FDD Events Podcast

ERDOGAN'S NEO-OTTOMAN AMBITIONSHEADLINE 1: The Palestinian Authority is still paying money to terrorists.HEADLINE 2: The Trump administration continues to heap financial pressure on Iran.HEADLINE 3: A construction project in Gaza seems to be in the works.---FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with FDD Turkey Program Senior Director Sinan Ciddi.Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief---Featured FDD Pieces: "Georgia is becoming Iran's sanctions evasion hub" - Keti Korkiya, The Hill"The US should stop indulging Hungary and Slovakia" - Ivana Stradner and Dalibor Rohac, Washington Examiner "Saving the European-American marriage" - Clifford D. May, The Washington Times

HEADLINE 1: Iran wants to buy anti-ship missiles from China.HEADLINE 2: India's prime minister touched down in Israel today.HEADLINE 3: In case you missed it, Syria recently transferred thousands of ISIS prisoners to Iraq. --FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Erin Molan, former television presenter for Sky News Australia and host of The Erin Molan Show.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief--Featured FDD Pieces:"What if the Iranian Regime Is Stronger Than Trump Thinks?" - Reuel Marc Gerecht and Ray Takeyh, The New York Times"How Did the United States End Up on the Same Side as the Muslim Brotherhood in Yemen?" - Bridget Toomey, FDD Insight"The Islamic Republic's Weaponization of Global Terror" - Mark Dubowitz and Edmund Fitton-Brown, The Iran Breakdown

FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with FDD Chief Executive Mark Dubowitz.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

AN ANCIENT CITY'S MODERN DIVIDE HEADLINE 1: Iran and Russia held joint naval exercises in and around the Gulf of Oman.HEADLINE 2: The European Union officially designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization.HEADLINE 3: Israel carried out a large counterterrorism operation in the town of Hebron this week.---FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Yishai Fleisher, who serves as the international spokesperson for the Jewish Community of Hebron.Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief---Featured FDD Pieces:"Europe Looks to Israeli Tech to Defend Tanks" - Brad Bowman and Justin Leopold-Cohen, Real Clear Defense"Free Jimmy Lai!" - Cliff May, The Washington Times"Ukraine, four years in" - LinkedIn Newsletter: This Week at FDD

HEADLINE 1: More countries are planning to contribute troops to the International Stabilization Force in Gaza.HEADLINE 2: The Lebanese government provided an update on disarming Hezbollah.HEADLINE 3: Qatar is taking some heat right now from an unlikely place: the Israeli left.--FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Andrew Tabler of The Washington Institute.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief--Featured FDD Pieces:"Allies, Adversaries, and the Axis" - Bradley Bowman and LTG (Ret.) H.R. McMaster, Foreign Podicy"Did Iran Use Chemical Weapons on Protesters?" - Andrea Stricker (writing with Gregory D. Koblentz), The National Interest"Trump could be missing the opportunity to rebuild the Navy efficiently and quickly" - RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, New York Post

FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Steve Hayes, CEO and editor of The Dispatch.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

HEADLINE 1: The United States smuggled thousands of Starlink internet terminals into Iran.HEADLINE 2: Remember the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation? A security firm based in North Carolina called UG Solutions helped secure the group's aid distribution sites. Well, UG Solutions might be coming back.HEADLINE 3: Israel successfully completed new tests with its David's Sling missile defense system.--FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, a Gaza native who serves as the founder and director of the Realign for Palestine project at the Atlantic Council.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief--Featured FDD Pieces:"Egypt Tests Trump's Pledge to Defend Persecuted Christians" - Mariam Wahba, Newsweek"A few words of advice on Iran and Gaza" - Cliff May, The Washington Times"Al Jazeera Centre for Studies: Academic Veneer Normalizing Terrorism" - Toby Dershowitz and Qatar expert Eitan Fischberger, FDD Insight

HEADLINE 1: Turkish forces aren't leaving Syria anytime soon.HEADLINE 2: Israel indicted two more individuals for allegedly spying on behalf of Iran. HEADLINE 3: Indonesia is planning to participate in the International Stabilization Force in Gaza.--FDD Executive Director Jonathan Schanzer provides timely updates and in-depth analysis of the latest Middle East headlines, followed by a conversation with FDD Senior Advisor Richard Goldberg.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/--Featured FDD Pieces:"Whither the Hamas solidarity movement?" - Ben Cohen, JNS"Everything You Always Wanted to Know About the Houthis But Were Afraid to Ask" - Cliff May and Edmund Fitton-Brown, Foreign Podicy"Weaponized Mass Migration" - RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, testifying before the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe

FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Reuel Marc Gerecht, a former CIA Iranian-targets officer and current FDD resident scholar.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

HEADLINE 1: Even with talks this weekend, Iran continues to escalate in the Middle East.HEADLINE 2: Israel continues to even the score from October 7.HEADLINE 3: And I really don't like this: Egypt and Turkey signed a military cooperation agreement in Cairo.--FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Ghaith Al-Omari, senior fellow at The Washington Institute and former senior advisor to the Palestinian Authority.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/--Featured FDD Pieces:"Should Western Tech Giants Partner With Pro-Hamas Network Al Jazeera?" - Toby Dershowitz and Asher Boiskin, The Cipher Brief"Why Is the Trump Administration Wiring Venezuelan Oil Revenue to Qatar?" - Natalie Ecanow, The Dispatch"Sudanese Army Breaks Key Siege as U.S. Leads Humanitarian Aid Push" - Mariam Wahba, FDD Policy Brief

HEADLINE 1: UNRWA is back in the news. And that's generally not a good thing for the UN's most corrupt agency.HEADLINE 2: Earlier this week, the IDF dropped some sort of non-toxic chemical substance near the Blue Line. The Israelis have been consistently clearing greenery to ensure unhindered lines of sight. UNIFIL was outraged.HEADLINE 3: Lebanon's army chief headed to Florida this week for meetings with his American counterparts.--FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Israeli journalist and "The War of Return" co-author Adi Schwartz.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief--Featured FDD Pieces:"After Erdogan: Who Will Control Turkey?" - Sinan Ciddi and William Doran, FDD Memo"Reimagining Mediterranean Security with Greek Minister for National Defense Nikos Dendias" - FDD Event"Trump Administration Foreign Policy Tracker: February" - FDD Experts

IS THIS THE END OF UNRWA? HEADLINE 1: The Islamic Republic of Iran has designated every European military as a terrorist organization. HEADLINE 2: Looks like the EU Commission has fired a senior official after a scandal involving Qatari influence and lavish gifts.HEADLINE 3: Hamas claims that it has killed several members of Israel-backed paramilitary groups operating in Gaza.HEADLINE 4: The Israelis have opened up the Rafah crossing in southern Gaza after a year of keeping it closed.HEADLINE 5: The government of South Africa and Israel are engaged in a nasty diplomatic spat right now. ---FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Asaf Romirowsky, executive director of Scholars for Peace in the Middle East (SPME) and the Association for the Study of the Middle East and Africa (ASMEA).Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

HEADLINE 1: Turkish authorities detained six people suspected of spying for Iran.HEADLINE 2: The Saudis are in town, led by the crown prince's brother.HEADLINE 3: South Africa reportedly is moving ahead with investigations into naval drills that took place in early January.--FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with FDD Senior Research Analyst Ahmad Sharawi.For all past episodes: https://bit.ly/3LENwPr--Featured FDD Pieces:"Iran Protests Highlight South Africa's Broken Moral Compass" - David May, The Algemeiner"Two Bad Apples Threaten to Spoil the Gaza Board of Peace" - Natalie Ecanow and Sinan Ciddi, National Review"In the Eye of the Storm" - Mark Dubowitz and Rich Goldberg, The Iran Breakdown

