FDD Morning Brief

FDD Senior Vice President Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Brian Katulis of the Middle East Institute (MEI).

Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

FDD Senior Vice President Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Israeli journalist and writer Amir Tibon.

Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

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 Senior Vice President Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, a native of Gaza, and Resident Senior Fellow at The Atlantic Council.

Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

FDD Senior Vice President Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Hezbollah expert Matthew Levitt of The Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

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?

For more: https://www.fdd.org/events/2024/10/01/iran-escalates-middle-east-war-with-direct-attacks-on-israel-fdd-sitrep/

FDD Senior Vice President Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with David Siegel, former Israel Consul General to the Southwestern United States and President of ELNET-US.

Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

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?

For more: https://www.fdd.org/events/2024/09/27/israels-strike-on-hezbollah-hq-fdd-sitrep/

Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XhluLHFo-U

FDD Senior Vice President Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Iranian-American attorney and activist Elica Le Bon.

Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

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/