership, and far-right ministers such as Itamar Ben-Gvir...
Op-eds
Iran Is Rewiring Its Proxy Network
The Islamic Republic’s preparation for renewed regional escalation is making it less vulnerable to outside attacks.
Op-eds
Axis of Aggressors Military Cooperation Is Worse Than You Think
The United States now confronts one of the most dangerous geostrategic environments since 1945, in no small part because of the emergence of a new Axis of Aggressors consisting of China, Russia, Iran,...
Op-eds
The Axis of Aggressors vs. America
During the Cold War, the U.S. had only one major enemy – now we have four
Op-eds
Iraq pressured by regional countries to rein in Iran-backed militias as new data on extent of attacks released
Iraq finds itself under growing pressure from regional countries and the US to rein in Iranian-backed Iraqi militias. The latest pressure from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Jordan comes as Ahmad...
Op-eds
Saudis gravitate toward Middle East basket cases when it should join US’ fight against Iran
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly called President Trump on Saturday and implored him to hold off on striking the Islamic Republic of Iran. Trump acquiesced and punted...
Op-eds
Trump’s Board of Peace proposal has hit a roadblock amid reconstruction of Gaza Strip
President Trump is sounding bullish about the future of Gaza. After the Board of Peace, created by the US administration to manage the postwar reconstruction of the coastal enclave, issued...
Op-eds
Drone Strike on Egypt Spotlights Iran’s Expanding Pressure Campaign
For months, Cairo watched Iran’s regional campaign from the sidelines. Now, the war appears to have reached Egypt. On July 29, a drone struck the Egyptian port city of Damietta, damaging a U.S. gas...
Policy Briefs
Amid war and persecution, Iranians remain hungry for change
What is unmistakable is the depth of loathing for the Islamic Republic among its long-suffering citizens: At 71%, “dissatisfaction with the Islamic Republic” was the top reason for joining protests, according to a survey.
Op-eds
Bulgaria approved U.S. Tankers Over Tehran’s Objections
Bulgaria’s parliament approved a U.S. request to station up to eight KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft and 250 military personnel at Bezmer Air Base in southeastern Bulgaria despite direct, public objections...
Insights
US, Saudi Arabia strike Iranian-backed militias in Iraq after militia attacks
US Central Command (CENTCOM) and Saudi Arabia’s Armed Forces carried out strikes on Iranian-backed militias in Iraq on the evening of July 28 after several days of escalating attacks by...
Op-eds
How to break Iran’s terrorist regime
“Gradually, then suddenly” could work
Op-eds
Israel approves entry of International Stabilization Force into Gaza
On July 26, the Israeli government’s cabinet approved the entry of forces from the International Stabilization Force (ISF) into Gaza in the near future. The development envisions an...
Op-eds
The US military must RACE to rebuild its supply of munitions
The United States produces the most technologically advanced weapons in the world, but that’s not enough to deter and win future conflicts. The wars in Ukraine and the Middle East are demonstrating...
Op-eds
Turkey’s Cautious Bid for Regional Power
The difference in how Turkey treats Greece and Israel illustrates its diplomatic and military strategy.
Op-eds
Treasury Extends Its Muslim Brotherhood Campaign to Europe
Pressure is ratcheting up on the Muslim Brotherhood. Months after targeting several of the Islamist organization’s chapters, Washington is now taking the fight to the group’s support infrastructure...
Policy Briefs
Syria focuses on energy deals, works to revive infrastructure and institutions
Syria is positioning itself as an alternative route for oil exports from Iraq amid the Iran conflict and its disruption of oil exports via the Strait of Hormuz. On July 17 in Washington, DC,...
Op-eds
Hezbollah’s Financing Strategies: Recovering From War With Israel
Iran has spent more than four decades building Hezbollah into a force capable of making war against Israel in hopes of one day destroying the Jewish state. Israeli forces have inflicted tremendous damage on Hezbollah’s leadership, arsenal, and manpower, yet the terror group is rebuilding, thanks in no small part to its globe-spanning illicit finance network. To shed greater light on this crucial subject, FDD has invited Israeli expert Dr. Iftah Burman to provide a robust overview of the transnational web of enterprises, stretching across the Middle East — and from Latin America to West Africa and into cyberspace — that sustains Hezbollah’s aggression. This work provides information essential to intelligence and law enforcement agencies in every country, including the United States, that recognizes the severity of Hezbollah’s threat to peace, stability, and prosperity in the Middle East.