FDD Morning Brief

HOW DID ORDINARY IRANIANS RESPOND TO ISRAEL’S 12-DAY WAR AGAINST THE REGIME’S NUCLEAR PROGRAM?HEADLINE 1: Israel is reportedly in talks with several countries to take in Palestinians from Gaza.HEADLINE 2: Ali Larijani, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, visited Beirut this week.HEADLINE 3: Turkey and Syria signed a defense cooperation agreement.BONUS HEADLINE 4: France, Germany, and the UK may reimpose sanctions on Iran.--FDD Executive Director Jonathan Schanzer provides timely updates and in-depth analysis of the latest Middle East headlines, followed by a conversation with FDD Research Analyst Janatan Sayeh, who specializes in Iranian domestic affairs and the regime’s malign influence in the region.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/--Featured FDD articles:"The Houthis and the U.N.’s Ship of Fools" by Max Meizlish and Bridget Toomey"Ukraine peace is in reach — if Trump meets Putin’s demands with US vigor" by RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery and John Hardie"America’s fair-weather friends" by Cliff May

IS SYRIA'S NEW STRONGMAN UP TO THE TASK? HEADLINE 1: Iran reported a new statistic about last month’s 12-day war. Between June 13 and 24: Iranian police arrested 21,000 people.HEADLINE 2: The evidence against Hamas’s claim of starvation in Gaza is mounting, even as the accusations against Israel continue to fly.HEADLINE 3: The IDF eliminated five armed terrorists masquerading as World Central Kitchen workers.--FDD Executive Director Jonathan Schanzer provides timely updates and in-depth analysis of the latest Middle East headlines, followed by a conversation with FDD Research Analyst Ahmad Sharawi, who specializes in the Levant.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/--Featured FDD articles: "Analysis: Armenia–Azerbaijan deal worries Iran" by Janatan Sayeh"U.S. and Partners Conclude Month of Military Exercises in the Pacific While Eyeing China" by Cameron McMillan and Roc Iore"Mapping a Shadow War: Explosions Across Iran After the 12-Day War" by FDD Visuals Team and NUFDI

ISRAELI MOSSAD OPERATIVES ARE SPYING IN IRAN WHILE SOME ORDINARY ISRAELIS ARE SPYING FOR IRAN.HEADLINE 1: Iran has sent its surviving nuclear scientists into hiding.HEADLINE 2: The IDF foiled another attempt to smuggle weapons from Egypt into Israel.HEADLINE 3: White House envoy Steve Witkoff met with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al-Thani in Ibiza, Spain over the weekend.--FDD Executive Director Jonathan Schanzer provides timely updates and in-depth analysis of the latest Middle East headlines, followed by a conversation with journalist Dan Raviv, host of “The Mossad Files” podcast.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

HOW DO TRUMP VOTERS VIEW U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY ISSUES?HEADLINE 1: The United Nations has finally engaged with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, or “GHF.”HEADLINE 2: The Lebanese government approved a U.S. proposal to disarm Hezbollah by the end of 2025. HEADLINE 3: Israel signed a major energy export deal with Egypt.--FDD Executive Director Jonathan Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Carrie Filipetti, executive director of The Vandenberg Coalition.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

Haviv Rettig Gur, Middle East analyst and host of the Ask Haviv Anything podcast, delves into the complex Israeli public opinion regarding the war in Gaza. He discusses the turmoil caused by Hamas and the implications of potential military strategies on civilian lives. The conversation also addresses the contentious subject of recognizing a Palestinian state, shedding light on its impact on Israel’s international standing. Additionally, Gur highlights the divergent views among Israeli Jews and Arabs, emphasizing the intricate dynamics shaping the conflict.

Andrew Fox, a research fellow at the Henry Jackson Society and a former British military member, shares his insights on the current situation in Gaza. He discusses the complexities of Israel’s military strategy and the dire humanitarian situation, emphasizing the challenges of aid distribution amidst ongoing conflict. Fox critiques media narratives and highlights Turkey's involvement with Hamas, while addressing the implications of recent high-profile visits by U.S. officials. His firsthand experiences shed light on the urgent need for effective humanitarian responses in the region.

Michael Oren, former Israeli Ambassador to the U.S., IDF veteran, and bestselling author, shares his insights on the current isolation of Israel and the geopolitical landscape. He discusses the implications of new sanctions against the Palestinian Authority and the ongoing calls for Hezbollah to disarm. Oren dives into the complexities of Palestinian state recognition and its effect on the peace process, while weighing military triumphs against international scrutiny. His expertise sheds light on the delicate balance Israel faces amid evolving conflicts.

GAZA FAMINE CLAIMS AND ISRAEL'S INTERNATIONAL ISOLATIONHEADLINE 1: Syrian refugees displaced during the country’s civil war are starting to return home.HEADLINE 2: The IDF has released an assessment of its Fall 2024 campaign against Hezbollah.HEADLINE 3: The Houthis have again threatened to escalate attacks against international shipping.--FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Nadav Eyal, an award-winning Israeli journalist affiliated with Yedioth Ahronoth and Ynetnews.Learn more at: https://fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

JORDAN'S DELICATE BALANCING ACTHEADLINE 1: Israel has taken a good first step by implementing daily tactical pauses in Gaza.HEADLINE 2: As if to underscore the need for a pause, two more Israelis were killed in action.HEADLINE 3: As if we didn’t have enough Gaza news to cover today, President Trump is reportedly rethinking his Gaza strategy.--FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Aaron Magid, former Amman-based journalist and author of a biography of Jordan's King Abdullah.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

IS LEBANON'S FUTURE BRIGHT OR BLEAK?HEADLINE 1: Saudi Arabia announced $6.4 billion worth of investments in Syria.HEADLINE 2: Another country is poised to join South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.HEADLINE 3: 8 Israeli soldiers were injured yesterday.--FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with David Daoud, FDD Senior Fellow and expert on Lebanon and Hezbollah.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief