Foreign Podicy

Victoria Coates, a national security expert and former Deputy Assistant to President Trump, dives into her book about U.S.-Israel relations. She discusses the ideological shifts in the U.S. support for Israel and highlights the rise of anti-Semitism in academia. Coates examines how youth perspectives shape political attitudes towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and critiques media narratives surrounding Gaza. She also emphasizes the strategic implications of military investment and natural gas exports in the region's future.

David Wurmser, a seasoned analyst and former advisor to high-profile U.S. officials, delves into the seismic changes in Middle Eastern politics following recent conflicts. He unravels the complexities of rivalries among various groups and the implications for local populations. Wurmser critiques traditional views on Gaza while proposing innovative solutions to the Israeli-Palestinian crisis. He also discusses Turkey's rising influence and its potential imperial ambitions, along with the shifting alliances among global powers like Russia and China.

Retired Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery, a national security expert, and Bradley Bowman, a former U.S. Army officer, dive deep into President Trump's national security agenda upon his return to the White House. They discuss the rising threats from authoritarian regimes and the urgent need for enhanced military capabilities and cyber defenses. The duo emphasizes the importance of increased defense spending, strategic alliances, and assertive policies to counter Iranian influence and address geopolitical complexities. Cybersecurity and missile strategies also take center stage in their compelling conversation.

A few facts central to any discussion of a deal between Israel and Hamas:On Oct. 6, 2023. Gaza was not occupied. No Israelis lived there. No Israeli soldiers patrolled there.Gaza was not an open-air prison. It had schools, malls, libraries, hospitals, restaurants, sandy beaches.Hamas initiated a war on Oct. 7, 2023 by staging the worst attack on Jews since the Holocaust.Hamas could have brought a halt to this war at any time by releasing the hostages and laying down their weapons. They refused to do so.Hamas deserves the blame for every death, on both sides, over the past 468 days.Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement for a ceasefire and the return of hostages – over time – in exchange for Israel halting its offensive and releasing hundreds of convicted terrorists from prison.Host Cliff May asks his FDD colleagues Jonathan Schanzer and Richard Goldberg some of the many questions that arise.

Matt Pottinger, former deputy national security advisor and AI expert, joins retired Admiral Mark Montgomery, a cybersecurity authority, to dissect the pivotal role of artificial intelligence in global power dynamics. They stress the urgent need for the U.S. to maintain AI leadership against rivals like China. Key discussions include enticing global AI talent, the criticality of energy sources for AI development, and the geopolitics surrounding Taiwan's semiconductor industry, emphasizing the necessity of strategic responses in a competitive landscape.

Just hours into the New Year, we were reminded that the Jihad against the West is not over. It’s not even taking a winter break.A man inspired by the Islamic State drove a pickup truck into a crowd in the French Quarter of New Orleans, murdering at least 15 people and injuring dozens more. Hours later in New York City, demonstrators chanted: “There is only one solution – intifada revolution!” and “No war on Iran!”Meanwhile, Iran’s ruler, Ali Khamenei must be pondering whether Hezbollah and Hamas, two of his proxy terrorist militias that have been decimated by Israel, can be built back better.Also on his mind: What it means that Syria, once his satrapy, is now under Turkey’s influence.Host Cliff May is joined by his FDD colleague Behnam Ben Taleblu to discuss these and related issues. 

Join Jonathan Schanzer, an expert on Middle East issues; Reuel Marc Gerecht, who provides deep analysis on regional affairs; and Michael Doran, a veteran of the Bush administration, as they dive into the implications of regime change in Syria. They discuss the rise of the militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the weakening of Iran and Russia’s influence, and how Turkey's Erdogan stands to gain. The conversation also touches on the complex sectarian dynamics and historical tensions in the region, making for an insightful and engaging discussion.

It seems a favorite pastime of leaders in Washington is telling us — Americans — what we believe and what we want. Such assertions by politicians are sometimes true, but they inevitably reflect the policy the politician is attempting to promulgate.   So what do Americans actually believe when it comes to key defense and foreign policy issues? We don’t have to guess, thanks to the Reagan National Defense Survey. The Washington Director of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute, Roger Zakheim, joins guest host Bradley Bowman to share the latest survey’s findings.

David Adesnik, FDD's vice president of research and a Syria expert, dives into the contentious Amnesty International report accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza, questioning its lack of evidence. He explores the complexities of the Gaza conflict, including the challenges posed by Hamas and biases in human rights reporting. Adesnik also analyzes the shifting political landscape in Syria, highlighting the weakening of Hezbollah and the strategic concerns regarding Kurdish groups and ISIS. His insights illuminate critical international relations dynamics and the humanitarian crisis in the region.

Last week, President Biden finally (belatedly) allowed Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied long-range missiles to strike military targets in Russia. This made Vladimir Putin very angry.Some argue that we should be careful not to anger or provoke Putin and that if he issues threats, then we had better back down. But such weakness only emboldens Putin and his axis of aggressors in Tehran, Beijing, and Pyongyang who are helping him wage his illegal war in Ukraine.In exchange for Russian weapons that can be used to target commercial shipping and U.S. Navy vessels, Tehran-backed Houthi rebels helped Putin recruit hundreds of Yemenis to fight in Ukraine; North Korea has provided Putin some 10,000 soldiers; and China’s communist rulers in Beijing are also supporting Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine.Despite a bleak reality, FDD’s Mark Montgomery says in a new essay for a report published by the Vandenberg Coalition and the McCain Institute that “there is much the incoming administration can do to improve U.S. military capabilities to deter and, if necessary, defeat potential threats.”He joins host Cliff May to discuss.