FDD Morning Brief

In this session, Brigadier General (Res.) Professor Jacob Nagel, a senior fellow at FDD and former Israeli national security advisor, shares deep insights into the ongoing military conflict between Israel and Iran. Topics include the significant losses for Iran and their impact on regional stability. Nagel discusses the evaluation of Iran's nuclear ambitions, the complexities surrounding negotiations between Israel and Iran, and the hostage situation in Gaza, emphasizing the need for balance in international diplomacy.

Lt. Col. (Ret.) Jonathan Conricus, a former spokesperson for the IDF, and Bradley Bowman, an expert in military strategy, delve into the precarious balance of power in the Middle East. They discuss Israel's military actions targeting Iran's nuclear ambitions and the resulting challenges in evaluating their effectiveness. The conversation highlights the resilience of the Israeli people amid conflict, the implications of a recent ceasefire, and the need for credible intelligence to navigate these geopolitical complexities.

In this discussion, retired Admiral Mark Montgomery, Behnam Ben Taleblu, a noted analyst on Iranian dynamics, and Bradley Bowman, a military strategy expert, delve into recent U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear sites. They dissect the tactical execution and complexities of these operations. The group also examines the rising threats to U.S. bases in the Middle East and Israel's air superiority over Iran. Furthermore, they address the perilous alliances forming between Iran, China, Russia, and North Korea, underscoring the geopolitical implications for regional security.

Mark Dubowitz, Chief Executive of FDD and host of The Iran Breakdown, shares fascinating insights on the volatile dynamics between Iran and Israel. He discusses Iran's recent cyber theft, which cost them $90 million, highlighting the escalating military confrontations likened to a heavyweight bout. The conversation also dives into public perceptions of Iran as a national security threat in the U.S. and the complexities of navigating Iran's internal political turmoil amidst external pressures, especially regarding its nuclear ambitions.

Behnam Ben Taleblu is the Senior Director of FDD's Iran Program and a leading expert on Iran's military strategy. In this discussion, he dives into Iran's growing missile capabilities and Israel’s effective countermeasures, revealing the shifting landscape of regional power. He also addresses the Iranian people's struggle against their regime, highlighting their national pride amid discontent. Additionally, Taleblu analyzes the complexities of U.S. military involvement and emerging geopolitical maneuvers, including potential dangers posed by outside interventions.

ISRAEL, THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC, AND THE IRANIAN PEOPLE--As tensions escalate following Israel’s strike on Iran, FDD’s Lt. Col. (Ret.) Jonathan Conricus offers timely analysis and is joined by Iran expert Beni Sabti of The Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) to assess the fallout.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

Israel has launched precision strikes against nuclear and military facilities in Iran — just days after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) formally declared Iran in violation of its nuclear nonproliferation commitments for the first time since 2005.The Islamic Republic — closer than ever to acquiring a nuclear weapon — had dismissed U.S. diplomatic overtures and accelerated its nuclear program in ways that clearly exceed any plausible civilian use.What are the implications for regional security and America’s allies? How will these developments affect Iran’s nuclear trajectory? And how might continued escalation shift the strategic balance across the Middle East and beyond?To deconstruct, Jonathan Schanzer hosts an all-star lineup of experts: RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Jonathan Conricus, Eyal Hulata, and Mark Dubowitz.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

TURKEY'S NEO-OTTOMAN VISIONHEADLINE 1: The U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on a network of sham charities that fund Hamas and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, or “PFLP.”HEADLINE 2: Israel carried out strikes against Yemen’s Hodeida port.HEADLINE 3: The IDF took out two Hezbollah operatives in southern Lebanon. --FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Dr. Hay Eytan Cohen Yanarocak — author, researcher, and one of the world’s foremost experts on Turkey — from the Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies at Tel Aviv University.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

RUSSIA, UKRAINE, AND ... GRETA THUNBERG? HEADLINE 1: Iranian intelligence agencies say they’ve acquired a cache of sensitive Israeli documents.HEADLINE 2: Al Qaeda in Yemen is back in the spotlight.HEADLINE 3: The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon may soon be a thing of the past.--FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with FDD Founder and President Cliff May.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

Sinan Ciddi, Director of FDD's Turkey Program, shares his insights on Turkey's complex internal challenges and its evolving international role. He discusses the political turmoil in Turkey, including the implications of opposition figure imprisonments and authoritarian tactics by Erdogan. The conversation also touches on Turkey's shifting relationship with Israel and the geopolitical significance of recent defense developments, like potential F-35 sales, highlighting the intricate dynamics shaping the Middle East.