March 28, 2025

Welcome to FDD Action's Weekly NatSec Roundup.

☕ LAST CALL: RSVP to attend our NDAA 101 training on the Hill at 9:30am on April 3. We'll provide a primer on best practices to maximize success. Coffee and pastries provided - join us to kick off your day!

✖️ Behnam Ben Taleblu is now on X! Senior Director of FDD's Iran Program and a foremost expert on Iranian military power and strategy, Behnam is your go-to resource on Iran. Follow him today!

💡 Have news tips or other feedback? Just reply to this email—we’d love to hear from you.

📧 Want to join our subscribers list? Register here.

🚨 NEED-TO-KNOW THIS WEEK

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth greets service members at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam this week, emphasizing the importance of readiness and deterrence in the Indo-Pacific. (Official DoD Photo)

1. Concerns regarding Iran’s robust missile capabilities, its expanded nuclear program, and its growing cooperation with Russia and China led off the Intelligence Community's Annual Threat Assessment this week, as intelligence leaders testified before House and Senate committees.

Clarifying Iran's nuclear intent: Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard assessed, “Iran is not building a nuclear weapon.” However, this assessment is somewhat misleading. As FDD's Andrea Stricker explains, Iranian experts are reportedly undertaking key activities that would shorten the regime’s timeline to nuclear weapons, should Iran decide to build them, demonstrating a clear shift in strategy and intent.
Just last month, the IAEA, the UN’s nuclear watchdog, reported that Iran had increased its stock of highly enriched uranium by 50% since November 2024. This is enough for at least 17 nuclear weapons. Of the nine necessary components for a nuclear device, including explosive charges and a missile delivery system, Stricker estimates that Tehran has completed at least six, with the rest able to be completed within months.
Iran’s growing ties to China and Russia threaten U.S. interests in the Middle East and globally. Gabbard judged that these growing ties are, “increasing [Iran’s] fortitude against the United States.” Back in February, FDD’s Anthony Ruggiero testified before the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, exposing how China has helped Iran skirt U.S. oil sanctions to fund Tehran’s malign activities. A week later, Treasury sanctioned six Chinese entities that served as “key suppliers” for Iran’s illicit UAV procurement networks.
Read more: How close is Tehran to crossing the nuclear threshold? FDD’s comprehensive collection of infographics breaks down Iran’s increasing uranium stockpile and progress toward weaponization.

2. The United States announced a maritime ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine on Tuesday after another round of talks with both parties in Saudi Arabia. This agreement is another step toward a broader ceasefire, following the announcement of an energy ceasefire last week.

The details: Kyiv and Moscow both agreed to “ensure safe navigation, eliminate the use of force, and prevent the use of commercial vessels for military purposes in the Black Sea.” Additionally, the U.S. agreed to help restore Russia’s global access to fertilizer and agricultural exports, which are not currently subject to U.S. sanctions.
One agreement, two (mis)understandings: Russia noted that it would only honor the ceasefire if Western sanctions on Russian financial institutions that facilitate agricultural trade were lifted. Moscow also demanded its banks be reconnected with SWIFT, the global messaging service for financial transactions. The EU, where SWIFT is headquartered, is unlikely to cede to Moscow’s demand.
Russia has reneged on commitments many times before, complicating the Trump administration’s pursuit of a ceasefire. On March 7, President Trump tweeted that he was “strongly considering” widespread sanctions and tariffs on Russia’s banks following a massive missile and drone attack on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. Just last week, a Russian drone hit a Ukrainian hospital, hours after Washington said Moscow agreed to an "energy and infrastructure" ceasefire. (After the strike, Moscow 'clarified' they only meant an "energy infrastructure" ceasefire.)
To hold Russia accountable, the U.S. must increase pressure on Putin by speeding up the flow of U.S. military aid to Ukraine and levying economic sanctions that “bite like a crocodile rather than a mosquito,” says FDD Founder Clifford D. May. This will force a weakened Putin to the table for a lasting ceasefire and give Ukraine time to rest and rebuild.
What Congress can do: Congress can reinforce pressure by enacting legislation that codifies and expands measures against Russia’s energy exports. Additionally, Congress should allocate greater resources to enhance monitoring and enforcement of sanctions, reducing the potential for evasion. Finally, lawmakers should intensify cooperation with European and international allies to align sanctions policies, thereby closing loopholes and presenting a unified stance against Russian economic influence.

