FDD Events Podcast

As President Trump prepares to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, the summit arrives not as a diplomatic breakthrough but as a carefully managed pause in an accelerating strategic competition. FDD Senior Fellow Craig Singleton framed the meeting as a continuation of last fall's tactical trade truce — "stalemate with a stage" — in which both sides are protecting the trade and tariff lane while continuing to apply pressure everywhere else. Expected deliverables remain narrow by design: agricultural purchases, Boeing orders, and a Board of Trade mechanism to separate lower-risk commerce from sensitive technology sectors.Elaine Dezenski, senior director of FDD's Center on Economic and Financial Power, identified China's dollar dependency as its structural Achilles heel and flagged the fentanyl front as largely unresolved, with roughly 97% of Chinese precursor chemical manufacturers now accepting cryptocurrency, shifting money flows beyond the reach of regulated financial institutions. On Iran, she noted Beijing's dual-track posture: publicly ordering Chinese firms to defy U.S. sanctions on Iranian refineries while quietly directing its largest banks to suspend new loans to those same entities.RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, senior director of FDD's Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation, identified Taiwan as the summit's highest-risk variable, warning that any restraint on foreign military sales would be deeply damaging given a U.S. arms delivery backlog already exceeding $20 billion. He cautioned equally against any shift in declaratory policy toward opposing rather than merely not supporting Taiwan independence, which Beijing would immediately weaponize in a lawfare campaign against Taipei.Craig Singleton is a senior fellow and senior director of FDD's China Program. Elaine Dezenski is senior director and head of FDD's Center on Economic and Financial Power. RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery is a senior fellow and senior director of FDD's Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation. The call was moderated by Joe Dougherty, FDD's senior director of Communications.For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2026/05/07/previewing-the-trump-xi-summit/

The conflict in Iran reveals urgent lessons about AI as a weapon of war and statecraft. Led by one of Washington's top experts on Iranian strategy, military doctrine, and the IRGC, this panel provides an assessment of how the Iranian regime has used autonomous systems and machine learning to expand its reach; how AI tools have supercharged propaganda campaigns and cyber-enabled information warfare; and in the financial realm, how emerging technologies have enabled large-scale fraud and illicit funding of Tehran's proxies. What does the Iranian regime's battlefield experimentation reveal? And how can the policy, technical, and intelligence communities respond?To explore these questions and more, join Behnam Ben Taleblu, senior director of FDD's Iran Program; Max Lesser, senior analyst on emerging threats at FDD’s Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation (CCTI); and Max Meizlish, research fellow at FDD's the Center on Economic and Financial Power (CEFP), at the Special Competitive Studies Project's AI+ Expo.For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/events/2026/05/06/ai-on-the-front-line-lessons-from-the-iran-conflict/

Join Elaine Dezenski, CEFP senior director and head; Josh Birenbaum, CEFP deputy director; and Thomas Hill, as they break down a forthcoming CEFP memo, ‘A Gameplan for American Economic Security.’ This comprehensive and actionable economic security framework articulates how the United States can strengthen alliances, reinforce market transparency and accountability, and defend against growing economic coercion from adversarial states exploiting market vulnerabilities. The memo offers policymakers and the private sector new ways of addressing emerging economic and national security threats and opportunities. The conversation will begin with introductory remarks by Juan C. Zarate, CEFP chairman, and is moderated by the Washington Post's Warren P. Strobel.For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2026/05/04/a-gameplan-for-american-economic-security-supercharging-u-s-statecraft-from-an-economic-pentagon-to-the-near-global-economy/

The UAE's decision to exit OPEC is not a procedural footnote — it is a structural rupture in the cartel that has shaped global energy markets and constrained American foreign policy for decades. The UAE was OPEC's third-largest producer, and its departure arrives on the heels of prior defections and years of Saudi unilateralism that have steadily hollowed out the cartel's ability to coordinate production and move prices. What remains of OPEC is a diminished institution whose most vulnerable member, Iran, will depend heavily on elevated oil prices to fund post-conflict reconstruction. But the cartel that once enforced that pricing floor is fracturing — and the UAE’s exit accelerates that fracture. That is not a coincidence. It is a strategic opportunity.The UAE's exit is inseparable from the broader regional realignment triggered by Iran's retaliatory attacks against its neighbors and decision to close the Strait of Hormuz. Those actions drove the UAE toward closer alignment with the United States and away from any institutional arrangement that seats it alongside its chief antagonist. Leaving OPEC allows Abu Dhabi to pump freely, erodes the pricing floor Tehran requires, and adds economic pressure to nuclear negotiations at a moment when Iran's financial position is already precarious. For the UAE, this was not a difficult calculation.The implications extend well beyond the Gulf. OPEC's core function has always been coordinating production cuts to artificially prop up the price of oil — a mechanism that has imposed real costs on American consumers and handed leverage to adversarial petrostate regimes for generations. That function requires internal cohesion OPEC no longer has. The question now is not whether the cartel can recover its influence, but whether the United States is prepared to openly welcome its decline and shape what comes next.To walk journalists through the geopolitical, economic, and energy security dimensions of the UAE's exit, FDD hosts three experts: Richard Goldberg, senior advisor and head of FDD's Energy and National Security Program, who previously served on the White House National Energy Dominance Council and the NSC's Iran directorate; Elaine K. Dezenski, senior director and head of FDD's Center on Economic and Financial Power, an expert on economic statecraft, illicit finance, and supply chain resilience; and Bernard Haykel, senior fellow and Princeton professor of Near Eastern Studies. The discussion is moderated by Joe Dougherty, FDD's senior director of Communications.For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2026/04/29/the-ramifications-of-the-uae-leaving-opec/

U.S. and Israeli strikes under Operation Epic Fury have inflicted severe economic damage on the Iranian regime — damage that now shapes the landscape of ongoing ceasefire negotiations. FDD's Center on Economic and Financial Power has produced the first systematic, model-based estimate of Iran's economic losses, projecting that Tehran has lost roughly $144 billion, or approximately 40 percent of its pre-war GDP, in under two months. The losses are not evenly distributed: some sectors have been hit harder than others, and critically, much of what has been destroyed — including Iran's F-14 fleet, its nuclear scientific personnel, and its advanced centrifuge supply chains — cannot be replaced under continued sanctions. These are not recoverable line items; they represent permanent degradation of Iran's strategic and industrial capacity.The economic picture was already dire before the war began. Iran's economy was in deep recession, its population bearing the cost of decades of mismanagement and sanctions pressure. The question now is how much more the clerical regime can absorb — and whether conventional assumptions about Iran's leverage, including its ability to threaten the Strait of Hormuz, hold up under scrutiny. FDD's analysis suggests that leverage may be more of a weakness than a weapon.To walk journalists through their economic model and discuss the implications for nuclear negotiations, FDD hosts three experts from its Center on Economic and Financial Power: Elaine Dezenski, Senior Director and head of CEFP, Miad Maleki, Senior Fellow specializing in economic sanctions, and Daniel Swift, CEFP Senior Research Analyst. The discussion is moderated by Joe Dougherty, FDD's Senior Director of Communications.For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2026/04/23/irans-economic-damage-from-operation-epic-fury/

