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Trending Issues
Israel at War
Trump Warns of Further Strikes on Iran if Nuclear Rebuilding ContinuesÂ
Flash Brief
Trump Threatens New Military Action With Israel on Iranâs Missiles, Nuclear Program
The Wall Street Journal
China
China Launches New Drills Around Taiwan, Regional Tensions Rise
Policy Brief
U.S. bolsters Pacific societal resistance as China entrenches in Palau and Yap
The John Batchelor Show
December 18, 2025
12:00 pm
EVENT: FinCEN Modernization and the Future of Financial Crime Enforcement
The U.S. Treasuryâs Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) sits at the forefront of efforts to detect, disrupt, and deter illicit finance â yet growing challenges are testing the limits of existing regulatory frameworks. To discuss the landscape of modern financial crime and the future of FinCEN, FDDâs 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 FDDâs CEFP.
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Clifford D. May
Founder & President
- Iran
- Iran Global Threat Network
- Jihadism
- The Long War
- Palestinian Politics
- North Korea
- Russia
- Sanctions and Illicit Finance
- International Organizations
Behnam Ben Taleblu
Iran Program Senior Director and Senior Fellow
- Iran
- Iran Sanctions
- Iran Missiles
- Iran Human Rights
- Iran Politics and Economy
- Iran Global Threat Network
- Sanctions and Illicit Finance
Edmund Fitton-Brown
Senior Fellow
Ivana Stradner
Research Fellow
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"Mr. Dubowitzâs campaign to draw attention to what he saw as the Iran nuclear deal's flaws has taken its place among the most consequential ever undertaken by a Washington think tank leader."
New York Times
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Marco Rubio
U.S. Secretary of State and Acting National Security Advisor
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Lai Ching-te
President of Taiwan
âFDD is highly influential in the area of public policy ⊠I would like to thank FDD for publishing numerous articles advocating for international support of Taiwan.â
Tsai Ing-wen
Former President of Taiwan
âThank you for all of FDDâs work⊠it is so critical to our fight in the United States against terror and against those who seek to do us harmâ  ⊠â[FDD has always] held Iran accountable for their continued nuclear activity and for their continued terror activityâŠ.which is key to Americaâs national security and our fight globally against terror, against Iran and its proxies, and against Hezbollah and Hamas and Palestinian Jihad.â
Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ)
âWhat FDD puts out [in] the national and international conversation, ⊠you really are  ⊠a repository of knowledge on so many critical issues.â
Mike Waltz
"Thank you to FDDâŠfor the many, many years of great work that youâve done. I've known the organization and relied on its expertise long before this conversation today."
Jessica Lewis
Former Assistant Secretary for Political-Military Affairs, U.S. Department of State
"I will tell you that FDD has been such a partner. Whether it is dealing with the Iran deal and the flaws that were in it, all the way to human shields and all the things that we need to do to combat it, you've been a partner in a time where we need partners. And so I appreciate that very much."
Amb. Nikki R. Haley
Former US Ambassador to the United Nations
âNobody makes the case better than FDD that the Islamic Republic is a threat to the region, its own people and the U.S., and that it needs to be dealt with, not wished away.â
Wall Street Journal
Weekend Interview
âI would add my own thanks to the FDD and the Center on Military and Political Power for ⊠showing how important it is that we are talking, both on the military and the civilian side, about the importance of being prepared to protect and advance our national security objectives. That's exactly the kind of conversations that we're seeking to help our European allies and partners have with their citizenry. Thank you.â
Amb. Kate Marie Byrnes
Civilian Deputy and Foreign Policy Advisor, U.S. European Command
"A record low for the reach of petrodollars: CIA & FDD fake news w/ selective AlQaeda docs re: Iran can't whitewash role of US allies in 9/11"
Javad Zarif
Iran's Former Foreign Minister
FDD's Long War Journal [is] the best source of public information on terrorism.
Michael Morell
former Acting and Deputy Director, Central Intelligence Agency
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George W. Bush
Former President
Overnight Brief: December 29, 2025
Read Full BriefToday In Issues:
FDD Research & Analysis
- "The War Against Christians (With Chinese Characteristics)," FDD's Foreign Podicy
- "Donât sell out Burmaâs persecuted Christians and activists," The Washington Post
- "Airstrikes only first step to stop Islamic terrorists on march through Africa," New York Post
- "On US-Iran Policy, There Is No Path Out of the Desert," The National Interest
- "U.S.-Palau agreement shows new National Security Strategy in action," The Sunday Guardian
- "As Netanyahu heads to meet Trump, US aid takes center stage," Israel Hayom
- "Why was Sharaa Invited to Washington, but not Aoun?," This Is Beirut
- "Eight Things to Know About Christians in China," FDD Insight
- "Syriaâs Integration Deal Nears Collapse," FDD Policy Brief
The Must-Reads
- Six months after war, Israel warns it could strike Iran again
- Trump, Netanyahu to discuss next phase of Gaza plan
- WSJ Editorial: Hamas is loving its revival
- Iran sends conflicting signals on its missiles as Israeli concerns rise
- Iranâs president says his country is in a full-scale war with the West
- AEIâs Matthew Continetti: The Iran strike was the high point of Trump's year
- WSJ Editorial: Ukraineâs new concessions for peace
- Hezbollah leader says Lebanese efforts to disarm group ânot in countryâs interestâ
- WaPo Editorial: Unfinished business in the Middle East
- North Korea's Kim Jong Un oversees cruise missile launches
- U.S. strikes on nigeria targeted islamic state camps with missile barrage
- WSJ Editorial: Trump bombs ISIS in Africa