HEADLINE 1: A delegation of Hamas officials arrived on Monday in…wait for it…Turkey.HEADLINE 2: This is not a parody: Hamas wants to be part of Gaza's new government.HEADLINE 3: The USS Abraham Lincoln arrived in Middle Eastern waters yesterday.AND BONUS HEADLINE 4: The IDF is still hammering Hezbollah in Lebanon.--FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Council on Foreign Relations Senior Fellow Elliott Abrams, who formerly served as U.S. Special Representative for Iran and Venezuela.For all past episodes: https://bit.ly/3LENwPr--Featured FDD Pieces:"Israel's hostage agony finally ends — but its Gaza mission is far from over" - Mark Dubowitz, New York Post"Iranian Influence Operation Floods X With Anti-Protest Messaging" - Max Lesser and Maria Riofrio, FDD Policy Brief"Why Is Saudi Arabia Abandoning Peace?" - Hussain Abdul-Hussain, The National Interest

FDD Senior Research Analyst Natalie Ecanow timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a pre-recorded conversation between Jonathan Schanzer and Michael Rubin, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and director of policy analysis at the Middle East Forum.For all episodes: https://bit.ly/4qHfzNp

IS VENEZUELA CHINA'S REALITY CHECK? HEADLINE 1: Israel banned 29 Turkish individuals from entering the country.HEADLINE 2: Iran is reportedly turning to cryptocurrency to resuscitate its economy.HEADLINE 3: The Treasury Department slapped sanctions on a network of nonprofits tied to Hamas.HEADLINE 4: Israel is still schwacking Hezbollah in Lebanon.-- FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Craig Singleton, senior director of FDD's China Program.Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief-- Featured FDD Pieces: "Over the Barrel of a Gun: Syria's Deal With the SDF" - Ahmad Sharawi, Real Clear World"The mission behind Trump's Board of Peace is simple — and critics keep getting it wrong" - Jonathan Schanzer, New York Post"Assessing the China-Russia Threat Nexus in Technology and Information Warfare" - Craig Singleton, David Shedd, Ivana Stradner, and William Evanina, FDD Event

HEADLINE 1: Israel began demolishing UNRWA's headquarters in East Jerusalem.HEADLINE 2:  U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack, who also serves as Trump's Syria envoy, thinks that things are going well in Damascus. HEADLINE 3: The IDF began a sweeping counterterrorism operation in the West Bank city of Hebron.--FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Israeli American journalist Emily Schrader.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/--Featured FDD Pieces:"Persian Puzzles" - FDD's Foreign Podicy"As Iran's uprising intensifies, Israel cannot afford to sit this one out" - Saeed Ghasseminejad and Navid Mohebbi, Ynetnews"Canada's Bet on Beijing Puts USMCA at Risk" - Elaine Dezenski and Susan Soh

FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Steven A. Cook, the Eni Enrico Mattei Senior Fellow for MENA at the Council on Foreign Relations.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

THE NEW SYRIA AND ISRAEL'S SECURITYHEADLINE 1: Argentina is going after the Muslim Brotherhood.HEADLINE 2: The U.S. Treasury Department rolled out a new sanctions package in support of the Iranian people. HEADLINE 3: It's official. Phase two of the Gaza ceasefire has begun.HEADLINE 4: Things are still going boom in Lebanon.--FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with FDD Senior Advisor Jonathan Hessen.Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief-- FDD Featured Pieces: "The quiet way AI normalizes foreign influence" - Leah Siskind, Cyberscoop"Egypt Sentences Christian Researcher Under Blasphemy Law, Underscoring a Recurrent Breach in U.S.-Egypt Relations" - Mariam Wahba, FDD"Made in China, Paid by Seniors: Stopping the Surge of International Scams" - Nathan Picarsic, U.S. Senate Testimony

HEADLINE 1: The Trump administration designated three branches of the Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist organizations yesterday.HEADLINE 2: More than a year has passed since the assassination of Hamas mastermind Yahya Sinwar. You'll recall he was the man primarily responsible for the 10/7 slaughter.HEADLINE 3: The Kurdish National Army — which is the military wing of the Kurdistan Freedom Party — captured the IRGC headquarters in the western Iranian town of Kermanshah.--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/--Featured FDD Pieces:"Trump Administration Foreign Policy Tracker: January" - FDD Experts"Southern Exposure: Trump's Arrest of Maduro Brings Opportunities and Dangers" - Cliff May feat. Carrie Filipetti, Foreign Podicy"Mark Dubowitz: The regime clings to its ninth life" - Bill Roggio and Mark Dubowitz, Generation Jihad"Don't make the mistake Obama did, Mr. President, enforce your Iran ‘red line'" - Ahmad Sharawi, New York Post

FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Behnam Ben Taleblu, senior director of FDD's Iran Program.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

HOW ARE DOMESTIC POLITICS SHAPING ISRAEL'S NATIONAL SECURITY?HEADLINE 1: A big Gaza announcement is expected.HEADLINE 2: The Lebanese Armed Forces said it completed the first phase of its plan to deploy across south Lebanon and disarm non-state groups.HEADLINE 3: An Iranian hacking group claimed it identified an Israeli agent coordinating Mossad operations inside Iran.--FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Gadeer Kamal Mreeh, former member of Knesset (Israel's parliament) and founder and CEO of GKM Global Consulting LLC.Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief--Featured FDD Pieces: "Lebanon Must Become Independent of Saudi Arabia Too" - Hussain Abdul-Hussain, This is Beirut"Can Iran Hold the Line Against Its Protesters?" - Reuel Marc Gerecht and Ray Takeyh, The Wall Street Journal "How the UK Is Undermining US Indo-Pacific Security" - Alexander Gray and Cleo Paskal

HEADLINE 1: Five years after the Abraham Accords, Israel and Morocco are still going strong.HEADLINE 2: Over in Paris, Syria and Israel resumed security talks. And it looks like they might have made a breakthrough.HEADLINE 3: Gidon Saar has landed in Somaliland.--FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Carine Hajjar, an opinion journalist for The Washington Post.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief--Featured FDD Pieces:"Why These Iranian Protests Are Different" - Behnam Ben Taleblu, The Free Press"Recognizing Somaliland" - FDD's Foreign Podicy"Why Trump bared his teeth and nabbed Venezuela's Maduro — and it's not just drugs" - Jonathan Schanzer, New York Post

FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, senior director of FDD's Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation (CCTI).Learn more at: https://fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Ambassador Jeff Bartos, who serves as the U.S. Representative for UN Management and Reform.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

IS THE BONDI BEACH MASSACRE AUSTRALIA'S WAKE-UP CALL?HEADLINE 1: The United States just slapped new sanctions on Iran's shadow oil fleet. HEADLINE 2: Israel, Greece, and Cyprus are mulling a military coalition to deter the Turks.HEADLINE 3: U.S. MidEast envoy Steve Witkoff is heading to Gaza ceasefire talks…. In Miami. ---FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Joel Burnie, executive manager of the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council.Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief---Featured FDD Pieces:"It's time for Brussels to designate Yemen's Houthis as a terrorist organization' - Behnam Ben Taleblu and Bridget Toomey, Euractiv"Mostly quiet on the Gazan front" - Clifford D. May, The Washington Times"How Turkey Props up Venezuela" - Sinan Ciddi and William Doran, The National Interest

HEADLINE 1: Qatar is once again pushing Washington to sell it F-35s.HEADLINE 2: Israel facilitated the exit of more than 200 Palestinians from Gaza.HEADLINE 3: Hamas is abusing Gazans. Again.--FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Miriam Haart, who starred in the hit Netflix TV series My Unorthodox Life.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief--Featured FDD Pieces:"Lebanon Must Pick the Abraham Accords over the Muslim Brotherhood" - Hussain Abdul-Hussain, This Is Beirut"How to Finish off the Muslim Brotherhood" - Ahmad Sharawi, The National Interest"Is Bondi Beach a sign that ISIS is making a comeback?" - Seth J. Frantzman, The Jerusalem Post

FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with political satirist and "Oh My World" podcast host Hagar Chemali.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

SHOULD ISRAEL PARDON BIBI? HEADLINE 1: The United States seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela.HEADLINE 2: Israeli and Taiwanese officials recently conducted a series of secret meetings. HEADLINE 3: The U.S. and Israel wrapped up joint naval exercises yesterday.-- FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Aviva Klompas, co-founder and CEO of Boundless.Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief--Featured FDD Pieces: "Trojan Horse: China's Auto Threat to America" - Elaine Dezenski, Congressional Testimony "Fight To Keep China Out of U.S. K-12 Classrooms Comes to Congress" - Jennifer Richmond, FDD "A Free Venezuela Elevates U.S. Energy Security" - Saeed Ghasseminejad, RealClearWorld

HEADLINE 1: After taking a beating during the 12-day war, Iran is back to building up its ballistic missile arsenal.HEADLINE 2: Israeli authorities raided a vacant United Nations Relief and Works Agency facility in East Jerusalem.HEADLINE 3: The IDF discovered three crude rockets in the West Bank city of Tulkarem.--FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with activist, actress, and New York Times bestselling author Noa Tishby.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief--Featured FDD Pieces:"The Widening Gulf Between Iran and the Gulf" - Behnam Ben Taleblu and Norman T. Roule, FDD's Foreign Podicy"Al Jazeera's Academic Arm Platforms Hamas Denialism and Anti-Israel Propaganda" - Toby Dershowitz, FDD Insight"Anti-Israeli Countries' Attempt To Ban Israel From Eurovision Song Contest Falls Flat — With Help From Germany, Austria" - David May, New York Sun

FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Michal Cotler-Wunsch, CEO of The International Legal Forum (ILF) and former Member of Israel's Knesset (Parliament).Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

HEADLINE 1: Yesterday, Chinese President Xi Jinping said Beijing will provide $100 million to help with reconstruction and ease the humanitarian situation in Gaza.HEADLINE 2: The Pentagon deployed a new type of drone to the Middle East.HEADLINE 3: Iraq added Hezbollah and the Houthis to its asset freeze list.--FDD Senior Research Analyst Natalie Ecanow analyzes the latest headlines, followed by a pre-recorded conversation between Jon Schanzer and FDD Director of Impact and AI Research Fellow Leah Siskind.Learn more at: https://fdd.org/fddmorningbrief--Featured FDD Pieces:"America needs to stop being naive in Gaza" - Bonnie Glick, Washington Reporter"China's Influence Operation in US Education Was Supposed To Be Shut Down, But Did Closing the Confucius Institutes Only Make It Stronger?" - Jennifer Richmond, The Washington Free Beacon"Is Qatari Money Corrupting American Education?" - Natalie Ecanow, Townhall

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN SOUTHERN YEMEN?HEADLINE 1: Saudi Arabia is providing the Palestinian Authority with a $90 million grant.HEADLINE 2: Three Israeli soldiers were wounded in two separate attacks yesterday.HEADLINE 3: The IDF raided the offices in Ramallah and Hebron of an organization called the Union of Agricultural Work Committees.---FDD Senior Research Analyst Natalie Ecanow, filling in for Jonathan Schanzer, provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Southern Transition Council Special Representative Amr Al-Bidh.Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief---Featured FDD Pieces: "Trump is right to crack down on the Muslim Brotherhood" - Edmund Fitton-Brown, The Spectator"Japan Has Changed How the World Must Think About Taiwan" - Craig Singleton, The New York Times"Africa 2025: Things Fall Apart" - Clifford D. May, Foreign Podicy

Bradley Bowman, senior director of FDD's Center on Military and Political Power, provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Dana Stroul, who serves as Director of Research and Shelly and Michael Kassen Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

HEADLINE 1: Anyone heard of Binance? It's the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange — and it may well have facilitated $1 billion in transactions for Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist organizations — that's billion with a “b.”HEADLINE 2: The Palestinian economy is on the brink of collapse.HEADLINE 3: The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, or “GHF,” is wrapping up its operations in Gaza. --FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL).Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief--Featured FDD Pieces:"Iran Drops the Façade of Tolerance Toward Persian Jews" - Janatan Sayeh, National Review"Reconstructing Gaza: The devil is in the detail" - Ben Cohen, JNS"Oy, There's Too Much News" - The Commentary Magazine Podcast feat. Jonathan Schanzer

FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with former UK Ambassador to Yemen and current FDD Senior Fellow Edmund Fitton-Brown.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

WHAT CAN ISRAEL EXPECT FROM ITS NEIGHBORS?HEADLINE 1: The IDF carried out strikes against several Hezbollah weapons storage facilities in south Lebanon.HEADLINE 2: Israeli prosecutors charged seven men suspected of smuggling arms from Syria into Israel.HEADLINE 3: Israeli prosecutors charged seven men suspected of smuggling arms from Syria into Israel.--FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with former Israeli acting National Security Advisor BG (Res.) Prof. Jacob Nagel. Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief--Featured FDD Pieces:"New York, New York, it's a socialist town" - Clifford D. May, The Washington Times"Trump's Gaza peace plan is doomed — unless he shuts down terror-boosting UNRWA" - Enia Krivine and Richard Goldberg, New York Post"Is Iran Unraveling?" - Mark Dubowitz, The Iran Breakdown

HEADLINE 1: The U.N. Security Council blessed Trump's 20-point plan for Gaza.HEADLINE 2: Syria opened its first trial over the mass killings of Alawite minorities last spring.HEADLINE 3: Yee Haw! The State of Texas designated the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization.--FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Eran Lahav, the head of the Middle East Department at the David Institute for Policy & Research of IDSF.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief--Featured FDD Pieces:"Maritime Protection of Taiwan's Energy Vulnerability" - FDD Memo"US Military Dominance Is the Backbone of Prosperity" - Saeed Ghasseminejad, The National Interest"What Washington Should Demand From Riyadh Before Providing the F-35" - Bradley Bowman and Justin Leopold-Cohen, Real Clear Defense

FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, a Gaza native who serves as the founder and director of the Realign for Palestine project at the Atlantic Council.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN MBS COMES TO TOWN?HEADLINE 1: The U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on over two dozen targets that support Iran's ballistic missile and drone production networks.HEADLINE 2: U.S. Central Command provided an update on operational activity in Syria.HEADLINE 3: Israeli forces dismantled a Hamas network in the West Bank.--FDD Senior Research Analyst Natalie Ecanow, filling in for Jonathan Schanzer, provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Atlantic Council Nonresident Senior Fellow Sarah Zaaimi.Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief--Featured FDD Pieces: "Previewing the Trump-MBS Meeting" - Jonathan Schanzer, Edmund Fitton-Brown, and Bradley Bowman, FDD"With voting in Iraq complete, government formation begins" - Bridget Toomey, FDD's Long War Journal "The war against Christians" - Clifford D. May, The Washington Times

HEADLINE 1: French President Emmanuel Macron hosted Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.HEADLINE 2: The Houthis might be hitting pause on their attacks against Israel and Red Sea shipping.HEADLINE 3: Iran said it dismantled a spy network linked to Israel and the United States.--FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with FDD Adjunct Fellow Seth Frantzman, who serves as senior Middle East correspondent and analyst at The Jerusalem Post.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief--Featured FDD Pieces"Tehran's Crisis is Iran's Reckoning" - Janatan Sayeh, Real Clear World"Fifty Years of Gaslighting Israel at the U.N." - David May and Ben Cohen, National Review"Erhurman's election a step towards peace, but beware of Ankara's appetite" - Sinan Ciddi and William Doran, Kathimerini

FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Ilan Berman, Senior Vice President of the American Foreign Policy Council.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

WHAT HISTORICAL LESSONS MUST SHAPE GAZA'S FUTURE? HEADLINE 1: Israel is at its wit's end with the porous Egyptian border.HEADLINE 2: Israel and Greece wrapped up joint military exercises this week. HEADLINE 3: Turkey held a terrorist summit in Istanbul on Wednesday.--FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Hebrew University Professor Netta Barak-Corren.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/--Featured FDD Pieces:"Learning the Right Lessons From ‘A House of Dynamite'" - Bradley Bowman and David Adesnik, Real Clear Defense"Iranians Challenge the Regime by Celebrating Cyrus the Great" - Janatan Sayeh and Behnam Ben Taleblu, FDD"The US must not endorse Russia and China's vision for cybersecurity" - John Yoo and Ivana Stradner, The Hill

