The FDD Morning Brief provides timely situational updates on contemporary events. Start your Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings at 8:30am (ET) with digestible analysis and the headlines our experts are watching. The FDD Morning Brief can be streamed on YouTube, X, and is available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more
THE IRANIAN PEOPLE VERSUS THE REGIME HEADLINE 1: President Trump signed an executive order lifting sanctions on Syria. HEADLINE 2: Iranian threats against Donald Trump and his administration keep on coming. HEADLINE 3: While we’re on the topic of suspicious Iranian activity…Danish authorities arrested a man suspected of collecting intel on Jewish targets in Germany. -- FDD Senior Research Analyst Natalie Ecanow delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation between ...
THE STATE OF IRAN'S NUCLEAR PROGRAM, THE WAR IN GAZA, AND THE AXIS OF AGGRESSORS HEADLINE 1: Hamas issued fresh threats against aid workers in Gaza. HEADLINE 2: Over the last three months, the Shin Bet has arrested over 60 Hamas operatives in the West Bank. HEADLINE 3: Ireland is weighing legislation to ban imports from Israeli communities in the West Bank. BONUS HEADLINE 4: Iran’s Grand Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi issued a fatwa against President Donald Trump. -- FDD Executive Director Jon Schanz...
IRAN, GAZA, AND THE HOSTAGES FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Brigadier General (Res.) Professor Jacob Nagel, FDD senior fellow and former Israeli national security advisor. Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief -- Join our community to receive 24/7 updates on new and original insights into the latest developments and breaking news on national security and foreign policy. Subscribe now to @FDD on YouTube: https...
On this special SITREP episode of the FDD Morning Brief, Executive Director Jonathan Schanzer is joined by FDD Senior Fellow Lt. Col. (Ret.) Jonathan Conricus and FDD CMPP Senior Director Bradley Bowman to assess the fallout from Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran with a ceasefire now in effect — and evaluate the current status of Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief...
Tune in to the FDD Morning Brief for a special SITREP assessing the damage from the U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites. FDD Executive Director Jonathan Schanzer is joined by RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery , Senior Director of FDD’s Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation; Bradley Bowman , Senior Director of FDD’s Center on Military and Political Power; and Behnam Ben Taleblu , Senior Director of FDD’s Iran Program for a comprehensive analysis. Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief...
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...
ISRAEL'S SUCCESSES AND IRAN'S STRATEGY HEADLINE 1: Hackers stole approximately $90 million from Iran’s largest cryptocurrency exchange. HEADLINE 2: Iran and Israel are slugging it out like two boxers in the 10th round of a heavyweight bout. HEADLINE 3: As Trump considers what to do next, polls are shedding light about what Americans think about Iran. -- FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with FDD Chief Executive Mark D...
THE REGIME IN IRAN'S ARSENAL, ISRAEL'S SUCCESSES AND SETBACKS, AND THE IRANIAN PEOPLE HEADLINE 1: 20 Arab and Islamic countries signed a statement calling on Israel to stop striking Iran. HEADLINE 2: The IDF took out Iranian Maj. Gen. Ali Shamdani. HEADLINE 3: Two Israeli soldiers were killed in Gaza. -- FDD Senior Research Analyst Natalie Ecanow fills in for Jonathan Schanzer, delivering timely situational updates and analysis ahead of a conversation with Behnam Ben Taleblu, senior director of ...
ISRAEL, THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC, AND THE IRANIAN PEOPLE -- As tensions escalate following Israel’s strike on Iran, FDD’s Lt. Col. (Ret.) Jonathan Conricus offers timely analysis and is joined by Iran expert Beni Sabti of The Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) to assess the fallout. Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief
Israel has launched precision strikes against nuclear and military facilities in Iran — just days after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) formally declared Iran in violation of its nuclear nonproliferation commitments for the first time since 2005. The Islamic Republic — closer than ever to acquiring a nuclear weapon — had dismissed U.S. diplomatic overtures and accelerated its nuclear program in ways that clearly exceed any plausible civilian use. What are the implications for regio...
