FDD Morning Brief

Robert Greenway, Director of the Allison Center for National Defense at the Heritage Foundation, shares insights from his time in the Trump administration. He discusses the impact of Yahya Sinwar's death on Hamas and strategies for U.S. involvement in the region. Greenway analyzes the geopolitical implications of the Abraham Accords and military operations in Yemen. He also addresses rising anti-Semitism in the U.S., emphasizing the need for initiatives like Project Esther to combat this issue and the role of virtual currencies in financing terrorism.

Edmund Fitton-Brown, a former British diplomat with extensive experience in the Middle East and the UN, shares his insights on the current multi-front conflict in the region. He discusses Hezbollah's military tactics and internal dynamics, as well as the rise in Iran’s oil revenues and its implications for terrorism funding. Fitton-Brown also addresses the complexities of defining terrorism at the UN and the challenges posed by the Houthi movement in Yemen. Additionally, he explores the geopolitical tensions involving Hezbollah, Qatar, and the influence of China.

Anna Borshchevskaya, a Senior Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, dives deep into Russia's growing influence in the Middle East. She discusses Yahya Sinwar's role in recent tensions from Gaza and the complicated geopolitical dynamics in Lebanon. The conversation reveals the intricate Russia-Iran alliance amid the Ukraine conflict and highlights the effects on regional stability. Borshchevskaya also unpacks Russia-Israel relations, advocating for a more strategic U.S. response to counterbalance destabilizing partnerships.

Brian Katulis, a Senior Fellow for U.S. Foreign Policy at the Middle East Institute, brings his expertise in navigating complex geopolitical landscapes. He discusses the rising tensions in the Middle East, particularly focusing on the U.S. foreign policy towards Hezbollah and ongoing conflicts with Hamas. Katulis critiques the Biden administration's approach to regional instability, highlighting both its support for Israel and failures in humanitarian negotiations. He also examines Iran's influence in the region, advocating for a more proactive, bipartisan strategy to tackle these challenges.

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/

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/

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 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/

FDD Senior Vice President Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Karen Brunwasser, CSO of FeelBeit, an award-winning Jerusalem-based arts organization.Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/