Foreign Podicy

Tensions escalate as Iran surrounds Israel with proxy forces in a perilous 'ring of fire.' The regime's advancements in nuclear weaponry and missile technology pose a global threat. Crucial alliances with China, Russia, and North Korea form an alarming axis of aggressors. The podcast reveals the complexities of Iran's political hostility toward Israel, while exploring the struggles of ethnic minorities amidst regime oppression. Engaging discussions also cover U.S. sanctions, past policies, and the Iranian people's quest for freedom.

Twenty-three years post-9/11, the podcast unpacks the intelligence failures that missed the Al-Qaeda threat. It explores radical Islam's complexities and the challenges faced by moderate Muslims. The discussion critiques U.S. military policies in the Middle East, examining the consequences of recent withdrawals. The rise of ISIS and the need for a proactive American foreign policy are highlighted. Lastly, reflections on U.S. leadership emphasize the importance of engaging in national security dialogues.

General Randy A. George is the 41st Army Chief of Staff, making him a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the highest ranking officer in the U.S. Army. He enlisted in the Army decades ago, has commanded at all levels, and deployed to war multiple times.What are America’s adversaries up to, and what lessons can be drawn from the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East? How is the character of war changing, and what is he doing to ensure that the U.S. Army is ready to deploy, fight, and win?To find out, Bradley Bowman — senior director of FDD’s Center on Military and Political Power and guest host — went to the Pentagon to ask the general.

Matt Pottinger, a former U.S. Marine and senior director for Asia at the National Security Council, shares his unique insights as a distinguished fellow at the Hoover Institution. He delves into Xi Jinping's rhetoric and historical ties to Mao, unraveling China's ambitions and the implications for Taiwan. Pottinger highlights the urgency of strengthening Taiwan's defense amid rising tensions and the strategic importance of its semiconductor industry. With personal anecdotes from his diverse career, he paints a vivid picture of contemporary Sino-American relations.

Taiwan is a vibrant democracy in the western Pacific just east of Communist China where Xi Jinping, the most powerful Chinese ruler since Mao Zedong, is the decider. His intentions toward Taiwan are imperialist and predatory. But it’s not just Taiwan that is in his crosshairs — he also seeks to displace the United States as the preeminent global power.An FDD delegation led by RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, Craig Singleton, and Cliff May recently visited Taiwan. They discuss their visit and what Taiwan is doing to defend its homeland and its freedom.

Growing up a religious Muslim in Saudi Arabia, Loay Ahmed Alshareef believed that Jews descended from pigs and apes and Israelis lived on stolen land. Later in his twenties, he went to study abroad in France where his homestay family turned out to be… Jewish.Despite initially contacting his school to be moved, he stayed put. Eventually his views evolved and he became a “proud Muslim Zionist.”Loay joins FDD’s Hussain Abdul-Hussain and host Cliff May to discuss the ancient roots of antisemitism, its modern application on college campuses, how it fuels the war on Israel being waged by the Islamic Republic of Iran and its proxies, why Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s efforts to reform Saudi Arabia could make the Kingdom ripe for peace with Israel and more.

In response to an attack last weekend that killed 12 Israeli children playing soccer in the Golan Heights, a top Hezbollah commander was killed in Beirut. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was also killed this week in Tehran. In response to the Hamas and Hezbollah terrorist leaders meeting their demise, Supreme Leader of Iran Ali Khamenei threatened “severe punishment,” while Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah suggested he wants “a real response, not a performative response.” The region is teetering on the brink of a major escalation.To discuss the events that unfolded this week and what could happen next, senior director of FDD’s Center on Military and Political Power and guest host Bradley Bowman is joined by his FDD colleagues Jonathan Schanzer and Behnam Ben Taleblu.

Daniel N. Hoffman spent decades as an officer in America’s “clandestine services.” He was a station chief in Moscow and Baghdad, and he was chief of the CIA's Near East Division. He also did a tour of duty in South Asia. He’s now a Fox News contributor and a columnist for the Washington Times where host Cliff May writes the weekly “Foreign Desk” column.They discuss some of the many conflicts and crises underway, including Russia's illegal war in Ukraine and Israel's defensive war in Gaza.

When we talk about ‘hostage diplomacy’, it’s almost like we’re normalizing and legitimizing hostage-taking and admitting that American policy is not to deter hostage-taking or punish hostage-takers but simply to manage the criminals’ demands for ransom and the release of their terrorists and other rewards – and to do it with respect and civility.Vladimir Putin is among the autocratic world leaders who understand how much benefit – and how little risk – is involved in taking hostages from countries that respect international law and then offering to trade them for something or someone he wants. Since March of last year, his regime has incarcerated and just sentenced to 16 years in prison Evan Gershkovich, a fully accredited foreign correspondent for the Wall Street Journal, on what are obviously baseless and bogus charges.But Putin also is holding another American journalist: Alsu Kurmasheva with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Her husband, Pavel Butorin, also an RFE/RL journalist, joins host Cliff May and his FDD colleague Rich Goldberg to tell her — and his — story.

Exploring NATO's evolution from deterring Soviet aggression to addressing current challenges like Russian aggression in Ukraine and the need for modernization. Discussing historical dynamics between US and Soviets, challenges in deterring Putin, and limitations in US military assistance to Ukraine. Also, highlighting the importance of global leadership and power projection for NATO's future relevance.