HEADLINE 1: Oman's foreign minister called on countries in the Gulf to engage with…wait for it… Iran.HEADLINE 2: The U.S. sent a draft resolution to the UN Security Council calling for the implementation of an International Stabilization Force, or “ISF,” which would operate in Gaza until 2027.HEADLINE 3: On Monday, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said that Beirut has no choice but to sit down and talk with Israel.--FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with FDD Research Analyst Mariam Wahba, whose work focuses on Egypt and minority communities in the Middle East.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/--Featured FDD Pieces:"Israel 2040: Benny Gantz's Vision for Security and Cooperation" - FDD Event"How the U.S. Can Stay Ahead of China in Space" - Jack Burnham and Sophie McDowall, The Cipher Brief"Aoun's Push for Talks with Israel Must Overcome Hezbollah's Ploys" - Hussain Abdul-Hussain, This is Beirut

FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with FDD Research Manager David May.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

HAMAS IS TESTING THE WATERS --FDD Senior Fellow Lt. Col. (Ret.) Jonathan Conricus provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Gadi Ezra, former director of Israel's National Public Diplomacy Unit.Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief--Featured FDD Pieces:"Is Trump Getting Played by Xi?" - Matt Pottinger, The Free Press"Trump rallies the allies to break China's dangerous mineral, rare earths monopoly" - Elaine Dezenski, New York Post"How Turkish Arms End Up in African Conflicts" - Sinan Ciddi and William Doran, Foreign Policy

HEADLINE 1: Israeli forces eliminated three terrorists during a counterterrorism operation in a village called Kafr Qud.HEADLINE 2: The Trump administration announced a new aid package for minorities in Syria.HEADLINE 3: Turkish prosecutors filed new charges against Istanbul's mayor.--FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Joseph Braude, president of the Center for Peace Communications.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief--Featured FDD Pieces:"Patient Extremism: The Many Faces of the Muslim Brotherhood" - FDD Memo"Qatar's Calculated Bet on the Islamic Republic" - Saeed Ghasseminejad, RealClearWorld"Iraqi polls grapple with Israeli and Iranian relations as country prepares to vote" - Hussain Abdul-Hussain, New York Post

FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Robert Satloff, the Segal Executive Director of The Washington Institute for Near East Policy.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

WITH FRIENDS LIKE QATAR, WHO NEEDS ENEMIES?HEADLINE 1: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wrapped up his tour of the Gulf with a trip to Oman.HEADLINE 2: The warring Hamas and Fatah factions convened for discussions in Egypt yesterday to talk unity.HEADLINE 3: Back to Turkey, where the country has renewed military deployment mandates for Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq. --FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with writer and Middle East analyst Eitan Fischberger.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief--Featured FDD Pieces:"Georgian Dream's Power Grab Sets Stage to Outlaw Opposition" - Keti Korkiya, FDD Policy Brief"The UN Cybercrime Treaty: A Trojan Horse for Suppressing Dissent" - Ivana Stradner and Emily Hester, FDD Memo"To Preserve the Gaza Deal, Keep Qatar at Arm's Length" - Natalie Ecanow, FDD Policy Brief

FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Ghaith Al-Omari, senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy who previously held various positions within the Palestinian Authority.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/--HEADLINE 1: Hamas's base of operations in Turkey is reportedly growing.HEADLINE 2: Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani slammed Israel for committing genocide and violating the ceasefire in Gaza. Did he mention Hamas's October 7 massacre? Nope.HEADLINE 3: The new Syrian regime seized a massive haul of captagon pills.BONUS HEADLINE 4: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hosted Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Rashad yesterday.--Featured FDD Pieces:"5 Ways the United States and Europe Must Help Ukraine Now" - RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, FDD Insight"How the Muslim Brotherhood Built a Media Empire" - Mariam Wahba, The Free Press"The New Middle East and the Challenges to Israel" - Jonathan Schanzer, Commentary

WHAT ARE THE TALKING POINTS OF THE NEW REGIME IN SYRIA?FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Michael Rubin, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and director of policy analysis at the Middle East Forum.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief