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Trending Issues
Iran
Trump extends pause on striking Iranian energy infrastructure
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Trump extends deadline for Iran to open Strait of Hormuz
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Israel at War
The war In Iran: reshaping the Middle East
HonestReporting Canada
Israel Eliminates Top IRGC Navy Commander Responsible for Closing Strait of Hormuz
Flash Brief
March 12, 2026
12:00 pm
EVENT: Between Ally and Adversary: Turkey’s Strategic Calculus in the Iran War
As the war involving Iran reshapes the strategic landscape of the Middle East, Turkey finds itself navigating one of the most complex geopolitical dilemmas in its modern history. Sharing a long border with Iran and balancing its role as a NATO member with its regional ambitions, Ankara is attempting to manage the fallout of a conflict that could dramatically alter the balance of power across the region. Turkish leaders have condemned U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Iran while simultaneously warning Tehran against expanding the conflict, reflecting a delicate strategy of hedging between competing interests.
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Mark Dubowitz
Chief Executive
- Iran Sanctions
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- Hezbollah
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Jonathan Schanzer
Executive Director
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Behnam Ben Taleblu
Iran Program Senior Director and Senior Fellow
- Iran
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RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery
CCTI Senior Director and Senior Fellow
Richard Goldberg
Senior Advisor
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- Gulf States
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Andrea Stricker
Nonproliferation Program Deputy Director and Research Fellow
Reuel Marc Gerecht
Resident Scholar
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Janatan Sayeh
Research Analyst
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Tsai Ing-wen
Former President of Taiwan
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Overnight Brief: March 26, 2026
Read Full BriefToday In Issues:
FDD Research & Analysis
- "The case for wars of choice," The Washington Times
- "Iran’s Iraqi Militias Are Coming for US Troops," The National Interest
- "Iran’s Most Powerful Weapon? Keeping the Market Guessing," National Review
- "Iron Dome Steps up on Ballistic Missiles," Real Clear Defense
- "8 Key Regime Figures Killed in U.S.-Israeli Strikes on Iran," FDD Insight
- "Tehran Regime Marks Persian New Year With Public Hangings," FDD Policy Brief
- "Iraqi Security Institutions: The Latest Victims of Tehran’s Iraqi Proxies," FDD Policy Brief
- "FCC Ban on Foreign-Produced Routers Targets Chinese Firms Tied to Cybersecurity Risks," FDD Policy Brief
The Must-Reads
- Israel races to hit Iran hard while it still can, officials say
- The Free Press’s Eli Lake: Israel is unpopular. And it’s never had more friends.
- Iran is applying the lessons of Russia’s drone warfare against America
- Iran says it is reviewing a US ceasefire plan but no talks; Trump says Tehran leaders want a deal
- Trump to hit Iran harder if Tehran does not accept defeat, White House says
- AEI’s Michael Rubin: Ending the Iran war without regime change will lead to slaughter
- Russia sought to blackmail US using intelligence to Iran, Zelenskiy says
- Hezbollah chief rejects talks with Israel under fire, vows fighters will continue 'without limits'
- Iranian strikes pose ‘existential threat’, Gulf states tell UN
- Trump’s ambivalence on Taiwan opens a historic opportunity for China
- Iran suspected of creating bogus group to claim attacks in Europe
- Atlantic Council’s Matthew Kroenig: Twilight of the rogue states