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Four presidents. One persistent enemy. On today’s episode of The Iran Breakdown, @brett_mcgurk, author of Brink, joins @mdubowitz to explain what Washington got right and wrong on Iran, and whether America is winning. x.com/i/broadcasts/1…
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Russia’s advances in Africa are weakening the fight against terrorism.
Read the latest from Michelle Kernitsky: bit.ly/4yZkywX
Read the latest from Michelle Kernitsky: bit.ly/4yZkywX
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The Islamic Development Bank has given over $17 million to at least 50 Islamic private schools in the U.S.
Iran is the bank’s third-largest shareholder; Qatar and Turkey also hold board seats, per a new FDD memo from @76brandy76 @JenRichmond @SimoneJWei. fdd.org/analysis/forei…
Iran is the bank’s third-largest shareholder; Qatar and Turkey also hold board seats, per a new FDD memo from @76brandy76 @JenRichmond @SimoneJWei. fdd.org/analysis/forei…
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Since the Houthis began attacking commercial shipping in the Red Sea in the aftermath of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack that plunged the region into war, merchant ships have avoided the Suez Canal, costing Egypt billions of dollars in tolls and spurring a prolonged economic crisis.
More from @BridgetKToomey @themariamwahba:
fdd.org/analysis/egypt…
More from @BridgetKToomey @themariamwahba:
fdd.org/analysis/egypt…
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FDD retweeted
Washington’s Counter-Mine Wakeup Call
A piece worth reading by @L_Rolleigh, @RyanBrobst_ & Jordan Ross.
It turns out that clearing mines is tougher in non-permissive environments and requires different tools and tactics.
We should not expect our adversaries to take a timeout on attacks while we clear mines.
fdd.org/analysis/washi…
A piece worth reading by @L_Rolleigh, @RyanBrobst_ & Jordan Ross.
It turns out that clearing mines is tougher in non-permissive environments and requires different tools and tactics.
We should not expect our adversaries to take a timeout on attacks while we clear mines.
fdd.org/analysis/washi…
Some were ready to declare defeat and hand the Strait of Hormuz to the Islamic Republic of Iran.
But the reality is that we are seeing progress in the Strait of Hormuz – thanks to the U.S. military.
It is performing two tough tasks simultaneously: 1) implementing a naval blockade of Iran; and 2) facilitating the export of non-Iran oil through the Strait of Hormuz.
The blockade is depriving the regime of billions of dollars in revenue, making it more difficult for Iran to fund domestic repression, bankroll international terrorism, rebuild its military, and pursue nuclear weapons.
And we are seeing a significant number of merchant vessels sail through the Strait each week.
That is possible because the U.S. military has dealt a serious blow to Iran’s Navy, cleared the strait’s international shipping lanes of mines, and degraded Tehran’s missile and drone capabilities.
But it is too soon to declare mission accomplished. Moscow and Beijing are supporting Tehran. Iran's attacks on ships will continue.
But progress is real, and we owe that to the capability of the U.S. military.
The strain on the U.S. Navy is real, but the best response is for Congress to pass the defense appropriation bill without delay and stop relying on continuing resolutions.
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FDD retweeted
In our @NYPostOpinion piece in September, @FDD @miadmaleki and I recommended the U.S. should focus on a land blockade on the regime in Iran to complement the maritime and air blockade. It now seems to be working. Iran is losing overland routes. wsj.com/world/middle-e…
Rather than engaging in more fruitless negotiations, the U.S. should now focus on a land blockade alongside its naval and air blockades.
The goal: seal Iran from the international trade the regime depends on for its survival.
My latest with @FDD @miadmaleki
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FDD retweeted
U.S. and Israel advanced space technology cooperation is a win for both countries writes, @FDD Emmerson Overell fdd.org/analysis/the-u…
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Turkey now maintains military forces in Libya, Syria, occupied Cyprus, and Somalia, operating bases on three continents.
@SinanCiddi argues this enhances Ankara’s capacity to assert its maritime claims through military means. fdd.org/analysis/easte…
@SinanCiddi argues this enhances Ankara’s capacity to assert its maritime claims through military means. fdd.org/analysis/easte…
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Moscow’s updated Gulf security framework aims to reduce reliance on the American security umbrella. It also calls for Gulf states to prohibit third parties from using their territory to attack neighbors, which could constrain U.S. military operations. fdd.org/analysis/washi…
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The U.S. should continue backing Israel’s right to carry out defensive operations in south Lebanon until Hezbollah is verifiably disarmed and the Lebanese state, assisted by the European Union, is in full control of its territory.
