Good Luck With That Grand Strategy
Even the most comprehensive plans are bound to fail if leaders can’t build support for them.
RAND Corporation
Preparing for strategic competition: The need for irregular warfare professional military education
Excerpt The Department of Defense (DOD) does not provide the irregular warfare (IW) professional military education necessary for success in competition and conflict in the 21st century. This is a not...
Op-eds
Understanding the US Designation of the Wagner Group as a Transnational Criminal Organisation
Last week US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said that the Treasury Department will designate the private military company (PMC) Wagner Group as a transnational criminal organisation...
Memos
Developing a mastery of irregular warfare
Excerpt The U.S. military has failed to master irregular warfare above the tactical level. This is not a new problem, and it is one that has been recognized by leaders at the most senior echelons of government....
Op-eds
Now Is Not the Time to Negotiate with Putin
Pushing for negotiations could undermine the morale of the Ukrainians fighting in the field.
Op-eds
Defense Department needs to capitalize on historic opportunity
Excerpt The Department of Defense (DOD) may be facing a once-in-a-generation opportunity to fix a critical gap in its national security arsenal. Congress has authorized the creation of an institution dedicated...
Op-eds
What is the Future of Cyber Deterrence?
Excerpt Scholars and practitioners alike have debated the feasibility of applying deterrence models to cyberspace. Advocates of “cyber persistence theory,” for instance, posit that deterrence strategies...
Op-eds
Aligning U.S.-Israeli Cooperation on Technology Issues and China
Executive Summary The United States and Israel have a long history of working together as close allies. Theirs is a relationship based on common values and security interests. In recent years, the alliance’s...
Memos
Is Esper’s New Plan For The Navy Enough For The Indo-Pacific?
Recent wargames suggest the U.S. Navy would have a hard time fighting China, but this might be nothing compared to infighting Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and his successors will have to manage to build...
Op-eds
Was Nixon Wrong About China?
It might be time to question the conventional wisdom.
Op-eds
Iran Expert Alireza Nader Joins Foundation for Defense of Democracies as Senior Fellow
(Washington, D.C.) – Alireza Nader has joined the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) as a senior fellow focusing on Iran and U.S. policy in the Middle East. Throughout his career, Nader has advised...
Press Releases
Hezbollah in Latin America is a threat the US cannot ignore
The convergence of Iran-sponsored radical Islam with transnational organized crime in Latin America is a serious threat to the national security of the United States, especially in the tri-border...
Op-eds
How Will Jihadist Strategy Evolve as the Islamic State Declines?
Co-written by Colin Clarke Jihadist strategy has always been dynamic and opportunistic. Milita...
Op-eds
A grim anniversary: 15 years after 9/11, the war against radical Islamist terrorism is not good
Imagine it's 15 years ago, immediately after the 9/11 attacks. You are told that in September 2016, a couple of major counterterrorism victories would be just around the corner. These impend...
Op-eds
Successes and Failures of the U.S. and NATO Intervention in Libya
Download the full written testimony here (PDF). Ch...
Congressional Testimonies
Global al Qaeda: Affiliates, Objectives, and Future Challenges
Chairman Poe, Ranking Member Sherman and members of the Committee, thank you for inviting me here today to discuss the threat posed by al Qaeda. We have been asked to “examine the nature of...
Congressional Testimonies
Why Boston Isn’t the New Normal
The more nihilistic the cause, the harder terrorist groups have to look for recruits.
Op-eds
FDD Releases Groundbreaking Volume on Terrorist Groups in Canada
Washington, DC (FDD, August 20, 2012) – The Foundation for Defense of Democracies Press has released a groundbreaking volume on terrorist groups operating in Can...
Press Releases
The Foggiest War
We don’t know our enemy. What’s worse: We don’t want to.
Op-eds
While Pakistan Burns
Al Qaeda regroups in the tribal areas, the government falters. What is to be done?