FDD Events Podcast

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Listen in on FDD Events featuring discussions on today’s most pressing national security and foreign policy challenges and opportunities with top policymakers and leading experts. Webpage: https://www.fdd.org/events/

  1. Surveying Foreign Influence in AI Tools

    2 DAYS AGO

    Surveying Foreign Influence in AI Tools

    Authoritarian regimes are gaining influence over how Americans understand the world through the AI tools trusted to be neutral arbiters of information. By optimizing authoritarian propaganda for AI consumption, adversarial governments are shaping the narratives in AI tools relied on by millions for research, education, and everyday information. This event will explore how propaganda outlets are strategically filling legacy media’s void by positioning content to be cited by large language models, analyze Russia's campaigns to influence AI training data and embed Kremlin-aligned narratives into chatbot responses, and discuss the repercussions for the growing deployment of Chinese-built AI models in the United States. To discuss these emerging vulnerabilities and the options available to policymakers, technologists, and the media ecosystem, FDD hosts Joseph Bodnar, senior research manager at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, and Jamil Jaffer, founder and executive director of George Mason University’s National Security Institute. The discussion is moderated by Leah Siskind, FDD director of impact & AI research fellow. For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/events/2026/03/04/surveying-foreign-influence-in-ai-tools/

    1 hr
  2. Operation Epic Fury and the future of the Middle East

    2 DAYS AGO

    Operation Epic Fury and the future of the Middle East

    Operations Epic Fury and Roaring Lion have opened a new chapter in the Middle East — but whether the United States and Israel translate an unprecedented military campaign into a lasting political victory will define the region for a generation. This FDD media call examines the endgame of the combined U.S.-Israeli campaign against the Islamic Republic of Iran, including how air superiority over Iran changes the calculus for regime change, and what it would take to hand Iran to its people rather than see it collapse into a failed state. The experts assess Iran's deliberate strategy of shepherding its ballistic missile and drone arsenals to erode Israeli and Gulf civilian morale over time, analyze the threat of Strait of Hormuz mining as Tehran's greatest remaining source of leverage, and examine critical shortages of defensive interceptor munitions. In addition, the experts discuss Hezbollah's underwhelming entry into the conflict, what Israel is doing to ensure it cannot regenerate again, and why Ali Larijani and the Supreme National Security Council — not Iran's constitutional leadership council — are now the most consequential institution inside the Islamic Republic. To discuss these developments with journalists and creators, FDD hosts four of its scholars: Jonathan Schanzer, executive director and Middle East scholar, RADM (Ret) Mark Montgomery, senior fellow and senior director of FDD’s Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation, Behnam Ben Taleblu, senior fellow and senior director of FDD’s Iran Program, and David Daoud, senior fellow focused on Lebanon and Hezbollah. The discussion is moderated by Joe Dougherty, FDD’s senior director of communications. For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2026/03/02/operation-epic-fury-and-the-future-of-the-middle-east/

    1h 5m
  3. FDD SITREP: The Islamic Republic Is Falling

    5 DAYS AGO

    FDD SITREP: The Islamic Republic Is Falling

    In the early hours of February 28, the United States and Israel launched a coordinated military campaign against the Iranian regime—Washington calling it “Operation Epic Fury,” Israel calling it “Operation Lion’s Roar.” Strikes hit sites across Iran, targeting ballistic missile infrastructure, IRGC facilities, intelligence headquarters, and senior regime leadership. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is dead. President Trump confirmed his elimination on February 28: “Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead.” U.S. officials told Fox News that the strikes were moved up after intelligence revealed Khamenei and dozens of senior Iranian officials were meeting at his compound. Among those killed: Defense Council Secretary Ali Shamkhani, IRGC Chief Mohammad Pakpour, Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh, and multiple other senior military and intelligence figures. Iran has retaliated. A ballistic missile penetrated Israeli air defenses and struck a residential building in central Tel Aviv, killing at least one woman. Over 200 missiles and drones were fired at Israel and U.S. bases across the region—striking the U.S. Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain and causing casualties in Dubai and Syria. Regional governments have condemned Iran’s strikes in the strongest terms. Inside Iran, the response is electric. Videos show Iranians cheering in the streets. Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi has called on the armed forces to defect and urged citizens to prepare to mobilize. The opposition is deploying secure communications, satellite broadcasts, and hacked regime infrastructure to sustain the moment. The regime is decapitated. The question now is whether it falls. To assess fast-moving developments and their strategic implications, FDD hosts a timely SITREP moderated by FDD Executive Director and host of the FDD Morning Brief Jonathan Schanzer, featuring FDD CEO and host of The Iran Breakdown Mark Dubowitz, and FDD Senior Advisor and former White House National Security Council director Richard Goldberg.

    30 min
  4. The State of American Energy Dominance

    12 FEB

    The State of American Energy Dominance

    Convened around the one-year anniversary of President Trump’s establishment of the National Energy Dominance Council (NEDC), FDD’s Energy and National Security Program hosts a symposium examining current U.S. energy policy and its implications for national security and foreign policy. Opening with keynote remarks by Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, this symposium assess U.S. energy policy over the past year. It analyzes how energy policy intersects with U.S. strategic interests across regions, examines efforts to accelerate AI power infrastructure buildout and stabilize the grid, and explores the administration’s approach to countering China’s influence over critical resources. For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/events/2026/02/04/the-state-of-american-energy-dominance/

    2h 6m
  5. Reimagining Mediterranean Security with Greek Minister for National Defense Nikos Dendias

    4 FEB

    Reimagining Mediterranean Security with Greek Minister for National Defense Nikos Dendias

    At the recent trilateral summit in Jerusalem, leaders from Greece, Cyprus, and Israel advanced a shared vision of regional stability, prosperity, and cooperation. These nations, alongside the United States, are deepening coordination through mechanisms such as the Partnership for Transatlantic Energy Cooperation (P-TEC), the 3+1 framework, and the Achilles Shield program. As Greece emerges as a pivotal partner in U.S. energy strategy, these initiatives are cementing Athens’ role as the linchpin of Eastern Mediterranean security. To discuss Greece’s trilateral diplomacy with Israel and Turkey, the intersection of energy and security, and more, FDD is pleased to host Greek Minister for National Defense Nikos Dendias in conversation with FDD Executive Director Jonathan Schanzer. For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/events/2026/02/03/reimagining-mediterranean-security-with-greek-minister-for-national-defense-nikos-dendias/

    54 min
  6. Assessing the China-Russia Threat Nexus in Technology and Information Warfare

    22 JAN

    Assessing the China-Russia Threat Nexus in Technology and Information Warfare

    China and Russia continue to deploy sophisticated information operations and systematic technology theft to undermine U.S. national security, reshape global norms, and influence public opinion across the West. Both regimes have spent decades stealing American intellectual property, trade secrets, and advanced technology – and are now weaponizing artificial intelligence to accelerate their espionage and influence campaigns. As Beijing and Moscow’s influence campaigns expand and evolve, the U.S. and its allies must understand the methods employed by the authoritarian regimes and their real-world consequences. To discuss where these adversaries collaborate and how Beijing learns from Moscow’s tactics, FDD hosts David Shedd, former acting director of the Defense Intelligence Agency and author of the newly published book, The Great Heist: China’s Epic Campaign to Steal America’s Secrets, and Ivana Stradner, research fellow with FDD’s Barish Center for Media Integrity. The discussion will be moderated by Craig Singleton, senior director of FDD’s China Program. For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/events/2026/01/22/assessing-the-china-russia-threat-nexus-in-technology-and-information-warfare/

    1h 10m
  7. FinCEN Modernization and the Future of Financial Crime Enforcement

    18/12/2025

    FinCEN Modernization and the Future of Financial Crime Enforcement

    The U.S. Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) sits at the forefront of efforts to detect, disrupt, and deter illicit finance – yet growing challenges are testing the limits of existing regulatory frameworks. As Congress weighs updates to the Bank Secrecy Act and the U.S. and Western allies debate new global standards through the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), debates over the Corporate Transparency Act, a steep rise transnational criminal networks, and the surge of ransomware attacks underscore the urgency of modernizing America's anti-money laundering infrastructure. As illicit financial crime evolves, how can FinCEN rise to meet the challenge? How do cryptocurrency and AI impact financial crime and enforcement? What tools are available to combat sophisticated threats from cartels and Chinese money-laundering organizations? To discuss the landscape of modern financial crime and the future of FinCEN, FDD’s Center on Economic and Financial Power (CEFP) hosts former FinCEN directors Kenneth A. Blanco, Jennifer Shasky Calvery, and Himamauli Das. This conversation is moderated by Juan C. Zarate, chairman of FDD’s CEFP. For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/events/2025/12/18/fincen-modernization-and-the-future-of-financial-crime-enforcement/

    1h 9m
  8. Advancing Energy Security with Greek Minister of Energy Stavros Papastavrou

    05/12/2025

    Advancing Energy Security with Greek Minister of Energy Stavros Papastavrou

    Recently, Greece hosted two important energy events: the Partnership for Transatlantic Energy Cooperation (P-TEC) and a historic 3+1 meeting of Greece, Cyprus, Israel, and the United States. As the U.S. seeks to implement its vision for energy dominance, Greece has responded by accelerating its own efforts to reshape the global energy system. From opening new LNG import terminals and signing long-term agreements with American LNG exporters, establishing the Vertical Corridor to supply American gas to Ukraine and other parts of Europe, partnering with Chevron to explore natural gas off Crete, and resuscitating the Great Sea Interconnector to link the grid from Europe to the Middle East, the pipeline to America’s global energy dominance increasingly runs through Athens. To discuss U.S. energy investment and infrastructure projects, Greece’s unique position at the crossroads of an emerging energy dominance corridor, and more, FDD's Energy and National Security Program is pleased to host a fireside discussion moderated by its director Richard Goldberg featuring Greek Minister of Environment and Energy Stavros Papastavrou. For more, check out: https://www.fdd.org/events/2025/12/05/advancing-energy-security-with-greek-minister-of-energy-stavros-papastavrou/

    58 min
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Listen in on FDD Events featuring discussions on today’s most pressing national security and foreign policy challenges and opportunities with top policymakers and leading experts. Webpage: https://www.fdd.org/events/

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