@BenCohenOpinion explains:
bit.ly/47wFwXT
@BenCohenOpinion explains:
bit.ly/47wFwXT
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🎙️ NEW Iran Breakdown: Four American presidents. One persistent enemy. And a confrontation that has brought the Middle East to war.
@brett_mcgurk served Bush, Obama, Trump, and Biden at the center of Middle East policy. He joins @mdubowitz to discuss his new book “Brink” 👇
youtube.com/watch?v=oCazfL…
@brett_mcgurk served Bush, Obama, Trump, and Biden at the center of Middle East policy. He joins @mdubowitz to discuss his new book “Brink” 👇
youtube.com/watch?v=oCazfL…
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How does the munitions shortage affect America's warfighting capability?
@RyanBrobst_, deputy director of @FDD_CMPP, unpacks the implications on the FDD Morning Brief with @JSchanzer.
Full episode: bit.ly/48g2Yc5
@RyanBrobst_, deputy director of @FDD_CMPP, unpacks the implications on the FDD Morning Brief with @JSchanzer.
Full episode: bit.ly/48g2Yc5
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The Islamic republic’s aspirations have always revolved around the challenge of how to do more with less. If the regime can survive Trump’s attempt to strangle it and provoke an uprising, the theocrats and guardsmen just might figure it out, writes @ReuelMGerecht & Ray Takeyh:
washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/…
washingtonpost.com/opinions/2026/…
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Washington must field next-generation bunker-busters capable of reaching sites like Pickaxe Mountain, and work with Israel on methods such as subterranean drills that can collapse tunnel complexes from above, writes @StrickerNonpro:
fdd.org/analysis/iran-…
fdd.org/analysis/iran-…
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North Korean troops fighting in Europe. Chinese chemicals fueling Iran's missiles.
America's adversaries are coordinating like never before. @Brad_L_Bowman, @ElaineDezenski & @MarkCMontgomery explain how.
Order Axis of Aggressors now: bit.ly/4wLvE78
America's adversaries are coordinating like never before. @Brad_L_Bowman, @ElaineDezenski & @MarkCMontgomery explain how.
Order Axis of Aggressors now: bit.ly/4wLvE78
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🎙️ NEW Foreign Podicy: What the hell is going on in Canada — and Europe?
@DrCaseyBabb joins @CliffordDMay to discuss extremism, antisemitism, and threats to Western democracies — plus his new book “The Moral Case for Zionism,” out October 22 👇
youtube.com/watch?v=nx58G1…
@DrCaseyBabb joins @CliffordDMay to discuss extremism, antisemitism, and threats to Western democracies — plus his new book “The Moral Case for Zionism,” out October 22 👇
youtube.com/watch?v=nx58G1…
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Turkey Has Outsourced Its Censorship to American Companies
Helin Unal in @thecipherbrief: bit.ly/4yAwzrq
Helin Unal in @thecipherbrief: bit.ly/4yAwzrq
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Protests break out in Syria against ‘Israeli incursions and attacks’ as tensions rise
@sfrantzman in FDD’s @LongWarJournal: bit.ly/4zPACkH
@sfrantzman in FDD’s @LongWarJournal: bit.ly/4zPACkH
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Ukrainian intelligence details new low-cost Russian cruise missile
@JohnH105 in FDD's @LongWarJournal: bit.ly/4hXSVyg
@JohnH105 in FDD's @LongWarJournal: bit.ly/4hXSVyg
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FDD retweeted
U.S. and Israeli strikes in 2025 and 2026 set Iran’s nuclear program back by more than two years.
Now the Islamic Republic is attempting to make up for lost time by rebuilding its nuclear-weapons option underground.
My latest for @NYPostOpinion: 🔗
Now the Islamic Republic is attempting to make up for lost time by rebuilding its nuclear-weapons option underground.
My latest for @NYPostOpinion: 🔗
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The constant Hezbollah attacks on Israel that immediately followed the October 7, 2023, Hamas atrocities underlined UNIFIL’s failure to deliver on its mandate.
@BenCohenOpinion explains:
bit.ly/47wFwXT
@BenCohenOpinion explains:
bit.ly/47wFwXT
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