3. Congress steps up efforts to target antisemitism on college campuses. Both chambers zeroed in on addressing rampant campus antisemitism, continuing momentum to safeguard America’s elite research universities from malign foreign and anti-American influences.

Student group under the microscope: The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pension (HELP) Committee launched an investigation into American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), which provides funding and training to Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP). Letters sent by Committee Chairman Bill Cassidy (R-LA) to AMP and multiple U.S. universities mark the first time the Senate has investigated the organization.
Last year in the House, the Oversight Committee sought financial information from AMP and the Ways and Means Committee recommended revoking AMP's tax-exempt status.
More on AMP: In November 2023, FDD Executive Director Jonathan Schanzer testified to the House Ways and Means Committee about AMP, its finances, and its activities on U.S. campuses. His conclusion? “Several AMP founders and leaders” previously worked for the Islamic Association for Palestine, which was founded by senior Hamas leader Mousa Abu Marzook and ceased operations in 2004 after being charged for funneling money to Hamas.
The HELP Committee was busy on Thursday, also holding the Senate’s first hearing on campus antisemitism since October 7, 2023. As Chairman Cassidy stated, "Universities have been put on notice: failing to protect a student’s civil rights will no longer be tolerated."
The House was also busy, overwhelmingly passing the FDD Action-endorsed DETERRENT Act (H.R.1048). Led by Rep. Michael Baumgartner (R-WA) and House Education & Workforce Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI), this bill enhances reporting requirements on foreign financial gifts to U.S. colleges and universities.
Why it matters: FDD’s Natalie Ecanow recently laid out how the DETERRENT Act would help secure America’s higher education from foreign adversaries. It is important that we track how much foreign funding (and from where) is being pumped into U.S. campuses.

🏛️ AT THE WHITE HOUSE

1. The Trump administration took action this week to limit the People's Republic of China's (PRC) ability to acquire advanced technologies by placing more than 70 Chinese firms on the U.S. export control entity list.

This move significantly restricts American companies from selling sensitive technology to these firms without explicit approval from the U.S. government, creating a powerful barrier against Chinese efforts to harness American technological advancements to accelerate their own.
It targeted emerging tech firms with ties to the CCP and its military, including 12 entities with close ties to the PRC’s military-industrial complex engaged in advanced AI development, 27 entities that have attempted to acquire U.S.-based components for hypersonic weapons, and seven entities involved with procuring U.S. quantum computing technologies.
China’s tech strategy: FDD’s Craig Singleton explains that Beijing sees technological innovation as the “main battlefield” of U.S.-China competition, including advanced batteries, drones, and biotechnology. “By dominating these sectors, Beijing aims to ensure Chinese technology is deeply embedded within critical American supply chains... thereby converting China’s commercial success into a powerful geopolitical tool of leverage.”
The next steps: To safeguard U.S. economic security, Singleton urges policymakers to tighten outbound export controls and investment screening to constrict China’s technological progress. President Trump’s “America First Investment Policy” will help by increasing visibility into U.S. investments in critical PRC sectors, write FDD’s Elaine Dezenski and Max Meizlish.
What else can Congress do? Biotechnology is at the center of President Xi’s malign military-civil fusion strategy. One thing Congress can do is increase funding and resources for the U.S. intelligence community and Pentagon dedicated to biotech issues, Singleton explains. This would bolster the nation's ability to assess and respond to biotech threats. Read more on the biotech threat plus concrete policy recs here.

2. On Monday, Trump announced a 25% tariff on any nation that imports Venezuelan oil, continuing his broad use of economic tools to target U.S. adversaries. At the same time, he extended Chevron’s license to operate in Venezuela until late May.

