FDD Morning Brief

Headlines:Egypt’s National Defense Council agrees to provide Saudi Arabia with all necessary support in its war against the Houthis.Saudi Arabia on Saturday announced that five Saudi nationals had been executed for committing acts of terror against the Saudi state and its people. Some wild news stories circulating out there, purportedly showing how the Netanyahu government was steering Qatari cash into Gaza.--FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with FDD Senior Envoy for Europe Simone Rodan-Benzaquen.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

Headlines:Yesterday, the Saudi-led coalition struck a Yemeni oil facility in Sanaa.The Iranian regime is using the pause in fighting to get ready for the next round. Well, we covered it last week. Iran allegedly sending $200 million to Hezbollah? And yes, I cast doubt on the report. But I stand corrected. Hezbollah confirmed it yesterday — saying it will now pay up to $14,000 to Lebanese families displaced amid the war with Israel.--FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Andrew Tabler of The Washington Institute.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

Headlines:Israel decided to downgrade the UK’s consulate in Jerusalem, but stopped short of fully closing the diplomatic post. Taiwan has its sights on $130 billion worth of domestic infrastructure projects and the government in Taipei wants Saudi Arabia to pitch in. Rumors are swirling that Syria may be gearing up to help Saudi Arabia fight the Houthis. Iran allegedly transferred $200 million to Hezbollah last month to distribute to Lebanese families displaced during the war with Israel. I am not sure I buy it. --FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with FDD Senior Fellow Lt. Col. (Ret.) Jonathan Conricus.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

Headlines:Members of the Mecca defense pact are planning to meet in Riyadh today.Yesterday, Yemeni forces launched a military campaign to retake territory seized by the Houthis.The IDF went after another Hamas leader over the weekend. The U.S. Treasury Department took action against a Hamas financing network that’s funneled over $2 million to the terror group through sham charities and cryptocurrency channels.--FDD Senior Research Analyst Natalie Ecanow fills in for Jonathan Schanzer, providing timely situational updates and analysis ahead of a pre-recorded conversation between Jon and Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA).Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

Headlines:Iran’s currency plummeted to a new low yesterday. We’re talking over 2.5 million rials to the U.S. dollar. Iran is reportedly offering cash rewards for anyone who captures or kills an American soldier.Israel eliminated the leader of Hamas’s Northern Gaza Brigade yesterday. The U.S. is set to withdraw all remaining forces from Iraq today and hand security over to Baghdad.A flydubai flight headed to Israel from Dubai was emergency diverted to Saudi Arabia due to a violent incident in the cockpit which is now being investigated as a potential terror attack.--FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Ambassador Jeff Bartos, the U.S. representative for UN management and reform.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

Headlines:China has reportedly sent tons of dual-use components to Iran for use in missiles and drones.Iran is once again threatening to attack its neighbors, this time going after regional airports.Turkey agreed to withdraw from a military base in northern Iraq, handing control back to Baghdad. In exchange, Iraq committed to crack down on armed groups that Ankara considers a threat — namely, groups connected to the Kurdistan Workers Party, otherwise known as the PKK.I mentioned the Saudis just a few minutes ago. And those missiles that were shot down. As it turns out, it was the Greeks who shot down at least one ballistic missile and one drone over Saudi Arabia. And guess what? They did so using the American-made Patriot air defense system. --FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with FDD Research Fellow Ben Cohen.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

Headlines:The State Department approved the potential sale of dozens of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia yesterday. French President Emmanuel Macron met with Jordan’s King Abdullah and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun yesterday as part of a broader effort to raise funds for the Lebanese Armed Forces, or “LAF.”The Trump administration sanctioned members of the Palestinian Liberation Organization and Palestinian Authority, including Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, denying them visas to attend the UN General Assembly in New York next week. Israel and Morocco agreed to upgrade diplomatic ties following a meeting between their foreign ministers on Wednesday.--FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with FDD AI Fellow Leah Siskind.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

Bradley Bowman, senior director of FDD’s Center on Military and Political Power (CMPP), fills in for Jonathan Schanzer, providing timely situational updates and analysis ahead of a conversation with Mark Cancian, senior adviser with the Defense and Security Department at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief