FDD Morning Brief

IS THE GAZA WAR OVER? --FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer delivers timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Nadav Eyal, an award-winning Israeli journalist affiliated with Yedioth Ahronoth and Ynetnews.Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief 

THE HOSTAGES ARE HOME. --FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Lt. Col. (Ret.) Jonathan Conricus, FDD senior fellow and former IDF international spokesperson, and Ariel Oseran, senior Middle East correspondent for i24 News English.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

A CONVERSATION WITH HOSTAGE FAMILIES AT THE SUKKAH OF HOPEFDD Executive Director Jonathan Schanzer sits down with the families of hostages held in Gaza for a conversation recorded at the Kennedy Center on October 8, 2025 — just hours before details of the hostage deal began to emerge.Recording credit: Production Management One (https://www.instagram.com/pm1pro/)Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

A DEAL HAS BEEN MADE. NOW WHAT? HEADLINE 1: The Treasury Department rolled out a fresh round of Iran sanctions. HEADLINE 2: The U.S. Department of Commerce added over a dozen Chinese companies to a restricted trade list. HEADLINE 3: Israel disrupted a major arms smuggling operation into the West Bank. --FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with former Israeli National Security Advisor Eyal Hulata.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief--Featured FDD Pieces:"Israel Moves To Counter Drone Threat on Egyptian Border" - Mariam Wahba, FDD"Hamasniks in fox holes" - Cliff May, The Washington Times"Recipe for Success: Guidance Based on the Experience of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission" - Sophie McDowall, FDD

HOW HAS THE WAR RESHAPED THE MIDDLE EAST TWO YEARS AFTER OCTOBER 7? HEADLINE 1: A prisoner exchange deal between Iran and France is in the works.HEADLINE 2: Some interesting stuff coming out of Lebanon and Syria.HEADLINE 3: Speaking of Syria, Syria and Kurdish Forces in the country agreed to a ceasefire yesterday.--FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with New York Times bestselling author Yossi Klein Halevi.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief--Featured FDD Pieces: "Combatting PRC Illegal, Coercive, Aggressive, and Deceptive Behavior in the Indo-Pacific" - Craig Singleton, Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee "America must stop aiding our enemies by enabling the shadowy world of dirty cash" - Josh Birenbaum, New York Post"Is Qatar Finally Ready to Split With Hamas?" - Natalie Ecanow, Wall Street Journal

IS HAMAS SERIOUS ABOUT ENDING THE WAR?HEADLINE 1: The U.S. government approved a new aid package for Lebanese security forces.HEADLINE 2: Syria held elections for the first time since Bashar al-Assad’s fall.HEADLINE 3: Israel intercepted all the boats and there was no violence or bloodshed. But poor Greta Thunberg was grumpy because she wasn’t greeted with hugs and a dance party.--FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Council on Foreign Relations Senior Fellow The Honorable Elliott Abrams, who formerly served as U.S. Special Representative for Iran and Venezuela and Deputy National Security Advisor.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief-- Featured FDD Pieces"Trump will help Ukraine hit Putin where it hurts — to finally end his bloody war" - John Hardie, New York Post"5 Ways to Curb Iran’s Oil Exports to China" - Saeed Ghasseminejad, The National Interest"Europe Should Support Moldova Against Russian Meddling" - Ivana Stradner and RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, Foreign Policy"Hamas Says 'Yes, But...'" - Elliott Abrams, The Free Press

WHAT CRIMINAL NETWORKS ARE DOING IRANS BIDDING? HEADLINE 1: German authorities arrested three suspected Hamas operatives one day before Yom Kippur.HEADLINE 2: Israeli forces dismantled a large rocket cache in the West Bank. HEADLINE 3: Israel’s Navy intercepted the flotilla attempting to break the so-called blockade on Gaza. Except, guess what? The navy reports that a bunch of boats didn’t have any aid all.HEADLINE 4: The U.S. Treasury Department slapped sanctions on 21 entities and 17 individuals involved in Iranian weapons procurement networks supporting the regime’s ballistic missile and military aircraft programs. --FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Amotz Eyal, founder and CEO of the Israeli newswire Tazpit Press Service (TPS).Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief--Featured FDD Pieces:"The Quiet Return of Hezbollah’s Smuggling Network in Syria" - Ahmad Sharawi, FDD"Trump Administration Plan for Gaza Puts Unprecedented and Unified Pressure on Hamas" - Aaron Goren, FDD"8 UN Failures in Yemen" - Bridget Toomey, FDD"Iran on Your Soil: Tehran’s Global Crime Network Exposed" - The Press Service of Israel

HOW IS QATAR GROWING ITS INFLUENCE IN THE U.S.? HEADLINE 1: The IDF took out two Hezbollah operatives in Lebanon.HEADLINE 2: Israeli authorities thwarted an ISIS-linked bomb plot.HEADLINE 3: The Houthis attacked a Dutch-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden.--FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with journalist Frannie Block of The Free Press.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief--Featured FDD Pieces:"Hidden Huaweis" - Nathan Picarsic and Emily de La Bruyère, Real Clear Defense"The Chance to Save Myanmar" - Dan Swift and Sean Turnell, Foreign Affairs "FAQ: 5 Things to Know About Israel’s Gaza City Offensive" - Joe Truzman, FDD"The Middle Kingdom Meets Higher Education" - Craig Singleton, FDD

WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE UNITED NATIONS? HEADLINE 1: U.S. ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee will travel to Egypt soon.HEADLINE 2: The mayor of Gaza City reportedly sent a letter to President Trump.HEADLINE 3: Another Houthi missile fired at Israel out of Yemen. Another Israeli interception.--FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with former UK Ambassador to Yemen and current FDD Senior Fellow Edmund Fitton-Brown.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief--Featured FDD Pieces: "5 Recent Instances of Foreign Malign Influence Threatening U.S. National Security" - Mark Montgomery and Max Lesser, FDD"When Erdoğan Shifted Focus to the Kurds in Syria" - Sinan Ciddi and Ahmad Sharawi, The Jerusalam Strategic Tribune "Qatar Is Knocking on Canada’s Door" - Natalie Ecanow, FDD

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN ERDOGAN COMES TO VISIT? HEADLINE 1: Italy and Spain deployed navy ships to escort the flotilla attempting to break Israel’s blockade on Gaza.HEADLINE 2: Iran says it obtained a trove of documents about sensitive Israeli sites and nuclear facilities.HEADLINE 3: Russia and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding for the construction of nuclear power plants in Iran.--FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Council on Foreign Relations Adjunct Senior Fellow Henri Barkey.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief--Featured FDD Pieces: "China Has Weaponized Battery Production Against the United States" - Elaine Dezenski and Josh Birenbaum, The National Interest "The United Nations is falling apart" - Edmund Fitton-Brown, The Spectator "Qatar is no Arab Switzerland" - Cliff May, The Washington Times

HOW DID ARAB CITIZENS OF ISRAEL EXPERIENCE THE OCT. 7TH HAMAS MASSACRE? HEADLINE 1: If you weren’t already worried about the rise of thinking machines, you definitely want to think twice about getting your news from AI chatbots. HEADLINE 2: Israel will close the Allenby crossing between the West Bank and Jordan indefinitely.HEADLINE 3: Hamas-led authorities in the Gaza Strip executed three alleged “collaborators” as they face rising pushback from militias. --FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Arab-Israeli journalist and social activist Yoseph Haddad.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief--Featured FDD Pieces: "Will Israel stop the carnage? A brutal occupation won’t work" - Reuel Marc Gerecht, UnHerd"A Surge in Islamism Widens Rift Between Sudanese Army and Its Regional Allies" - Hussain Abdul-Hussain, FDD"Palestine recognition would reward terrorism and contradict international law" - Irwin Cotler and Orde Kittrie, National Post

ARE TENSIONS RISING IN THE SINAI? HEADLINE 1: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants Washington’s help diffusing tensions with Egypt. And man, is that overdue.HEADLINE 2: Qatar is still making a stink about Israel’s strike in Doha.HEADLINE 3: As the Gaza City offensive ramps up, Gaza-based terrorists fired two rockets at the southern Israeli city of Ashdod yesterday.-- FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Steven Cook, the Eni Enrico Mattei Senior Fellow for MENA at the Council on Foreign Relations.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/--Featured FDD Pieces:"As Beijing beckons, is Washington sleepwalking on Egypt?" - Mariam Wahba and Ryan Brobst, Breaking Defense"Africa’s debt collector: China’s shifting role offers US a golden opportunity" - Daniel Swift, The Hill"'Scientific Malpractice’: Israel Publishes 58-Page Report Dissecting Claims of Famine in Gaza" - David Adesnik, FDD