Targeting Beijing's imports: Since taking office, Trump has levied blanket tariffs on China twice, now at a total rate of 20%. China also happens to be Venezuela’s largest oil export market, accounting for 55% of its hydrocarbon exports. Independent Chinese oil refineries, known as "teapots," are the main buyers of Venezuelan oil. China has reportedly paused new purchases from Venezuela following the tariff announcement.
Targeting Chinese Independent Refiners: The Trump administration has previously targeted independent Chinese oil importers, including by sanctioning a teapot refinery last week for buying millions of dollars of Iranian oil. FDD’s Behnam Ben Taleblu called that round of sanctions (which also targeted the companies and vessels shipping Iranian oil to China) “the most significant” of the second Trump term. Taleblu welcomed future penalties against PRC ports, refineries, and financial institutions facilitating Iran’s illicit oil trade.

📆 COMING DOWN THE PIKE

Today, March 28 –

Vice President JD Vance is leading a delegation to Greenland. Second Lady Usha Vance was originally scheduled to attend a public dogsled race but following recent anti-America demonstrations across Greenland, the couple will instead visit a U.S. military installation.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth meets with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos and his defense counterpart, Gilberto Teodoro, to discuss “more significant support” to Philippine security forces and increasingly aggressive Chinese actions in the South China Sea.

Tuesday, April 1–

The HOUSE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE holds an open hearing, A Return to Maximum Pressure: Comprehensively Countering the Iranian Regime’s Malign Activities.

The laundry list: Two months into his second term, President Trump has taken tangible steps to reimpose “maximum pressure” on Tehran. What else can be done? Earlier this year, FDD outlined numerous additional steps the Trump administration could take to maximize pressure on Iran’s oil revenues – including waivers, licenses, and sanctions.

The HOUSE HOMELAND SECURITY COMMITTEE holds an open hearing, Exploring the Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems Across the DHS Enterprise.

The HOUSE HOMELAND SECURITY Cybersecurity Subcommittee holds an open hearing, Cybersecurity is Local, Too: Assessing the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program.

The HOUSE ENERGY AND COMMERCE Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee holds an open hearing, Aging Technology, Emerging Threats: Examining Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities in Legacy Medical Devices.

Heart attack: The Government Accountability Office (GAO) warned in November that HHS has failed to adequately address cyber vulnerabilities in the U.S. healthcare system. “The healthcare and public health sector consistently suffers more ransomware attacks than all other critical infrastructure sectors,” writes FDD’s Annie Fixler. She says Congress must boost cyber funding for rural hospitals and codify HHS’s cyber risk management protocols to address this critical security concern.

The SENATE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE holds an open hearing to examine the nomination of Lieutenant General John D. Caine (Retired) to be General and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Department of Defense.

Wednesday, April 2 –

The HOUSE OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY Military Subcommittee holds an open hearing, Salt Typhoon: Securing America’s Telecommunications from State-Sponsored Cyber Attacks.

Salt on an open wound: The Salt Typhoon cyber campaign was the third in a series of PRC-directed cyberattacks targeting U.S. communications and critical infrastructure. FDD’s Jack Burnham breaks down their impact and what lawmakers can do to strengthen U.S. cybersecurity.

The HOUSE ARMED SERVICES Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee holds an open hearing, Small UAS and Counter-Small UAS: Gaps, Requirements, and Projected Capabilities.

Thursday, April 3 –

NATO Foreign Ministers meet in Brussels through Friday. The conference agenda has yet to be formally announced.

The U.S.-CHINA ECONOMIC AND SECURITY REVIEW COMMISSION holds an open hearing, The Rocket’s Red Glare: China’s Ambitions to Dominate Space.

🔍 WHAT'S MOVING ON THE HILL

✔ Endorsed Bill: The Accountability for Terrorist Perpetrators of October 7th Act (H.R.2346/S.1126) – Led by Reps. Brad Sherman (D-CA), and Middle East Subcommittee Chairman Mike Lawler (R-NY) in the House of Representatives and Sens. Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and Adam Schiff (D-CA) in the Senate, this bipartisan bill mandates the imposition of sanctions on the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC), the third largest terror group in the Gaza Strip. (Press Release)

Dive deeper: The Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) is a loose coalition of armed Palestinian terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Since its founding in 2000, the PRC has carried out numerous attacks against Israelis and Americans with Tehran's support. PRC terrorists joined Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel. Despite all this, the PRC is currently not a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization.