Israel's military escalation against Hezbollah — an Iran-backed terrorist organization based in Lebanon that recently reignited conflict with Israel in solidarity with Iran — has created a rare opening for Lebanese sovereignty. The Lebanese government under Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has taken unprecedented steps, formally stripping Hezbollah of its long-standing "right of resistance" designation and voting to disband its military wing — the first Lebanese government in 30 years to do so. However, these decisions remain unenforceable: the Lebanese Armed Forces have declined to confront Hezbollah directly, the Iranian ambassador declared persona non grata remains in Beirut, and Hezbollah has responded with open defiance.Iran is now attempting to bundle a Lebanon ceasefire into its own nuclear negotiations — a move rejected by both Israel and, notably, the Lebanese government itself, which is insisting on direct bilateral talks with Israel rather than being negotiated over by Tehran. This represents a generational opportunity: Israeli military operations have severely degraded Hezbollah, while U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran have exposed the Islamic Republic's vulnerabilities and rattled its regional proxy network. The central question now is whether Lebanon can translate its political declarations into action — and whether the U.S. can help it do so — before a ceasefire allows Hezbollah to regroup and rearm, as it has done repeatedly since 2006.To discuss these developments with journalists, FDD hosts three of its scholars: Jonathan Schanzer, executive director and Middle East scholar, David Daoud, senior fellow focused on Lebanon and Hezbollah, and Hussain Abdul-Hussain, research fellow on Israel and Gulf Arab states. The discussion is moderated by Joe Dougherty, FDD’s senior director of Communications.

As the war involving Iran reshapes the strategic landscape of the Middle East, Turkey finds itself navigating one of the most complex geopolitical dilemmas in its modern history. Sharing a long border with Iran and balancing its role as a NATO member with its regional ambitions, Ankara is attempting to manage the fallout of a conflict that could dramatically alter the balance of power across the region. Turkish leaders have condemned U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Iran while simultaneously warning Tehran against expanding the conflict, reflecting a delicate strategy of hedging between competing interests.For Ankara, the stakes extend well beyond diplomacy. The prospect of regime collapse in Iran raises fears of refugee flows, border instability, and the emergence of new security threats along Turkey’s eastern frontier. At the same time, the conflict presents opportunities for Turkey to expand its regional influence and position itself as a mediator between global and regional powers. Meanwhile, recent incidents demonstrate how quickly the war could draw Turkey directly into the crisis.What does Ankara want from this conflict? Is Turkey seeking to prevent the collapse of the Iranian regime, contain regional chaos, or exploit the turmoil to advance its own geopolitical ambitions? And how should the United States and its allies interpret Turkey’s actions at this critical moment?For a timely discussion on Turkey’s priorities, anxieties, and strategic calculations as the war in Iran unfolds, FDD hosts Henri J. Barkey, adjunct senior fellow for Middle East studies at the Council on Foreign Relations; and Steven A. Cook, senior fellow for Middle East studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. The discussion will be moderated by Sinan Ciddi, director of FDD’s Turkey Program.For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/events/2026/02/26/beyond-erdogan-turkeys-political-future-under-new-leadership/

Authoritarian regimes are gaining influence over how Americans understand the world through the AI tools trusted to be neutral arbiters of information. By optimizing authoritarian propaganda for AI consumption, adversarial governments are shaping the narratives in AI tools relied on by millions for research, education, and everyday information. This event will explore how propaganda outlets are strategically filling legacy media’s void by positioning content to be cited by large language models, analyze Russia's campaigns to influence AI training data and embed Kremlin-aligned narratives into chatbot responses, and discuss the repercussions for the growing deployment of Chinese-built AI models in the United States.To discuss these emerging vulnerabilities and the options available to policymakers, technologists, and the media ecosystem, FDD hosts Joseph Bodnar, senior research manager at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, and Jamil Jaffer, founder and executive director of George Mason University’s National Security Institute. The discussion is moderated by Leah Siskind, FDD director of impact & AI research fellow.For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/events/2026/03/04/surveying-foreign-influence-in-ai-tools/

Operations Epic Fury and Roaring Lion have opened a new chapter in the Middle East — but whether the United States and Israel translate an unprecedented military campaign into a lasting political victory will define the region for a generation. This FDD media call examines the endgame of the combined U.S.-Israeli campaign against the Islamic Republic of Iran, including how air superiority over Iran changes the calculus for regime change, and what it would take to hand Iran to its people rather than see it collapse into a failed state. The experts assess Iran's deliberate strategy of shepherding its ballistic missile and drone arsenals to erode Israeli and Gulf civilian morale over time, analyze the threat of Strait of Hormuz mining as Tehran's greatest remaining source of leverage, and examine critical shortages of defensive interceptor munitions. In addition, the experts discuss Hezbollah's underwhelming entry into the conflict, what Israel is doing to ensure it cannot regenerate again, and why Ali Larijani and the Supreme National Security Council — not Iran's constitutional leadership council — are now the most consequential institution inside the Islamic Republic.To discuss these developments with journalists and creators, FDD hosts four of its scholars: Jonathan Schanzer, executive director and Middle East scholar, RADM (Ret) Mark Montgomery, senior fellow and senior director of FDD’s Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation, Behnam Ben Taleblu, senior fellow and senior director of FDD’s Iran Program, and David Daoud, senior fellow focused on Lebanon and Hezbollah. The discussion is moderated by Joe Dougherty, FDD’s senior director of communications.For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2026/03/02/operation-epic-fury-and-the-future-of-the-middle-east/

In the early hours of February 28, the United States and Israel launched a coordinated military campaign against the Iranian regime—Washington calling it “Operation Epic Fury,” Israel calling it “Operation Lion’s Roar.” Strikes hit sites across Iran, targeting ballistic missile infrastructure, IRGC facilities, intelligence headquarters, and senior regime leadership.Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is dead. President Trump confirmed his elimination on February 28: “Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead.” U.S. officials told Fox News that the strikes were moved up after intelligence revealed Khamenei and dozens of senior Iranian officials were meeting at his compound. Among those killed: Defense Council Secretary Ali Shamkhani, IRGC Chief Mohammad Pakpour, Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh, and multiple other senior military and intelligence figures.Iran has retaliated. A ballistic missile penetrated Israeli air defenses and struck a residential building in central Tel Aviv, killing at least one woman. Over 200 missiles and drones were fired at Israel and U.S. bases across the region—striking the U.S. Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain and causing casualties in Dubai and Syria. Regional governments have condemned Iran’s strikes in the strongest terms.Inside Iran, the response is electric. Videos show Iranians cheering in the streets. Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi has called on the armed forces to defect and urged citizens to prepare to mobilize. The opposition is deploying secure communications, satellite broadcasts, and hacked regime infrastructure to sustain the moment. The regime is decapitated. The question now is whether it falls.To assess fast-moving developments and their strategic implications, FDD hosts a timely SITREP moderated by FDD Executive Director and host of the FDD Morning Brief Jonathan Schanzer, featuring FDD CEO and host of The Iran Breakdown Mark Dubowitz, and FDD Senior Advisor and former White House National Security Council director Richard Goldberg.

