FDD is a Washington, DC-based nonpartisan research institute focusing on national security and foreign policy.
FDD does not accept donations from any foreign governments.
Subscribe to FDD
Receive FDD's latest research and analysis
Trending Issues
Iran
Houthis emphasize solidarity and coordination with Iran-led Axis of Resistance
FDD's Long War Journal
Trump’s Blockade Is Zeroing Out Iran’s Oil Exports
Policy Brief
China
Nvidia chips reach China’s military and Commerce department allowing Volvo sales despite Chinese concerns
The John Batchelor Show
China Introduces New Outbound Investment Laws To Prevent U.S. Decoupling
Policy Brief
Featured Experts
Mark Dubowitz
Chief Executive
- Iran Sanctions
- Iran Human Rights
- Syria
- Iran Missiles
- Iran
- Iran Global Threat Network
- Hezbollah
- Iran-backed Terrorism
- Sanctions and Illicit Finance
- Cyber
- Iran Nuclear
Jonathan Schanzer
Executive Director
- Palestinian Politics
- Iran
- Iran Sanctions
- Iran Global Threat Network
- Hezbollah
- Iran-backed Terrorism
- Turkey
- Jihadism
- Sanctions and Illicit Finance
RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery
CCTI Senior Director and Senior Fellow
Bradley Bowman
CMPP Senior Director
Behnam Ben Taleblu
Iran Program Senior Director and Senior Fellow
- Iran
- Iran Sanctions
- Iran Missiles
- Iran Human Rights
- Iran Politics and Economy
- Iran Global Threat Network
- Sanctions and Illicit Finance
Elaine K. Dezenski
CEFP Senior Director and Head
Craig Singleton
China Program Senior Director and Senior Fellow
Ivana Stradner
Research Fellow
What they're saying
"Mr. Dubowitz’s campaign to draw attention to what he saw as the Iran nuclear deal's flaws has taken its place among the most consequential ever undertaken by a Washington think tank leader."
New York Times
“The Foundation for Defense of Democracies understands as well as anyone that we are now in an era, once again, of Great Power Competition, primarily with the Chinese Communist Party.”
Marco Rubio
U.S. Secretary of State and Acting National Security Advisor
"I would like to express my appreciation to the FDD for its long-term focus on Taiwan and for continuing to increase the attention paid to Taiwan’s defense and social resilience."
Lai Ching-te
President of Taiwan
“FDD is highly influential in the area of public policy … I would like to thank FDD for publishing numerous articles advocating for international support of Taiwan.”
Tsai Ing-wen
Former President of Taiwan
“Thank you for all of FDD’s work… it is so critical to our fight in the United States against terror and against those who seek to do us harm” … “[FDD has always] held Iran accountable for their continued nuclear activity and for their continued terror activity….which is key to America’s national security and our fight globally against terror, against Iran and its proxies, and against Hezbollah and Hamas and Palestinian Jihad.”
Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ)
“What FDD puts out [in] the national and international conversation, … you really are … a repository of knowledge on so many critical issues.”
Mike Waltz
"Thank you to FDD…for the many, many years of great work that you’ve done. I've known the organization and relied on its expertise long before this conversation today."
Jessica Lewis
Former Assistant Secretary for Political-Military Affairs, U.S. Department of State
"I will tell you that FDD has been such a partner. Whether it is dealing with the Iran deal and the flaws that were in it, all the way to human shields and all the things that we need to do to combat it, you've been a partner in a time where we need partners. And so I appreciate that very much."
Amb. Nikki R. Haley
Former US Ambassador to the United Nations
“Nobody makes the case better than FDD that the Islamic Republic is a threat to the region, its own people and the U.S., and that it needs to be dealt with, not wished away.”
Wall Street Journal
Weekend Interview
“I would add my own thanks to the FDD and the Center on Military and Political Power for … showing how important it is that we are talking, both on the military and the civilian side, about the importance of being prepared to protect and advance our national security objectives. That's exactly the kind of conversations that we're seeking to help our European allies and partners have with their citizenry. Thank you.”
Amb. Kate Marie Byrnes
Civilian Deputy and Foreign Policy Advisor, U.S. European Command
"A record low for the reach of petrodollars: CIA & FDD fake news w/ selective AlQaeda docs re: Iran can't whitewash role of US allies in 9/11"
Javad Zarif
Iran's Former Foreign Minister
FDD's Long War Journal [is] the best source of public information on terrorism.
Michael Morell
former Acting and Deputy Director, Central Intelligence Agency
“The Foundation is making a difference across the world.”
George W. Bush
Former President
Overnight Brief: June 5, 2026
Read Full BriefToday In Issues:
FDD Research & Analysis
- Today at 8:30am (ET): "FDD Morning Brief," FDD Event
- "The U.S. Needs Its Mideast Bases," The Wall Street Journal
- "6 Reasons Why Qatar’s U.S. Financial Footprint Warrants Scrutiny," FDD Insight
- "U.S. Must Apply Strict Conditions Before Lifting Syria’s Terrorism Designation," FDD Policy Brief
- "Gaza: Smoldering battlefield?" Generation Jihad (FDD's Long War Journal)
The Must-Reads
- Renewed Israel-Lebanon ceasefire is already under strain
- 'Turning a new page': Israel to open first ever embassy in Slovenia
- Trump says he does not need deal with Iran to get enriched uranium
- UN nuclear watchdog says it’s been unable to inspect Iranian facilities
- Iran, Russia sign $25 billion nuclear cooperation deal as Tehran presses ahead amid US talks
- JPost’s Eric R. Mandel: We cannot miss this opportunity to open Hormuz permanently
- Real-Time satellite intelligence is making Ukraine’s drone strikes deadlier than ever
- Zelenskiy, in open letter, invites Putin to talks to end the war
- Hidden chemical weapons sites emerge in Syria amid fragile security transition
- China's Xi to visit North Korea in push for deeper ties
- Exclusive: Satellite images show suspected structure at disputed South China Sea atoll, but later gone
- Somali military and opposition-allied militias trade fire ahead of anti-government protests