✔ PASSED - DETERRENT Act (March 26): The House of Representatives passed the bipartisan DETERRENT Act on Thursday by a vote of 241-169. The bill increases transparency of foreign funds flowing into America's colleges and universities, particularly from countries like China and Qatar.

💡 HERE'S AN IDEA (OR TWO)

The only acceptable deal with Iran is one that includes the full, permanent, and verifiable disarmament of its nuclear program. FDD’s Behnam Ben Taleblu, Andrea Stricker, and Orde Kittrie outlined elements of what a strong deal in America's interests should look like:

Adherence to international obligations: Iran must permanently adhere to and comply with all of its Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and Chemical Weapons Convention obligations. Separately, the United Nations Security Council should “snap back” prior resolutions and associated trade prohibitions on Iran’s nuclear, missile, and military programs.
Complete disclosure of nuclear work: Iran must provide a correct and complete description of past Iranian nuclear activities, including what the IAEA refers to as “possible military dimensions.” The regime must also provide a correct and complete data declaration of its current nuclear sites, activities, material, and equipment.
Unimpeded access and verification: Iran must not sanitize, dismantle, destroy, or relocate nuclear program documentation, equipment, and sites without IAEA participation. Iran must facilitate full and timely IAEA access, by inspectors of the IAEA’s choosing, to current and former nuclear program personnel, documentation, equipment, and sites, including military sites.
Isolation from the Axis of Aggressors: Iran must terminate military and technical assistance to the Russian Federation, including but not limited to support for weapons, material, and training for drones, ballistic missiles, or other platforms. Further, Iran must detail its past, and any ongoing, nuclear and missile cooperation with North Korea, China, Russia, and other states.

In a new monograph out this week, FDD’s RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, Annie Fixler, and Rory Lane propose urgent policy recommendations for lawmakers to secure our vital transportation arteries. Any direct military engagement with a near-peer adversary would require the U.S. to swiftly mobilize and deploy a sizable military force. But the cybersecurity of our nation's air, rail, and maritime infrastructure is insufficient for such a conflict.

Here's what the U.S. can do to address the problem:

Harmonize regulations: This should remain a priority for Congress so that maritime, aviation, and rail operators can focus on improving their security and resilience rather than proving their compliance with multiple, redundant regulations.
FAA cyber road map: The FAA should prioritize technology modernization, cybersecurity, and cyber-physical resilience upgrades of systems critical to air traffic control as key pillars of its NextGen program.
Railroad supply chain risk assessment: The president should task the Department of Commerce, in collaboration with DoD, TSA, and the Federal Railroad Administration, with producing a supply chain risk assessment to determine critical components for the rail subsector and their reliance on Chinese-origin supply chains.

📣 WINNING MESSAGES

📘 KEEPING UP W/ FDD

On Iran

Houthi Strikes – The Big Question: Will American Airpower Crush the Houthis? (Seth J. Frantzman | 1945 | March 21, 2025)

Houthi Weapons – Advanced Weapons for Houthis Intercepted at Oman-Yemen Border (Ahmad Sharawi and Bridget Toomey | FDD Policy Brief | March 26, 2025)

Economic Pressure – ‘Maximum Pressure’: Iran’s Rial Hits Record Low Due to U.S. Sanctions (FDD Flash Brief | March 26, 2025)

On Israel

Higher Ed – A Deported Brown University Professor’s Hezbollah Ties (Emanuele Ottolenghi | FDD’s Long War Journal | March 23, 2025)

Al Jazeera – The Trump Administration Should Bring Al Jazeera in Line with US Law (Natalie Ecanow | Jewish National Syndicate | March 24, 2025)

Gaza Protests – Palestinians in Gaza Protest Against Hamas Rule (Ahmad Sharawi | FDD Policy Brief | March 27, 2025)

On China

Space Tech – