Foundation for Defense of Democracies

Analysts from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies warn that including Turkey in the F-35 program is the wrong move. The article cites Russia, Hamas, and China as reasons why Turkey shouldn't receive the F-35.

Natalie Ecanow, a research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, estimates at least $400 billion in Qatari spending in the US. The article discusses Qatar's financial influence in the United States.

A report by Natalie Ecanow of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies discusses $400 billion in Qatari influence spending in the US. The article is sponsored content.

A proposed $300 billion investment fund for Iran under a U.S.–Iran memorandum of understanding faces legal challenges due to U.S. sanctions targeting sectors controlled by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Experts warn the fund's feasibility is questionable under current U.S. law, which could require temporary waivers or new licenses to bypass sanctions, complicating long-term investor confidence.

The article discusses the implications of the recent escalation between Iran and Israel on regional issues, featuring analysis from Miad Maleki and David Makovsky on how this conflict affects peace efforts in the Middle East.

NATO's eastern flank countries are accelerating defense spending to counter Russian threats amid pressure from President Donald Trump, while Western European economies face challenges in meeting new defense benchmarks. Eastern European members like Poland, Romania, and the Baltic states are prioritizing military upgrades, with NATO aiming for 5% GDP defense spending by 2035.

A U.S. official reported that Donald Trump reprimanded Benjamin Netanyahu for planning strikes on Beirut, which could derail U.S.-Iran negotiations. Trump appears to avoid direct confrontation with Iran, opting for temporary stability over lasting peace, while Iran's top negotiator asserts that concessions are achieved through military readiness, not dialogue.

The Trump administration expanded U.S. sanctions on Cuba to target foreign companies and banks dealing with military-linked entities like Grupo de Administración Empresarial S.A. (GAESA), aiming to close loopholes allowing foreign support of the Cuban regime. Critics argue the move could exacerbate humanitarian issues.

Colombia's first-round presidential election saw conservative candidate Abelardo de la Espriella, known as 'The Tiger,' secure a surprise victory, positioning him for a June 21 runoff against leftist Ivan Cepeda. De la Espriella's campaign focuses on a hardline approach to criminal organizations and security, contrasting with President Gustavo Petro's 'Total Peace' policy. Analysts link his success to a regional shift in Latin America against leftist governments.

U.S. and Iranian negotiators are nearing a temporary framework agreement, but the fate of Iran's enriched uranium stockpile remains unresolved. Iranian officials insist on retaining enriched uranium as a red line, while President Trump has vowed Iran 'will not have a nuclear weapon' and suggested the U.S. could 'take' the material if necessary. Experts warn that retaining uranium, particularly the 60% enriched stockpile, could allow Iran to rapidly advance toward weapons-grade enrichment.

U.S. and Iranian negotiators face unresolved questions over Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile, with Trump insisting Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons and experts warning retained uranium could enable rapid weapons-grade enrichment. Airstrikes on nuclear facilities damaged infrastructure but left the material intact, complicating efforts to secure or neutralize it under international oversight.

Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, plays a key role in U.S.-led Iran crisis negotiations, despite decades of U.S. accusations against Pakistan for harboring militants and nuclear proliferation. Trump praises Pakistan's mediation, highlighting the complex U.S.-Pakistan relationship marked by strategic reliance amid historical distrust.

The Trump administration's economic pressure on Iran may be causing the regime to dump oil into the Gulf, according to experts, as a massive suspected oil slick has been spotted near Kharg Island, Iran's main oil export terminal. The incident is seen as evidence that Tehran's oil infrastructure is buckling under US pressure. The blockade and sanctions are restricting Iran's ability to move crude out of Kharg Island.

China has ordered companies to disregard US sanctions targeting Iranian oil, forcing a direct test of Washington's ability to enforce its crackdown on Iran. The move represents a shift from years of opaque workarounds to more explicit state-backed resistance. Beijing signals it will not cooperate with US efforts to cut off a key source of revenue for Iran.

China has ordered companies to disregard US sanctions targeting Iranian oil, forcing a direct test of Washington's ability to enforce its crackdown on Iran. The move represents a shift from years of opaque workarounds to more explicit state-backed resistance. China remains the primary destination for Iranian crude, with much of the country's sanctioned oil exports flowing to Chinese refiners despite mounting US pressure.

The US has proposed a new pipeline network, ARAM Express, to reduce reliance on the Strait of Hormuz amid tensions with Iran. The project aims to create multiple export pathways for oil, gas, and petrochemicals. The proposal relies on international participation and investment from European and Asian buyers.

China is developing AI-enabled robotic drones, known as 'wolf packs', to support combat operations in a potential war, including a possible invasion of Taiwan. The drones are designed to scout, supply, and operate alongside troops. China's development of these systems could give it an advantage in scaling production.

China is developing AI-enabled robotic wolf packs designed to support combat operations in a future war, including a possible invasion of Taiwan. The quadruped robots can navigate difficult terrain and operate in coordinated groups. China's ability to leverage its commercial technology sector could give it advantages in scaling production.

Iran is accused of supplying attack drones to Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in Sudan's civil war, leading to civilian casualties. The conflict, now in its fourth year, has killed up to 400,000 people and displaced 11 million. An Iranian woman in the U.S. was arrested for brokering a $70 million drone deal to Sudan, while both SAF and rebel Rapid Support Forces (RSF) increasingly use drones against civilians.

Lawmakers and industry experts are debating whether data centers should be designated as a standalone critical infrastructure sector to enhance federal protection against cyber and physical threats. Recent attacks on Amazon data centers and growing reliance on cloud providers like AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud have intensified the discussion, with the UK already recognizing data centers as critical infrastructure.

Gazans in Deir al-Balah are holding local elections for the first time in 22 years, but experts warn the vote could empower Hamas, which refuses to disarm. Analysts like Jonathan Schanzer and Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib argue the election risks legitimizing Hamas and undermining ceasefire efforts, as the group maintains control through taxation, education systems, and police presence.

U.S. economic pressure on Iran has reached a historic peak, combining sanctions, a naval blockade, and targeted disruptions of oil exports. Former Treasury sanctions expert Miad Maleki warns Iran's economy is on the verge of collapse, with daily losses of $435 million, triple-digit inflation, and risks of gasoline shortages and unrest.

Nuclear experts support President Trump's stance against Iran's uranium enrichment program, rejecting Iran's claim to retain nuclear capabilities. Iran's Foreign Ministry refuses to transfer enriched uranium, while experts argue any remaining infrastructure could allow Iran to pursue nuclear weapons after Trump's presidency.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has blocked President Masoud Pezeshkian’s appointments and established a security cordon around Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, effectively assuming control over key state functions. Analysts warn this shift could lead to a more confrontational Iran, with the IRGC rejecting civilian oversight and escalating regional tensions.

Ahmad Vahidi, Iran’s newly appointed Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) chief, is a hardline figure with a history of involvement in global attacks and repressive tactics. Analysts warn his rise signals a shift toward increased militarization and potential conflict, as U.S.-Iran tensions escalate amid a fragile ceasefire.

A report warns that Chinese-produced cellular modules in smart home devices pose a national security risk to the U.S. The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) highlights that Quectel and Fibocom control nearly half the global market for these components.

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov asserted Iran's 'inalienable' right to enrich uranium for civilian purposes, defying U.S. President Donald Trump's demands to eliminate Iran's nuclear program. The U.S. and Iran's stalled negotiations highlight tensions over nuclear control, with Russia and China opposing U.S. unilateral approaches.

The Trump administration's decision to walk away from U.S.-Iran nuclear talks in Pakistan was praised by experts for rejecting Iran's enrichment capabilities. Experts argue Iran's uranium enrichment poses a nuclear weapons risk, and a proposed 20-year moratorium on enrichment faced opposition from Senator Lindsey Graham.

The U.S. is considering establishing a military base in Somaliland to counter Iran and Houthis in critical Red Sea and Gulf of Aden routes. The move comes as tensions rise over control of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key shipping lane. The U.S. has existing bases in Djibouti but faces growing political friction there.

Iran is expanding its influence in Georgia, a former Soviet republic, to bypass sanctions and support its war efforts. The U.S. Treasury has sanctioned Iranian entities in Georgia linked to the IRGC, including Al-Mustafa University, which spreads Iranian ideology and recruits operatives.