Mike Pompeo

Previewing Talks with Iran

How Venezuela’s Maduro became Washington’s most persistent hemispheric adversary

On November 13, US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced Operation Southern Spear amid an increased American military presence off the coast of Venezuela. Hegseth stated that the...

At Least 20 High-Level Commanders, Nuclear Scientists Killed in Israeli Strikes on Iran

IRGC Commanders Killed: The Israeli Air Force’s strikes against Iran in the early hours of June 13 pummeled Iran’s top brass, with at least 20 high-level Iranian commanders killed in the operation, dubbed by Israel as “Rising Lion.” Iranian media reported that four prominent generals were killed, including Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces and second-highest commander after Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Israel also eliminated Maj. Gen. Hossein Salami, the commander in chief of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC); Maj. Gen. Gholam Ali Rashid, the deputy commander in chief of the armed forces, and Brig. Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the head of the IRGC aerospace forces.

‘All Options are on the Table’: U.S. Reaffirms Call for Iran’s Complete Nuclear Disarmament

Top Trump Official Adamant on Iranian Nuclear Weapons: U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said on March 16, “all options are on the table to ensure” that Iran does not...

Bridging the Gap

Turkey Between East and West

Israel SitRep: January 31, 2025

Today’s Issue: | IAF Strikes Hezbollah Targets in Beqaa Valley; IDF: Yesterday’s Hezbollah Surveillance Drone Violates Ceasefire Agreement | IDF Eliminates Gunmen Who Killed Soldier in Jenin; Soldiers...

Trump will rue recklessly yanking security from Mike Pompeo, others in Iran’s crosshairs

Newly confirmed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday canceled the personal security detail assigned to retired Gen. Mark Milley, following his boss President Trump’s decision to revoke...

The Near Enemy: China’s Subnational Reach Into the United States

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‘You are Going to See the Sanctions Go Back On’: Trump Expected to Restore Maximum Pressure Against Iran

Maximum Pressure to Make a Comeback: President-elect Donald Trump plans to increase sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran as part of a return to his previous administration’s “maximum pressure” campaign, former Trump administration officials told The Wall Street Journal.

Beijing’s Axis of Chaos

Today, China is the driving force behind much of the chaos we see around the world — from supporting rogue regimes such as Russia, Iran, and North Korea, to meddling in the Middle East, and interfering in America’s upcoming presidential election. FDD's China Program hosts a panel discussion featuring Matt Pottinger, FDD China Program Chairman and former Deputy National Security Advisor to discuss what steps can the US and its allies take to counter this unprecedented challenge.

U.S. Charges Pakistani Man With Iran-Backed Plot to Assassinate Government Officials

The United States charged a Pakistani national with a thwarted Iran-backed plot to assassinate American government officials, the U.S. Justice Department disclosed on August 6. The...

What could a Trump-Vance China policy look like?

Vance’s focus on China is not surprising. In his personal and professional life he’s seen the way People’s Republic of China actions have affected the lives of Americans.

Iran Plots Assassination of Trump

Latest Developments Iran plotted to assassinate former President Donald Trump in recent weeks, U.S. authorities told CNN in a July 16 report. Unrelated to the failed assassination attempt against Trump...

Iran Supporting and Funding Pro-Hamas Protests in the U.S.

Following several months of often violent pro-Hamas protests across the United States, the U.S. Director of National Intelligence, Avril Haines, stated on July 9 that the Islamic...

Iran-backed Iraqi militia threatens to strike US interests should Israel attack Lebanon

The leader of one of Iraq’s most influential and powerful Iran-backed militias threatened US interests in the Middle East in response to a potential large-scale Israeli military campaign against Hezbollah...

Canada Designates IRGC as Terrorist Organization

Canada’s federal government designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on June 19 as a terrorist organization pursuant to the Criminal Code. The move comes after...

Maryland Court Issues Restraining Order Against U.S.-Based Iranian Diplomat

A Maryland court issued a temporary restraining order on May 28 against an employee of Iran’s Interests Section in Washington — the Islamic Republic’s de facto consular office...

Mohammad Mokhber: Khamenei’s Confidant

On May 19, 2024, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi died in a helicopter crash. Mohammad Mokhber, the first deputy president, will serve as interim president until Iran holds elections for a new president. Iran...

Canada’s House of Commons Presses Trudeau to Designate IRGC

The Canadian House of Commons unanimously passed a motion on May 8 to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization under the Criminal Code....

Bipartisan Coalitions Urge Biden to Resume Enforcement of Iran Oil Sanctions

Bipartisan coalitions in the House and Senate urged President Joe Biden on January 24 to enforce U.S. sanctions on Iranian oil. Biden’s deliberate non-enforcement of sanctions has enabled Iran to earn...