WHAT HISTORICAL LESSONS FROM PREVIOUS WARS CAN BE APPLIED TO ISRAEL'S CURRENT CONFLICT WITH HAMAS?HEADLINE 1: Israel’s anti-missile laser system is nearly operational.HEADLINE 2: Two Israeli soldiers were killed in an attack at the Allenby border crossing between Jordan and the West Bank.HEADLINE 3: A Houthi drone evaded Israeli air defenses and slammed into a hotel in Eilat.--FDD Senior Research Analyst Natalie Ecanow, filling in for Jonathan Schanzer, provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Executive Director of the Hudson Institute's Public Interest Fellowship Garrett Exner.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief--Featured FDD Pieces:"The United States Should be Prudent Regarding al-Sharaa’s Turn" - Jonathan Schanzer and Ahmad Sharawi, The National Interest"Human Rights Are the Key to a Free Iran" - Janatan Sayeh, RealClearWorld"US designates 4 Iran-backed Iraqi militias as Foreign Terrorist Organizations" - Bridget Toomey, FDD's Long War Journal

HOW ACCURATE ARE THE CLAIMS OF FAMINE IN GAZA? HEADLINE 1: The Treasury Department rolled out a fresh batch of Iran sanctions.HEADLINE 2: In response to Israel's strike against Hamas leaders in Doha, representatives from nearly 60 Arab and Islamic countries convened in Qatar to lash out at Israel.HEADLINE 3: Israel carried out strikes against Yemen’s Hodeidah Port.--FDD Senior Research Analyst Natalie Ecanow, filling in for Jonathan Schanzer, provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with FDD Vice President of Research David Adesnik.Learn more at: fdd.org/fddmorningbrief--Featured FDD Pieces: "The Saudi-Qatari Competition for Influence in Syria" - Ahmad Sharawi and Natalie Ecanow, The Jerusalem Strategic Tribune"Three years later, Iran’s freedom martyr Mahsa Amini inspires demands for change" - Rich Goldberg and Benham Ben Taleblu, New York Post"President Trump, Don’t Settle for Empty Promises on Reindustrialization" - Emily de La Bruyere and Nathan Picarsic, NewsweekFor COGAT statistics on humanitarian aid in Gaza: https://gaza-aid-data.gov.il/mainhome#AidData

WHAT LESSONS HAS THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS LEARNED FROM TWO YEARS OF WAR BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HAMAS?HEADLINE 1: Yesterday, the IDF issued evacuation orders for at least three high-rise buildings in Gaza City, including a tower at the Islamic University.HEADLINE 2: Another Israeli citizen was caught spying for Iran.HEADLINE 3: Arab countries are considering establishing a joint military force.--FDD Senior Fellow Lt. Col. (Ret.) Jonathan Conricus provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Shane O'Connor, a humanitarian advisor to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).Learn more at: https://fdd.org/fddmorningbrief--Featured FDD pieces:"Wasn’t Hell Supposed to Break Loose if the U.S. Struck Iran?" - Reuel Marc Gerecht and CFR's Ray Takeyh, The Wall Street Journal"Lessons from Doha: Eject Hamas now" - Ahmad Sharawi, The Hill"המבצע הבא בעזה חייב להתחיל במסיבת עיתונאים" - Lt. Col. (Ret.) Jonathan Conricus, Israel's N12 News"The art of lying about Israel" - Cliff May, The Washington Times

WILL ISRAEL’S STRIKE ON HAMAS IN DOHA AFFECT THE ABRAHAM PEACE ACCORDS?HEADLINE 1: The Pentagon approved a new security assistance package for Lebanon.HEADLINE 2: Speaking of Hezbollah, guess who busted a Hezbollah cell? The Syrian army.HEADLINE 3: The Treasury Department rolled out fresh sanctions targeting Houthi financial networks.--FDD Senior Research Analyst Natalie Ecanow, filling in for Jonathan Schanzer, provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Hussain Abdul-Hussain, an FDD research fellow who specializes in the Gulf region and Yemen. Learn more at: https://fdd.org/fddmorningbrief--Featured FDD Articles:"Turkey Could Be Next in Israel’s Cross-hairs After Qatar. The Consequences? Catastrophic" - Sinan Ciddi, Haaretz"Baghdad Has an Opportunity To Counter Illicit Iranian Activity in Iraq. Will the Government Take It?" - Bridget Toomey, FDD Policy Brief"From Playground to Classroom: The Spread of Antisemitism in K-12 Schools" - Brandy Shufutinsky, Congressional Testimony