TURKEY'S NEO-OTTOMAN VISION HEADLINE 1: The U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on a network of sham charities that fund Hamas and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, or “PFLP.” HEADLINE 2: Israel carried out strikes against Yemen’s Hodeida port. HEADLINE 3: The IDF took out two Hezbollah operatives in southern Lebanon. -- FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Dr. Hay Eytan Cohen Yanarocak — author, resear...
RUSSIA, UKRAINE, AND ... GRETA THUNBERG? HEADLINE 1: Iranian intelligence agencies say they’ve acquired a cache of sensitive Israeli documents. HEADLINE 2: Al Qaeda in Yemen is back in the spotlight. HEADLINE 3: The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon may soon be a thing of the past. -- FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with FDD Founder and President Cliff May. Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/...
TURKEY'S INTERNAL CHALLENGES AND EXTERNAL INFLUENCE HEADLINE 1: Israel’s defense exports increased 13 percent in 2024. HEADLINE 2: Israel is arming jihadi criminals in Gaza. HEADLINE 3: The Syrian government agreed to give the International Atomic Energy Agency access to former Assad regime nuclear sites. -- FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Sinan Ciddi, director of FDD's Turkey Program. Learn more at: www.fdd.or...
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...
QATAR'S MALIGN INFLUENCE AND ANTI-ISRAEL PROPAGANDA HEADLINE 1: The Trump administration okay-ed the integration of foreign fighters into the Syrian army. HEADLINE 2: Rumors are swirling about who will replace Muhammed Sinwar as Hamas’s commander-in-chief. OK, maybe not swirling. We think we know who it is. HEADLINE 3: Chaos is festering on the Gaza aid front. -- FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer delivers timely updates and sharp analysis, followed by a conversation with writer and Middle East...
This episode provides an update on the multi-front Middle East war, discussing Israeli operations in Gaza, regional normalization efforts, Iran's nuclear program, and the Saudi-led delegation's blocked West Bank visit. The discussion features an interview with urban warfare expert John Spencer on Israel's military surge, the impact of aid distribution on Hamas control, and the critical race against time facing Israel amidst international pressure.
This episode features analysis on the multi-front war in the Middle East, including updates on Israeli laser defense, Lebanese action against Hezbollah, and the US presence in Syria. A conversation with Jacob Magid of The Times of Israel explores the complexities of the Trump administration's Middle East policy, stalled hostage negotiations, and underlying tensions in US-Israel and UAE-Israel relations.
WHAT'S THE STORY WITH HUMANITARIAN AID TO GAZA? HEADLINE 1: Israel and Syria are holding direct talks. HEADLINE 2: Germany is starting to change its tone on Israel. HEADLINE 3: The Palestinian flag is about to fly at the World Health Organization. -- FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer delivers timely updates and sharp analysis, followed by a conversation with FDD Distinguished Fellow Scooter Libby, former chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney. Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmornin...
FOREIGN INFLUENCE IN K-12 SCHOOLS AND BEYOND HEADLINE 1: Israel and Turkey reportedly established a new mechanism to help prevent unwanted military incidents in Syria. HEADLINE 2: Two more Houthi missile attacks were recorded. HEADLINE 3: France is working with Saudi Arabia on a proposal for Gaza that would require Hamas to disarm. -- FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Brandy Shufutinsky, director of FDD's brand-n...
EGYPT, CHINA, AND THE HORN OF AFRICA HEADLINE 1: The Israeli cabinet approved plans to build a security barrier along Israel’s border with Jordan. HEADLINE 2: Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is traveling to Lebanon this week. And the corrupt alta cocker might actually notch a legitimate win. HEADLINE 3: The U.S. State Department announced a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the disruption of Hezbollah financial networks. -- FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer d...
IS SYRIA'S NEW REGIME MALIGN OR MODERATE? HEADLINE 1: Israel is working on a plan to relocate civilians in Gaza if a ceasefire doesn’t materialize soon. HEADLINE 2: It’s official: Hamas’s October 7th attack was designed to derail Saudi-Israel normalization. HEADLINE 3: Another day, another Israeli caught spying for Iran. -- FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Barak Barfi, a Middle East scholar who specializes in Ar...
TRUMP'S GULF TRIP AND THE IMPLICATIONS FOR THE REGION HEADLINE 1: President Trump’s whirlwind Middle East tour was rife with record-breaking deals. HEADLINE 2: Congressional Republicans have reiterated their support for full Iranian nuclear dismantlement. HEADLINE 3: Trump’s sharp policy reversal on U.S. sanctions against Syria during his Gulf tour was coupled with a major request: that Syria join the Abraham Accords with Israel. -- FDD Research Fellow Hussain Abdul-Hussain fills in for Jonathan...
THE REGIONAL RAMIFICATIONS OF U.S.-SAUDI NUCLEAR COOPERATION HEADLINE 1: Tehran’s oil-for-missiles pipeline to Beijing just got sanctioned. HEADLINE 2: Israel targeted Muhammad Sinwar in a strike yesterday HEADLINE 3: Yesterday, President Trump announced that he’s lifting sanctions on Syria to — quote — “give them a chance at greatness” — end quote. -- FDD Senior Research Analyst Natalie Ecanow provides timely updates and analysis, followed by a conversation between Jonathan Schanzer and Andrea ...
NUCLEAR TALKS, CONGRESS, AND MAXIMUM SUPPORT FOR THE IRANIAN PEOPLE HEADLINE 1: The IDF is closing in on victory in the Hamas stronghold of Rafah in southern Gaza, with heavy fighting now focused on the neighborhood of Janina. HEADLINE 2: After 43 years, Israel brought home the body of a fallen soldier—Sgt. First Class Zvi Feldman—from deep inside Syria. HEADLINE 3: The IDF almost attacked Yemen. -- FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by...
IRAN, SYRIA, THE HOUTHIS ... AND MORE HEADLINE 1: The United States dropped the demand for normalization with Israel as a condition for advancing civil nuclear cooperation discussions with Saudi Arabia. HEADLINE 2: A mob at Columbia University disseminated pamphlets praising a Palestinian terrorist. There’s a reason people call this school Birzeit on the Hudson. HEADLINE 3: Israel’s ‘Qatargate’ scandal has gotten even messier. -- FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational up...
HOUTHIS, HAMAS, AND THE HOSTAGES HEADLINE 1: Israel prepares for “Operation Gideon’s Chariots” — a new, expanded ground offensive in Gaza. HEADLINE 2: The United States and Iran are set to resume nuclear talks. HEADLINE 3: Things are heating up a little in Lebanon. -- FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with FDD Senior Fellow and former IDF International Spokesperson Lt. Col. (Ret.) Jonathan Conricus. Learn more at: htt...
DOCUMENTING THE TRUTH ABOUT THE OCTOBER 7 MASSACRE HEADLINE 1: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on Qatar to stop playing games. HEADLINE 2: The UK arrested 8 men on suspected terror offenses. HEADLINE 3: Israel carried out a strike near the presidential palace in Damascus, Syria. -- FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with British historian and author Lord Andrew Roberts, who chaired the United Kingdom's October 7 P...
THE IMPACT OF FOREIGN FUNDING TO AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES HEADLINE 1: On Wednesday, two Israeli reservists were wounded in a roadside bomb attack in the northern West Bank. HEADLINE 2: Seven Iranian entities were slapped with U.S. sanctions on Wednesday. HEADLINE 3: Reuters published details from a 33-page document its reporters found in Damascus after the Assad regime was toppled. -- FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation wi...
ABRAHAM ACCORDS, TWO-STATE PARADIGM, AND U.S.-IRAN NUCLEAR TALKS HEADLINE 1: The Navy lost a $60 million fighter jet because of a Houthi missile attack. HEADLINE 2: An Israeli district court sentenced an Israeli citizen to 10 years in prison for treason. HEADLINE 3: Sectarian clashes broke out near Damascus in what people are still calling the new Syria. -- FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with former U.S. Ambassador to Israel D...
TARIFFS, TRUMP DOCTRINE, AND WHITE HOUSE DIVISIONS HEADLINE 1: The Palestinian Liberation Organization has a new vice president. HEADLINE 2: The Houthis launched yet another ballistic missile at Israel on Saturday morning. HEADLINE 3: Qatar and Saudi Arabia are settling Syria’s debt to the World Bank. -- FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with author and Free Press columnist Batya Ungar-Sargon. Learn more at: https://w...
