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 war

The 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/

In the face of growing tensions between the United States and the People’s Republic of China, Taiwan is emerging as a pivotal flashpoint. As America strategizes its response, careful consideration and planning are paramount to address the challenges ahead.

Security analyst Dmitri Alperovitch has a timely new book out with Garrett M. Graff that dives into how America can beat China in the race for the 21st century. World on the Brink outlines a comprehensive roadmap for the United States and its allies to avert this impending disaster. To discuss these issues, FDD’s China Program hosts a conversation with Dmitri Alperovitch, as well as Ivan Kanapathy, senior vice president of Beacon Global Strategies, and RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, senior director of FDD's Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation. The discussion will be moderated by Ellen Nakashima, national security reporter for The Washington Post, with remarks by FDD's China Program Director Craig Singleton.

For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/events/2024/06/04/flashpoints-and-high-stakes-americas-blueprint-to-counter-china/