WHAT LIES AHEAD FOR LEBANON?HEADLINE 1: Qatar isn’t the only target for the Israel in the last 48 hours — Syria was hit, too. HEADLINE 2: Israel ordered the full evacuation of Gaza City.HEADLINE 3: Tensions are soaring between Israel and Spain.--FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Ambassador Edward Gabriel, president and CEO of the American Task Force on Lebanon.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief--Featured FDD Articles:"Building the Future U.S. Cyber Force" - RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery and Dr. Erica Lonergan, FDD Monograph"China’s money launderers are bankrolling America’s fentanyl epidemic" - Max Meizlish and Elaine Dezenski, The Hill"Why Israel Shouldn’t Celebrate Lebanon’s Promise to Disarm Hezbollah Just Yet" - David Daoud, Haaretz"Hamas’ Chief Negotiator Is a Terrorist, Not a Peacemaker" - Jonathan Schanzer and Ahmad Sharawi, The Dispatch

IS GAZA ISRAEL'S VIETNAM? HEADLINE 1: Some major weekend action from the Houthis. Yesterday, the Iran-backed terrorists launched an explosive drone at Israel, and it made impact.HEADLINE 2: In some more Houthi news, the government in Southern Yemen accused Iran of helping their enemies in the north of Yemen, the Houthis, produce chemical weapons.HEADLINE 3: Saudi Arabia is expanding its role in post-Assad Syria.--FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Aaron MacLean, an FDD Senior Advisor and host of the "School of War" podcast. --Featured FDD Articles:"China Won’t Get Addicted to America’s Chips" - Craig Singleton, The Wall Street Journal"How the U.N. Became Hamas’s Partner" - Cliff May and Richard Goldberg, FDD's Foreign Podicy"FDD's Trump Administration Foreign Policy Tracker: September" - John Hardie

IS IRAN'S "RING OF FIRE" STRATEGY BURNING BRIGHT — OR BURNING OUT?HEADLINE 1: Israel launched a satellite into space.HEADLINE 2: Apparently, Tehran had increased its stockpile of enriched uranium in the weeks before Israel launched its first preemptive strike on the program in June.HEADLINE 3: The Shin Bet thwarted a plot to assassinate Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.--FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Emily Schrader, an Israeli journalist, author, and activist who serves as a news anchor at ILTV News Israel.--Featured FDD Articles:"Turkey’s Quiet Relationship with ISIS" — Sinan Ciddi in The Jerusalem Strategic Tribune"Xi’s military parade showed just how dangerous China has become" — Bradley Bowman in The New York Post"10 Takeaways From Simulated Attacks on Taiwan’s Energy Sector" — RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, Craig Singleton, Johanna Yang, and Jack Burnham, FDD Insight

WHAT LESSONS CAN BE LEARNED FROM ISRAELI INTELLIGENCE FAILURES ON OCTOBER 7?HEADLINE 1: The Trump administration dialed up the pressure on Iran.HEADLINE 2: The Houthis took a beating. And then they raided UN offices in Yemen over the weekend.HEADLINE 3: Another European country plans to recognize a state of Palestine.BONUS HEADLINE 4: Purported environmentalist Greta Thunberg is trying to send another flotilla to Gaza.--FDD Executive Director Jonathan Schanzer provides timely updates and in-depth analysis of the latest Middle East headlines, followed by a conversation with Yaakov Katz, former editor-in-chief of The Jerusalem Post.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/--Featured FDD Articles:"What if Israel Was Right and the Arabs Were Wrong?" — Hussain Abdul-Hussain, This Is Beirut"By Tying Ukraine’s Hands, the Pentagon Undermines Trump" — RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery and John Hardie, The Wall Street Journal"The Shadows Moscow Casts Over Historian Mark Galeotti" — Cliff May and Mark Galeotti, FDD's Foreign Podicy