Convened around the one-year anniversary of President Trump’s establishment of the National Energy Dominance Council (NEDC), FDD’s Energy and National Security Program hosts a symposium examining current U.S. energy policy and its implications for national security and foreign policy.Opening with keynote remarks by Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, this symposium assess U.S. energy policy over the past year. It analyzes how energy policy intersects with U.S. strategic interests across regions, examines efforts to accelerate AI power infrastructure buildout and stabilize the grid, and explores the administration’s approach to countering China’s influence over critical resources.For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/events/2026/02/04/the-state-of-american-energy-dominance/

At the recent trilateral summit in Jerusalem, leaders from Greece, Cyprus, and Israel advanced a shared vision of regional stability, prosperity, and cooperation. These nations, alongside the United States, are deepening coordination through mechanisms such as the Partnership for Transatlantic Energy Cooperation (P-TEC), the 3+1 framework, and the Achilles Shield program. As Greece emerges as a pivotal partner in U.S. energy strategy, these initiatives are cementing Athens’ role as the linchpin of Eastern Mediterranean security.To discuss Greece’s trilateral diplomacy with Israel and Turkey, the intersection of energy and security, and more, FDD is pleased to host Greek Minister for National Defense Nikos Dendias in conversation with FDD Executive Director Jonathan Schanzer.For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/events/2026/02/03/reimagining-mediterranean-security-with-greek-minister-for-national-defense-nikos-dendias/

China and Russia continue to deploy sophisticated information operations and systematic technology theft to undermine U.S. national security, reshape global norms, and influence public opinion across the West.Both regimes have spent decades stealing American intellectual property, trade secrets, and advanced technology – and are now weaponizing artificial intelligence to accelerate their espionage and influence campaigns. As Beijing and Moscow’s influence campaigns expand and evolve, the U.S. and its allies must understand the methods employed by the authoritarian regimes and their real-world consequences.To discuss where these adversaries collaborate and how Beijing learns from Moscow’s tactics, FDD hosts David Shedd, former acting director of the Defense Intelligence Agency and author of the newly published book, The Great Heist: China’s Epic Campaign to Steal America’s Secrets, and Ivana Stradner, research fellow with FDD’s Barish Center for Media Integrity. The discussion will be moderated by Craig Singleton, senior director of FDD’s China Program.For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/events/2026/01/22/assessing-the-china-russia-threat-nexus-in-technology-and-information-warfare/

The U.S. Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) sits at the forefront of efforts to detect, disrupt, and deter illicit finance – yet growing challenges are testing the limits of existing regulatory frameworks. As Congress weighs updates to the Bank Secrecy Act and the U.S. and Western allies debate new global standards through the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), debates over the Corporate Transparency Act, a steep rise transnational criminal networks, and the surge of ransomware attacks underscore the urgency of modernizing America's anti-money laundering infrastructure.As illicit financial crime evolves, how can FinCEN rise to meet the challenge? How do cryptocurrency and AI impact financial crime and enforcement? What tools are available to combat sophisticated threats from cartels and Chinese money-laundering organizations?To discuss the landscape of modern financial crime and the future of FinCEN, FDD’s Center on Economic and Financial Power (CEFP) hosts former FinCEN directors Kenneth A. Blanco, Jennifer Shasky Calvery, and Himamauli Das. This conversation is moderated by Juan C. Zarate, chairman of FDD’s CEFP.For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/events/2025/12/18/fincen-modernization-and-the-future-of-financial-crime-enforcement/

Recently, Greece hosted two important energy events: the Partnership for Transatlantic Energy Cooperation (P-TEC) and a historic 3+1 meeting of Greece, Cyprus, Israel, and the United States. As the U.S. seeks to implement its vision for energy dominance, Greece has responded by accelerating its own efforts to reshape the global energy system. From opening new LNG import terminals and signing long-term agreements with American LNG exporters, establishing the Vertical Corridor to supply American gas to Ukraine and other parts of Europe, partnering with Chevron to explore natural gas off Crete, and resuscitating the Great Sea Interconnector to link the grid from Europe to the Middle East, the pipeline to America’s global energy dominance increasingly runs through Athens.To discuss U.S. energy investment and infrastructure projects, Greece’s unique position at the crossroads of an emerging energy dominance corridor, and more, FDD's Energy and National Security Program is pleased to host a fireside discussion moderated by its director Richard Goldberg featuring Greek Minister of Environment and Energy Stavros Papastavrou.For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/events/2025/12/05/advancing-energy-security-with-greek-minister-of-energy-stavros-papastavrou/

Taiwan imports roughly 98 percent of its energy, making it one of the world's most energy-insecure economies. This vulnerability creates an opportunity for Beijing to pursue its campaign to force Taipei’s capitulation through gray-zone tactics, using economic, legal, and cyber-enabled economic warfare to throttle Taiwan's fuel supply without firing a shot. A successful Chinese campaign to disrupt Taiwan's LNG supply would force the island into difficult choices between powering civilian infrastructure or maintaining industrial production – including the semiconductor manufacturing that produces a super-majority of the world’s advanced chips.This summer, teams from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) and the Taipei-based Centre for Innovative Democracy and Sustainability (CIDS) at National Chengchi University conducted a tabletop exercise examining how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) might escalate military, diplomatic and economic pressure towards an unacknowledged quarantine, interrupting and potentially blocking Taiwan’s energy imports. The exercise revealed that while Taiwan must urgently address its energy vulnerabilities, coordinated actions by the United States, Japan, Australia, and European partners can significantly impact Beijing's strategic calculus.For a discussion on the findings from this tabletop exercise and actionable steps Taiwan and its partners can take to build resilience and strengthen deterrence, FDD hosts a panel of exercise participants including Kenan Arkan, managing director of commodities origination at J.P. Morgan; RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, senior director of FDD’s Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation (CCTI); and Craig Singleton, senior director of FDD's China Program. This conversation is moderated by Politico China Correspondent Phelim Kine. For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/events/2025/11/17/power-under-pressure-the-fight-to-protect-taiwans-energy-lifelines-from-beijings-aggression/

Following the 12-Day War and the United States’ strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities, the Trump administration has reiterated that U.S. policy remains unequivocal: Tehran will not be permitted to acquire a nuclear weapon. With the regime weakened, but not defeated, Washington appears to be embracing a broad containment strategy anchored in military deterrence, maximum-pressure sanctions, and diplomatic isolation following the UN snapback sanctions to constrain Iran and prevent its network of proxies from rebuilding.The return to containment raises an important question: What are the lessons to be learned from the last time Washington pursued this policy against an anti-American, oil-rich autocrat in the Middle East who repressed his own people, pursued weapons of mass destruction, and targeted Israel with ballistic missiles?To examine the parallels between Iran in 2025 and Iraq after the First Persian Gulf War, FDD hosts Reuel Marc Gerecht, FDD resident scholar and former CIA Iranian targets officer; and Kenneth M. Pollack, Middle East Institute vice president for policy and former NSC director for Persian Gulf affairs. Moderated by FDD’s Iran Program Senior Director Behnam Ben Taleblu, the discussion will analyze how Washington’s mix of deterrence, sanctions, and diplomacy aims to recalibrate U.S. policy toward the Islamic Republic while preventing a 2003-style Iraq War outcome with Iran.For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/events/2025/11/05/containment-redux-persian-gulf-war-lessons-from-iraq-for-us-strategy-toward-iran/

In the wake of the attacks of October 7 and the successes of its multi-front campaigns against the Islamic Republic of Iran and its proxies, Israeli leaders are assessing how to turn battlefield successes into strategic gains amid rapidly shifting regional and global dynamics. Israel now faces a critical juncture in redefining its national security doctrine to address the emerging challenges and opportunities.What insights do recent events provide for Israel’s long-term strategy? How can Israel balance its goal to remain a global center of innovation with the demands of confronting a nuclear-ambitious regime in Iran, countering an emerging Turkish-Syrian axis, and pursuing regional normalization?Benny Gantz, chairman of Israel’s Blue and White – National Unity Party and former Oct. 7 War Cabinet Minister, will outline "Israel’s Security Vision 2040," his roadmap for national resilience, strategic cooperation, and sustained empowerment. The conversation will be moderated by FDD Chief Executive Mark Dubowitz.For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/events/2025/11/04/israel-2040-benny-gantzs-vision-for-security-and-cooperation/

America’s ability to achieve and sustain energy dominance is central to both economic growth and national security. The newly established National Energy Dominance Council is charged with ensuring reliable, affordable energy at home while leveraging U.S. resources to project strength abroad. This mission is critical not only to fueling and capitalizing on the artificial intelligence revolution, but also to strengthening America’s capacity to deter – and, if necessary, defeat – the Chinese Communist Party, while countering threats from Russia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Venezuela, and other adversaries.Join FDD for a conversation featuring The Honorable Doug Burgum, U.S. Secretary of the Interior, on the Trump administration’s energy policies and his role as chair of the National Energy Dominance Council. The discussion will be moderated by Richard Goldberg, FDD senior advisor and director of FDD’s newly established Energy and National Security Program.For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/events/2025/10/24/powering-us-energy-dominance-with-secretary-of-the-interior-doug-burgum/

For five years, the U.S. Cyberspace Solarium Commission’s (CSC) recommendations have served as a benchmark for measuring America’s cybersecurity progress and the commitment of policymakers to sustaining it. Today, China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea are all working to exploit persistent vulnerabilities in U.S. critical infrastructures, defense systems, and institutions and the adversary technology involved is outpacing efforts to ensure national cyber resilience. This year’s CSC 2.0 Annual Assessment reveals a troubling trend: America’s ability to defend itself and its allies from cyber threads is stalling – and in some areas, slipping. For the first time since the CSC 2.0 project began assessing the Commission’s recommendations, there has been a reversal: nearly a quarter of fully implemented recommendations have lost that status. Which CSC recommendations remain unfulfilled, and why? What steps are necessary to reverse these trends and protect critical infrastructure? And how can Congress and the White House defend America’s critical infrastructure, advance resilience, and preserve the U.S. competitive advantage in cyberspace? FDD and CSC 2.0 host a conversation with Commission Co-Chair Hon. Mike Gallagher; CSC 2.0 Advisor Hon. Jim Langevin; assessment author Jiwon Ma; and former CSC Executive Director RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, who leads CSC 2.0 and serves as senior director of FDD’s Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation (CCTI). Commission Co-Chair Sen. Angus King (I-ME) will provide keynote remarks.The event coincides with the release of the fifth annual assessment report and is moderated by Politico cybersecurity reporter Maggie Miller.For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/events/2025/10/22/americas-cyber-resiliency-in-2025-lessons-from-the-fifth-csc-20-annual-assessment/

The latest twist of fate in Russia’s war on Ukraine, precipitated by President Trump’s comments in New York, underscores the drastically changed nature of this conflict. The Trump Administration is considering improved intelligence and weapons support for Ukraine, including long-range cruise missiles, and is calling for increased tariffs on nations that buy Russian energy. This was preceded by Russian drone violations of NATO airspace – stretching from the Baltics to the Black Sea – which led Ukraine to propose a joint air and missile defense network with European partners.What kind of support could, or should, Washington provide? What would the integration of Ukraine into European air defense networks look like? And what type of reform is needed to prepare Ukraine for integration into Western security architectures?To assess recent developments in Ukraine, FDD hosts Admiral Ihor Voronchenko, former inspector general of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, former commander of the Naval Forces of Ukraine, and an Army division commander in the 2014 conflict; Col (Ret.) Andy Bain, executive director of Ukraine Freedom Fund in Kyiv; Maj Gen (Ret.) Charles Corcoran, former assistant deputy chief of staff for U.S. Air Force Operations; and RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, senior director of FDD’s Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation. The conversation will be moderated by Tara Copp, journalist at The Washington Post, with introductory remarks by ADM (Ret.) Lisa Franchetti, former chief of Naval Operations and commander, Sixth Fleet.For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/events/2025/10/14/supporting-ukraines-defense-today-tomorrow-and-in-the-future/

The Axis of Aggressors — China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea — are pursuing “unprecedented levels of cooperation,” Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine testified in June, “driven by a desire to challenge U.S. interests and stability around the world.” These adversaries are cooperating not just in the military domain but also in the “cyber, economic, and informational domains.” What are the threats from each of these adversaries, and what are the implications of their cooperation? How should the United States and our allies respond? As the Trump administration finalizes its new National Security Strategy, National Defense Strategy, and Global Posture Review, how can Washington align ends, ways, and means to ensure Americans and our interests are protected? To discuss these questions, FDD’s Center on Military and Political Power (CMPP) hosts a conversation with CMPP Chairman and former U.S. National Security Advisor LTG (Ret.) H.R. McMaster, and GEN (Ret.) Laura Richardson, a member of CMPP’s board of advisors who served in the U.S. Army for 38 years and commanded U.S. Southern Command from 2021 to 2024. The panel is moderated by CMPP Senior Director Bradley Bowman.For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/events/2025/10/09/countering-the-axis-of-aggressors-with-ltg-ret-hr-mcmaster-and-gen-ret-laura-richardson/

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted a targeted strike against senior Hamas operatives based in Doha, Qatar. Reported targets include longtime leaders Khaled Mashal, Muhammad Ismail Darwish, Khalil al-Hayya, Mousa Abu Marzook, and Zaher Jabarin. These men are directly responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Israelis and Americans and have overseen Hamas’s global operations for decades, including serving as key architects of the October 7 massacre.The strike highlights Hamas’s dependence on external safe havens — and the challenge Israel faces in confronting a terrorist organization whose leaders operate from luxury in Muslim Brotherhood-sponsoring states like Qatar while directing violence against civilians. Key questions remain: How effective was the strike? How might this bold action shape Israel’s security and war strategy? And what are the implications for U.S.-Israel relations, given Qatar’s status as a Major Non-NATO Ally and host of the largest American military base in the region?FDD Executive Director Jonathan Schanzer, Senior Advisor Richard Goldberg, and Senior Fellow Jonathan Conricus will assess the implications for Israel’s counterterrorism campaign, regional security, and U.S. policy.For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/events/2025/09/09/fdd-sitrep-idf-strikes-senior-hamas-leadership-in-doha/?_thumbnail_id=274720

South Africa is emerging as a key enabler of authoritarian influence. From hosting joint military exercises with Russia and China to serving as a sanctions evasion hub and a vocal defender of Tehran, Pretoria is positioning itself in direct opposition to U.S. strategic interests. At the same time, South Africa is spearheading a campaign of legal warfare against Israel at the International Court of Justice – doing the bidding of Hamas while undermining the credibility of international legal institutions. All of this comes as the Financial Action Task Force, the global anti-money laundering watchdog, considers whether to remove South Africa from its grey list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring.For a discussion on how Washington is reexamining its relationship with South Africa, FDD hosts Max Meizlish, senior research analyst, Foundation for Defense of Democracies; Joshua Meservey, senior fellow, Hudson Institute; and Benji Shulman, executive director, Middle East Africa Research Institute. Moderated by FDD Executive Director Jonathan Schanzer, this panel will unpack the nature of South Africa’s foreign policy shift and outline what a credible and consequential U.S. response could look like.For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/events/2025/08/26/reexamining-the-us-south-africa-relationship/

The terrorism challenges facing U.S. are significant — and widening. A dangerous network of independent and adversary-backed groups pose a grave danger to the United States, with America’s critical infrastructure, global supply chains, economic assets, and citizens vulnerable to cyber, drone, and conventional attack. More than twenty years after the ‘War on Terror’ began, Sunni extremism also persists, joined by radical Islamists that are aligned and cultivated by the regime in Iran. Proliferating across Central and South America, the Horn of Africa and the Sahel, Southeast Asia, and beyond, strong and integrated U.S. counterterrorism strategy is needed today no less than after the attacks of 9/11.In such a landscape, what can be done to address existing and emerging threats in this space? What is the Trump administration’s strategy to keep Americans safe from terrorism? Join Jonathan Schanzer, FDD’s executive director, and Dr. Sebastian Gorka, deputy assistant to the President and senior director for counterterrorism, for a discussion on U.S. counterterrorism strategy, including forthcoming efforts to safeguard American security and policy options to combat the domestic and international threat landscape.For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/events/2025/07/23/surveying-the-us-counterterrorism-landscape-with-dr-sebastian-gorka/

China has developed a state-led policy of weaponizing critical supply chains against rivals, raising serious economic security and national security concerns for the United States. Nowhere is this strategy more apparent than in advanced battery and critical mineral supply chains, where China controls upwards of 80% of the supply of graphite, cobalt, manganese, battery anodes, and the essential material for battery cathodes. China’s dominance of these supply chains represents a clear and present danger to the security of U.S. military supply chains and core industries, and the efficient functioning of market economies around the globe.Both the Biden and Trump administrations have taken important steps to bolster domestic production of minerals, components, and batteries, but much more can and should be done to unlock private sector funding and innovation, support ally-shoring and allied capacity, stabilize pricing and streamline permitting. The U.S. must also develop strategies to push back against a wide range of Chinese non-market practices that it uses to establish supply chain dominance, create resource dependencies, undermine foreign rivals, concentrate economic power, and destabilize American and global economies.There are strategies and solutions to break China’s battery chokehold that the U.S. should prioritize. In a new monograph, “Unplugging Beijing: A Playbook to Reclaim America’s Advanced Battery Supply Chain,” FDD’s Center on Economic and Financial Power (CEFP) examines the non-market practices driving China’s battery and critical mineral dominance, and explores policy responses that America and its allies can use to escape China’s economic gravity.To discuss the report’s findings, FDD’s CEFP hosts a panel discussion with industry experts led by Elaine Dezenski, CEFP senior director and head, with keynote remarks by Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX).For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/events/2025/07/22/breaking-chinas-chokehold-securing-americas-advanced-battery-supply-chains/

After days and weeks of uncertainty, the United States struck Iran’s most fortified nuclear site — the crown jewel, Fordow — along with Natanz and Esfahan. The attack capped a week of Israeli operations that shattered key components of Iran’s nuclear program and eliminated top IRGC commanders and nuclear scientists. Are we witnessing the final chapter of the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program unfold before our eyes?Tune in to FDD’s Emergency SITREP with Executive Director Jonathan Schanzer, CEO Mark Dubowitz, Deputy Director for Nonproliferation and Biodefense Andrea Stricker, and Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation Senior Director RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery for real-time analysis of the fallout.For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/events/2025/06/21/fdd-sitrep-us-bombs-iran-nuclear-sites/

For malign actors seeking to undermine U.S. global leadership and economic prosperity, AI is the latest battleground. To learn how U.S. adversaries leverage AI to advance their military, cyber, and malign influence capabilities, join RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, senior director of FDD’s Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation (CCTI); Matt Pottinger, chairman of FDD’s China Program and CEO of Garnaut Global LLC; and Leah Siskind, AI research fellow and director of impact at FDD.This panel will discuss how the government and private sector innovation base can collaborate to combat national security threats, counter adversarial AI use, and expand the innovation capabilities of America and its allies around the world.For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/events/2025/06/04/battleground-ai-us-national-security-and-adversarial-use-of-ai/

To help protect the United States and its allies from the rising threat of missile and drone attacks, FDD is excited to inaugurate its new Air and Missile Defense Program, housed within the Center on Military and Political Power (CMPP).This state-of-the-art program conducts rigorous, timely research regarding the air and missile defense capabilities necessary to protect the United States, its forward-deployed forces, and its allies and partners from adversary missiles, aircraft, and drones. The development, procurement, and fielding of cutting-edge air and missile defense capabilities — in sufficient quantities — by the United States, its NATO allies, Israel, Taiwan, Ukraine, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and others can bolster deterrence and enhance collective defense against evolving threats.Join FDD for a kickoff discussion of the systems, policies, and infrastructure critical to empowering the United States and its allies to meet these challenges. The panel features program co-leaders Bradley Bowman, senior director of FDD’s CMPP and RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, senior director of FDD’s Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation (CCTI), as well as Lydia LaFavor, CMPP research fellow. The conversation will be moderated by Pentagon reporter at Politico, Paul McLeary.For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/events/2025/04/22/fdds-air-and-missile-defense-program-launch/

The current economic “moment” is seeing a generational re-ordering of global trade, alliances, and capital. The Trump Administration is unleashing an unprecedented and muscular use of economic power, with tariffs on historical allies and adversaries alike, ramped up sanctions on Iran and Venezuela, new investment incentives and reviews, and willingness to endure economic pain to remake the global order. The framework and objectives for this new use of economic power, however, continue to evolve.What tools are available for advancing America’s strategic interests and what doctrinal guardrails should govern their use? How can the U.S. and partners limit emerging geoeconomic risks? What new models of economic integration, trade, investment, and development should we be pursuing? Which pathways are available to counteract adversarial challenges, and what strategic alignments are required among allies to sustain U.S. and global prosperity? As questions abound, the United States and its partners face choices about how to safeguard domestic interests while fostering global economic resilience and security.To examine these questions and more, FDD hosts an on-the-record expert panel including Brian Hook, vice chairman of Cerberus Global Investments; and Elaine Dezenski, senior director and head of FDD’s Center on Economic and Financial Power (CEFP). Juan C. Zarate, chairman and co-founder of FDD’s CEFP, will moderate the discussion.For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/events/2025/04/21/the-trajectory-of-us-economic-statecraft/

The U.S. military has a vested interest in the security of the nation’s critical transportation infrastructure. During a conflict, America’s adversaries are likely to attack U.S. critical infrastructure in an attempt to constrain Washington’s policy options, including its capacity to mobilize the armed forces. Over the past year, the intelligence community has revealed how deeply Chinese hackers known as Volt Typhoon penetrated U.S. transportation, energy, and water systems. Meanwhile, other Chinese Communist Party (CCP) malicious cyber operations, including Flax Typhoon, hijacked cameras and routers. Salt Typhoon burrowed deep into U.S. telecommunications networks; Silk Typhoon compromised U.S. Treasury networks.These hacks have uncovered a dangerous truth: the cybersecurity of the critical air, rail, and maritime infrastructure that underpins U.S. military mobility is insufficient. In addition to enabling disruption, compromising critical infrastructure would allow U.S. adversaries to amass information about the movement of goods and military equipment – and impede America’s ability to deploy, supply, and sustain large forces.To explore these themes and more, the Foundation for Defense of Democracies hosts Gen. (Ret.) Mike Minihan, former commander, Air Mobility Command; RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, senior director, FDD’s Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation; and Annie Fixler, director and research fellow, FDD’s Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation. The conversation is moderated by Bradley Bowman, senior director, FDD’s Center on Military and Political Power.For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/events/2025/04/17/persistent-access-persistent-threat-ensuring-military-mobility-against-malicious-cyber-actors/

