FDD's Foreign Podicy

Just as Putin launched the largest drone assault of the war, President Trump overruled an order from the Pentagon that had halted the delivery of munitions to Ukraine. And despite what pundits say, new polling says his base isn’t mad about it. Cliff May is joined by Carrie Filipetti of the Vandenberg Coalition to break down its polling data that shows most of Trump’s base back peace through strength, see Russia and Iran as serious threats, support sanctions, and trust Trump to act decisively when force is needed. As it turns out, so-called "America First" voters want America to lead.

Guest host Bradley Bowman is joined by U.S. Air Force pilots Lt. Col. Brian “Bud” Leitzke and Lt. Col. Kevin “Rowdy” Murphy for an exclusive firsthand account of April 13, 2024, when Iran launched over 300 drones and missiles at Israel. Bud and Rowdy's squadron scrambled into the night sky in one of the largest U.S. air combat missions in years. What followed was a high-stakes, real-time defense of Israeli and American interests.

NATO summits are usually dry and wonky affairs. This one was different.To unpack what was said, what wasn’t, and what actually matters, host Cliff May is joined by his FDD colleagues RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery and Bradley Bowman to discuss alliance politics, military power projection, strategic signaling, and more.

Israel and Iran are at war. To break down what’s happening and what could come next, host Cliff May is joined by Admiral (Ret.) Mark Montgomery and Behnam Ben Taleblu.They dissect Israel’s targeted strikes on IRGC assets, the strategic pause before a possible U.S. strike on Fordow, and why this war isn’t just Israel vs. Iran. It’s the free world vs. the axis of aggressors. And it’s about finishing the job—or risking another historic failure.

Host Cliff May is joined by his FDD colleagues H.R. McMaster and Brad Bowman to assess the growing cooperation among adversaries like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea—also know as the 'axis of aggressors.'From the Kremlin's efforts to manipulate perceptions in the West, particularly regarding NATO, to Iran's nuclear ambitions and the geopolitical implications of its relationship with China and the continuing threat from North Korea, they discuss why a robust U.S. response to these challenges is needed in order to maintain global security.

Thirty-six years ago this week, the Chinese Communist Party crushed pro-democracy protests in Tiananmen Square with tanks and bullets. The death toll? Certainly in the hundreds, probably in the thousands, and deliberately hidden by the Communist Party of China.How did that massacre reshape China’s path, and what did it mean for Beijing’s relationship with the U.S. and the West?Host Cliff May sits down with his FDD colleague Matt Pottinger, Chairman of our China Program, to discuss Tiananmen’s legacy and global consequences.

Is Iran on the brink, or is the West getting played again? Filling in for host Cliff May, Behnam Ben Taleblu is joined by Andrea Stricker and Saeed Ghasseminejad to discuss Trump’s renewed demand for full nuclear dismantlement, the regime’s internal weakness, and why half-measures won’t cut it. From stalled negotiations to nationwide strikes and the case for a “strike fund,” they unpack how to confront the Islamic Republic in 2025.

Mark Montgomery, a retired Rear Admiral from the FDD and recent frontline observer in Ukraine, shares firsthand insights on the evolving military strategies in the conflict. He emphasizes the need for coordinated military support for Ukraine. John Hardie, co-author of an FDD Memo, discusses tactical sanctions that could pressure Russia diplomatically. Both guests explore the inadequacy of current peace negotiations and the significant resilience of the Russian economy while underscoring the importance of Western military aid in shifting battlefield dynamics.

Yardena Schwartz, an eminent journalist and author known for her insightful work on the Arab-Israeli conflict, delves into the dark history of the 1929 Hebron massacre. She highlights the previously peaceful coexistence between Jews and Muslims and discusses how misinformation fueled violence. Schwartz also explores her journey from print to freelance journalism and shares compelling personal narratives about historical discoveries in Hebron. The conversation navigates the complexities of Gaza's governance, leadership choices, and enduring tensions that echo through time.

Melanie Phillips is a British journalist, broadcaster, and author.Her weekly column currently appears in The Times of London. She’s a regular panelist on BBC Radio’s The Moral Maze and speaks on public platforms throughout the English-speaking world.Her best-selling book, “Londonistan,” about the British establishment’s capitulation to Islamist aggression, was published in 2006. She followed this in 2010 with “The World Turned Upside Down: the Global Battle over God, Truth and Power.” She has a new book: “The Builder’s Stone: How Jews and Christians Built the West – and Why Only They Can Save it.”She joins host Cliff May to discuss her work's pertinence in the context of Israel's defensive war in Gaza and rising global anti-Semitism.