Iran’s nuclear program is escalating, its economy is worsening, and Tehran’s terror-regime ties with other authoritarians are tightening. As a result, the United States has an unparalleled opportunity to operationalize alternative policy options that marry maximum support for the Iranian people with maximum pressure against the Iranian regime.To advance these ideas, FDD and the National Union for Democracy in Iran (NUFDI) host a symposium featuring a keynote address by Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) followed by an exclusive fireside chat with HIH Reza Pahlavi, crown prince of Iran, and Cliff May, FDD founder and president. An expert panel featuring Behnam Ben Taleblu, FDD’s Iran Program senior director, and Cameron Khansarinia, NUFDI vice president, will unpack the current state of play with Iran and how maximum support can be paired with maximum pressure; Negar Mojtahedi, Iran International correspondent, will moderate.For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/events/2025/04/07/maximum-support-operationalizing-the-other-iran-policy/

Israel’s tech ecosystem plays a pivotal role in strengthening US-Israel relations, particularly collaborative innovations, economic partnerships, and geopolitical ties. These dynamics, notably in defense technology, align with U.S. national security interests and foster normalization with Gulf states by enhancing regional stability and economic resilience. Through the lens of innovation, these unique opportunities for collaboration and diplomacy have the potential to reshape regional dynamics and foster lasting peace.For an insightful conversation on technology’s power to shape diplomacy and drive peace in the Middle East, FDD hosts Eyal Hulata, senior fellow, FDD and former Israeli National Security Advisor; Ilana Sherrington Hoffman, director of global partnerships, Startup Nation Central; and Seth Spergel, managing partner, Merlin Ventures. Nave Shachar, director of innovation diplomacy, Startup Nation Central, gives keynote remarks. The conversation is moderated by Bradley Bowman, senior director, FDD’s Center on Military and Political Power.For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/events/2025/04/03/israeli-innovation-and-defense-tech-strengthening-ties-and-regional-normalization/

Cyber threats are evolving – but U.S. cyber policy coordination is still lagging behind. Four years after the establishment of the Office of the National Cyber Director, the Trump administration has a unique opportunity to establish stronger central coordination and drive meaningful improvements in how the federal government secures and defends cyberspace. How should the administration clarify and reinforce the role of the National Cyber Director? How can the administration create a more structured and accountable interagency cyber community? How can these structures set clearer national priorities and achieve the goals of deterring adversaries and advancing national resilience in cyberspace?To discuss these issues and more, FDD’s Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation (CCTI) hosts a virtual conversation with former National Cyber Director Chris Inglis and John Costello, senior advisor to CSC 2.0, an initiative housed at FDD to continue the work of the congressionally mandated Cyberspace Solarium Commission. The conversation is moderated by RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, senior director of CCTI and former executive director of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission with introductions by Dr. Samantha Ravich, Chair of FDD’s Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation.For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/events/2025/03/12/coaching-thecyberteam-the-future-of-the-office-of-the-national-cyber-director-and-cyber-governance/

Nations pursue access to reliable, sustainable, and affordable energy that will sustain their national security objectives. While the China-Russia led alliance continues to rely largely on fossil fuels, Western countries increasingly seek to replace these traditional energy sources with renewable offerings, leading to less reliable and more expensive electricity. This has profound national security implications.International organizations such as the United Nations and the International Energy Agency promote the existence of an “energy transition” to renewable energy, despite no signs that a transition is imminent. This is dangerous. Simultaneously, the United Nations promotes diversion of trillions of dollars from the West to China and the Global South to promote climate policies and renewable energy use.Future energy policies based on reliable energy supplies must necessarily include a full consideration of the national security implications.What are the potential dangers of operating and enacting energy policies based on future ideals as opposed to current realities? What is the position of the Trump administration on these matters? What is the role of the United Nations in promoting energy policies that will weaken the West?To explore these questions and more, the Foundation for Defense of Democracies hosts Dr. Brenda Shaffer, senior advisor for Energy at FDD; Michael Ratner, energy specialist at Congressional Research Service; and Ken Moriyasu, Washington correspondent at Nikkei Asia. The conversation is moderated by Clifford D. May, FDD founder and president.For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/events/2025/03/04/powering-national-security-energy-policy-in-the-us-and-beyond/

After nearly a year and half of war following Hamas’s brutal October 7 attacks, Israeli society has proven its resilience and strength. The IDF has had a series of military successes against Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and in Iran – though substantial challenges remain, in particular the return of all the hostages from Gaza.Paired with global political realities, Israel’s military successes present Jerusalem a window of opportunity. What could this opportunity look like? How should Israel turn its military successes into strategic victories and ensure lasting peace and security? Critically, what should Israel do about the future of the Gaza Strip and how can it work together with the U.S. administration to continue down the path of the Abraham Accords and advance normalization with Saudi Arabia?Yair Lapid, former Israeli Prime Minister and Foreign Minister and current Leader of Opposition of the Knesset, joins FDD to deliver a new proposal for the future of Gaza as part of his strategic vision for a peaceful and prosperous Israel and Middle East. FDD Chief Executive Mark Dubowitz will moderate an exclusive fireside chat following a presentation by Leader Lapid.For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/events/2025/02/25/the-day-after-yair-lapids-vision-for-a-peaceful-middle-east/

Over the last two months, Turkey has thrown its weight behind Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the victorious Syrian rebel group who ousted Bashar al-Assad’s government from power. Westen countries have labeled HTS a terrorist organization – yet, despite HTS’s jihadi roots, Turkey has argued the group is capable of establishing a state that brings law and order and is dedicated to serving Syria’s diverse population. For Syrian Kurds and other communities opposed to HTS governance, Erdogan’s embrace of the Sunni government foreshadows a grim future where Turkey is the dominant foreign power in Syria. For Turkey’s neighbors, Western allies, and fellow NATO members, Erdogan’s actions are a warning sign that Turkey is trying to fundamentally restructure and reshape regional boundaries.In light of its ambitions for the Middle East and Arab world, how can Turkey’s expansionist ambitions be best understood? What are the potential consequences for Turkey’s neighbors in the Mediterranean? Will Turkey’s NATO status mean less as the U.S. changes its relationship with the alliance? Can Turkey be trusted to be an honest power in Syria, or will Turkey’s dreams yield a new sphere of influence?To explore these questions, FDD hosts a sideline session during the 6th Annual Delphi Economic Forum featuring the Cohen Chair in International Relations at Lehigh University and Adjunct Senior Fellow for Middle East studies at the Council on Foreign Relations Henri J. Barkey; FDD Non-Resident Fellow and expert on Turkish domestic politics Sinan Ciddi; former Minister of Migration and Asylum of Greece and current member of the Greece-Cyprus-Israel-US Interparliamentary Committee Dimitris Kairidis; and FDD Executive Vice President Jon Schanzer. The panel will be moderated by Lena Argiri, Washington correspondent for Greek Public TV (ERT), with introductions by Endy Zemenides, executive director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council.For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/events/2025/02/10/turkeys-neo-ottoman-resurgence/

China has prepositioned destructive cyber capabilities in U.S. energy and transportation infrastructure. Russia has capabilities to disrupt undersea cables and industrial control systems. Iran has exploited unprotected networks to deface machines monitoring water systems. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) at the Department of Homeland Security is charged with collaborating with the private sector to secure critical systems. Since its creation in 2018, CISA has led federal efforts to understand and mitigate systemic cyber risk. How vulnerable is America in cyberspace? How has public-private cyber collaboration changed over the past six years? And, as U.S. adversaries become more aggressive in cyberspace, how can CISA bolster national cyber resilience?FDD’s Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation hosts a fireside chat with CISA Director Jen Easterly on protecting critical infrastructure in the cyber age. The conversation will be moderated by RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, CCTI senior director and former executive director of the congressionally mandated Cyberspace Solarium Commission.For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/events/2024/01/15/infrastructure-security-in-the-cyber-age-a-conversation-with-cisa-director-jen-easterly/

The character of war is constantly evolving. Those changes are happening not just on land, at sea, and in air – but also in the subterranean realm. The combatant that best understands these ongoing changes and adapts the most effectively is more likely to be successful in future wars.Few modern militaries know subterranean warfare better than Israel. That’s because terrorist groups such has Hamas and Hezbollah have for years attempted to use tunnels to infiltrate Israel and conduct attacks there. Following the October 7 terror attack on Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah used tunnels in Gaza and Lebanon, respectively, to protect terrorist forces and their arsenals from counterattack, imprison hostages, extend the conflicts, and further political warfare strategies. In response, Israel has developed world-class technologies, capabilities, and tactics to detect and destroy tunnels.What is the nature of subterranean warfare, how was it used in Gaza and Lebanon, and was this an anomaly peculiar to those wars and places or rather a sign of things to come elsewhere? What lessons should be learned, and how should Israel, the United States, and its allies respond?To discuss these questions and more, FDD hosts MAJ (Ret.) John Spencer, chair of Urban Warfare Studies at the Modern War Institute at West Point, Daphné Richemond-Barak, assistant professor in the Lauder School of Government, Diplomacy, and Strategy at Reichman University in Israel, and Lt. Col. (Ret.) Jonathan Conricus, senior fellow at FDD. The conversation is moderated by Bradley Bowman, senior director of FDD’s Center on Military and Political Power with introductory remarks by FDD Executive Director Jonathan Schanzer.For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/events/2025/01/13/tunnel-vision-us-israel-cooperation-and-thefuture-of-underground-warfare/

Four years ago, Congress created the Office of the National Cyber Director to serve as the president’s senior advisor on cybersecurity, implementing national strategy, supporting whole-of-nation cyber resilience, and working with the Office of Management and Budget to align federal resourcing to growing cyber threats from criminals and nation states including China, Russia, and Iran. The office led the charge developing a new national cybersecurity strategy and executed dozens of technical, governance, workforce, and policy solutions to implement the strategy. Has this implementation bolstered national cyber resilience? Has the government developed a whole-of-nation response to cyber incidents? Are federal resources aligned to thwart and deter U.S. adversaries in cyberspace?FDD’s Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation hosts remarks and a fireside chat with National Cyber Director Harry Coker, Jr. on the role of the Office of the National Cyber Director, its past successes, and lessons learned for the future. The conversation will be moderated by RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, CCTI senior director and former executive director of the congressionally mandated Cyberspace Solarium Commission.For more, check out: fdd.org/events/2025/01/07/cyber-strategies-and-successes-a-conversation-with-national-cyber-director-harry-coker-jr/

While federal agencies and election officials repeatedly affirm the physical and cybersecurity of U.S. elections, a significant vulnerability remains — the public’s belief in the integrity of elections. Beijing, Moscow, and Tehran believe U.S. power presents a serious impediment to their ambitions and are taking concrete actions to target Americans. This is the latest battlefield of America’s adversaries, which are waging an ongoing and growing information war against Americans with the aim to divide and exacerbate existing tensions so that we are too distracted and weak to project U.S. power abroad.What specific actions are China, Russia, and Iran taking to undermine trust in the coming election? And how should we respond? How do these latest actions fit into their broader information war?FDD hosts a panel discussion featuring Suzanne Spaulding from the Center for Strategic and International Studies; Bradley Bowman, senior director of FDD’s Center on Military and Political Power and editor of Cognitive Combat; RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, senior director of FDD’s Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation and co-author of an FDD memo on election interference; and FDD Research Fellow Ivana Stradner. The conversation will be moderated by Maggie Miller, cybersecurity reporter for Politico, with introductory remarks by FDD Senior Analyst on Emerging Threats Max Lesser.For more, check out: fdd.org/events/2024/10/31/the-war-on-americas-2024-elections-how-us-adversaries-seek-to-divide-americans-and-undermine-trust/

Breaking news out of the Middle East: Israel has confirmed the elimination of Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar. Hamas’s political leader in Gaza since 2017, Yahya Sinwar is considered one of the masterminds behind the October 7, 2023, massacre on Israel.Sinwar rose through the Hamas ranks as a fierce advocate of violence against Israel, helping establish Hamas’s military, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, and the Majd, an internal security service for the Qassam Brigades.What does the death of Sinwar mean for Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza? How does it impact the broader war that Iran’s proxies are waging against Israel? What is the reaction within Israel – and within the Arab world? How might Israel, the United States, and our allies capitalize on this strategic shift on the battlefield?FDD hosts a live SITREP with former IDF International Spokesperson and FDD Senior Fellow Jonathan Conricus and FDD Research Fellow Hussain Abdul-Hussain, moderated by FDD Senior Vice President for Research Jonathan Schanzer.For more, check out: fdd.org/events/2024/10/17/sinwar-is-dead-now-what-fdd-sitrep/

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. China’s aggressive actions in the South China Sea and its expanding influence in the Middle East shed light on how Beijing’s ambitions are reshaping the global landscape. The Chinese Communist Party’s strategic calculus demands the question: what steps can the US and its allies take to counter this unprecedented challenge?FDD’s China Program hosts a panel discussion featuring Matt Pottinger, FDD China Program chairman and former deputy national security advisor; FDD China Program Senior Director Craig Singleton; and Michael Singh, managing director and senior fellow at The Washington Institute. The conversation will be moderated by CNN National Security Correspondent Kylie Atwood.For more, check out: fdd.org/events/2024/10/10/beijings-axis-of-chaos-a-discussion-with-matt-pottinger/

The Islamic Republic of Iran has fired hundreds of ballistic missiles at Israeli cities today. This comes after Israel finally went on the offensive after sustaining nearly a year of escalatory attacks from Iran's Lebanese terror proxy Hezbollah.In recent weeks, Hezbollah's missile and drone arsenal has been crippled. Senior Hamas and Hezbollah commanders have been eliminated, including Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Deputy Commander Abbas Nilforoushan, senior Hezbollah member Fuad Shukr, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, and top terrorists in Hezbollah’s elite Radwan forces. Israel's daring and complex operations -- in support of Israeli and U.S. national security -- have provoked threats from Iran's regime to 'exact revenge' through the activation of its web of terror proxies. So, what lies ahead? How long might it realistically take for Israel to neutralize or dismantle the enduring threats Hezbollah and Iran pose to its sovereignty and safety? Will the regime in Iran light a match and reignite its 'ring of fire' in a vengeful attempt to settle the score?Discussing this topic, FDD Sitrep hosts Lt Col. (Ret.) Jonathan Conricus, a FDD senior fellow on the Middle East; Jacob Nagel, a FDD senior fellow and visiting professor at the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering at Israel Institute of Technology; Benham Ben Taleblu, senior director of FDD's Iran Program; and Jonathan Schanzer, FDD's executive director. For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/events/2024/10/01/iran-escalates-middle-east-war-with-direct-attacks-on-israel-fdd-sitrep/

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) aims to “reintegrate Taiwan,” effectively stripping the Taiwanese people of their de facto independence. Achieving this takeover with minimal military action and limited long-term damage to Taiwan’s infrastructure and economy would offer the CCP substantial economic, diplomatic, and military advantages. A well-executed, well-resourced, and well-timed cyber-enabled economic coercion campaign could provide the CCP with such an opportunity.To explore these threats, a delegation of FDD experts recently visited Taiwan to conduct war games and tabletop exercises (TTXs). These simulations were designed to evaluate the most salient and dangerous threat scenarios posed by the CCP to the Taiwanese people. The TTX involved 20 participants, primarily from Taiwanese banking and finance sectors, who simulated the roles of senior policymakers in Taiwan, the United States, and China. They assessed the most likely and perilous actions the CCP could take to isolate and coerce Taiwan short of outright warThe TTX produced several key recommendations to enhance economic, cyber, and societal resilience, and offered insights into how the United States and its allies can support Taiwan in its struggle for autonomy. To discuss these findings, FDD’s Craig Singleton and RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery are joined by Ti-Chen Chen of the Taiwan Academy of Banking and Finance and Ben Jensen of the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Lili Pike of Foreign Policy will moderate the discussion and FDD Founder and President Cliff May, who headed the delegation to Taiwan, will deliver introductory remarks.For more, check out: fdd.org/events/2024/10/04/targeting-taiwan-beijings-playbook-for-economic-and-cyber-warfare/

FDD is tracking a potential major development in Israel’s multi-front war against Iran-backed terrorists with reports of a potential strike against Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah and other senior Hezbollah leaders. Since October 8, 2023, Iran’s most pampered and lethal proxy, Hezbollah, has launched, without prior provocation, thousands of rockets at Israel from Lebanon. For months, hundreds of thousands of Israeli and Lebanese civilians alike have been displaced from their homes. The U.S. has been holding Israel back from striking hard blows to Hezbollah, and Israel is now paying a steep price. With another war front opened in Israel’s north, all eyes are turning to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Iran for what might come next. So, what lies ahead? How long might it realistically take for Israel to neutralize — or dismantle — this longstanding terror threat? Will the United States pivot its approach and support Israel’s efforts to enforce its sovereignty?Discussing this topic, FDD Sitrep hosts Lt Col. (Ret.) Jonathan Conricus, a FDD senior fellow on the Middle East; David Daoud, a FDD senior fellow on Lebanon and Hezbollah; and Jonathan Schanzer, FDD's executive director. For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/events/2024/09/27/israels-strike-on-hezbollah-hq-fdd-sitrep/

One of the most significant features of the geopolitical landscape is an increasingly formidable emerging axis of China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. The members of this “axis of aggressors” are united in their determination to undermine the United States and counter its core interests. Though their methods may vary, these adversaries share a desire to sow chaos, erode the rule of law, and weaken the United States and its allies.From Putin’s 2022 re-invasion of Ukraine — which instigated the largest war in Europe since World War II — to the Iran-backed October 7th massacre which sparked an ongoing multi-front war against Israel, and China’s growing threats to Taiwan, America’s adversaries are emboldened. The United States must work together with its unparalleled network of allies and partners to respond more effectively.To discuss the situations in Middle East, the Pacific, and Ukraine, as well as the path forward, FDD’s Center on Military and Political Power (CMPP) hosts CMPP Chairman LTG (Ret.) H.R. McMaster, a 34-year-veteran of the U.S. Army and a former U.S. National Security Advisor, in conversation with CMPP Senior Director Bradley Bowman.For more, check out: fdd.org/events/2024/09/26/axis-of-aggressors-hr-mcmaster-on-defending-americas-interests/

As cyber threats from malign actors against America’s critical infrastructure evolve, so must our defenses. Four years ago, the congressionally mandated Cyberspace Solarium Commission (CSC) offered a new strategic approach to combat these threats and defend U.S. national security and economic interests in cyberspace.Since then, the Commission’s report and white papers have driven significant advancements in U.S. cybersecurity policy, prompting Congress and the White House to develop innovative solutions to address these challenges. These efforts have improved federal government coordination, advanced U.S. cyber interests globally, deepened public-private partnerships, bolstered national resilience, and preserved military instruments of national power. However, key questions remain for Congress and the White House. Is the private sector adequately prepared to defend against sophisticated cyberattacks? What impact do funding shortfalls have on implementing the National Cyber Strategy? What lessons should guide the incoming administration and Congress in strengthening U.S. cybersecurity posture?To explore these questions, FDD and CSC 2.0 host a discussion featuring Commission Co-Chair Sen. Angus King (I-ME); Tom Fanning, former executive chairman of Southern Company; and former Executive Director RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, who leads CSC 2.0 and serves as senior director of FDD’s Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation (CCTI). Sam Sabin, cybersecurity reporter at Axios will moderate the conversation. This event coincides with the release of the fourth annual assessment report, which evaluates the progress made and the challenges ahead in implementing the Commission’s recommendations.For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/events/2024/09/19/americas-cyber-resiliency-in-2024-a-conversation-with-csc-20-co-chair-sen-angus-king/

The Middle East is teetering on the precipice of major upheaval as the Islamic Republic of Iran and its proxies have ignited a devastating multi-front war against Israel and the West. An axis of authoritarian countries are working closely to create chaos in Europe and the Middle East. Regional dynamics are undeniably shuffling as the terrorist groups on Israel’s borders and their financiers in Tehran grow more emboldened. Meanwhile, the US is attempting to restrain Israel from taking direct action against Iran and Hezbollah, fearing that one miscalculated move may tip the scale. Moreover, efforts by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt to broker a hostage deal seem to be moving one step forward and two steps back. These dynamics present unprecedented challenges to the U.S.-Israel security relationship.This critical moment demands strategic planning and raises several key questions: What are the implications of this escalating crisis for the U.S.-Israel security dynamic, and how might it impact the broader regional stability? How does the shifting global balance of power affect U.S.-Israeli relations and American interests in the Middle East? What adjustments might Israel need to make in the wake of October 7 and its war against Hamas? What weapon system and munitions challenges does the U.S. face as the “arsenal of democracy”? And finally, what lessons are to be learned from the ongoing wars with regard to intelligence reliability, deterrence, and conflict management?To explore these questions, FDD will host a panel discussion with MG (Ret.) Amir Eshel, FDD senior fellow and former director general of the Israeli Ministry of Defense; Eyal Hulata, FDD senior international fellow and former Israeli national security advisor and head of Israel’s national security council; RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, senior director of FDD’s Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation; and Jonathan Schanzer, FDD senior vice president for research. The conversation will be moderated by Katie Pavlich, editor for Townhall.com and Fox News contributor.For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/events/2024/09/10/strategic-planning-in-chaos-the-future-of-the-us-israel-security-partnership/

Serving as America’s development finance institution, the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) was established in 2019 to ramp up financing, equity investment, and partnerships to support U.S. foreign policy and development-aligned transactions in emerging markets. DFC bolsters U.S. national and economic security, enabling the United States to work with key partners and allies to define a new vision of public-private development financing, centered around transparency, financial sustainability, and economic resilience, while reinforcing high standards for protecting human rights and the environment.FDD’s Center on Economic and Financial Power (CEFP) hosts Nisha Biswal, deputy chief executive officer of the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, for a wide ranging conversation with Senior Director and Head of CEFP Elaine Dezenski. They will discuss critical areas for future DFC investment; evolving economic conditions across the global south; how the United States thinks about countering investments by adversarial regimes, including the Chinese Communist Party; and opportunities for greater collaboration with allies and partners. Ambassador John A. Simon, former ambassador to the African Union, and founder and managing partner of Total Impact Capital, will provide introductory remarks for the conversation. For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/events/2024/07/11/supercharging-the-development-finance-corporation-opportunities-and-pathways-for-development-infrastructure-and-investment/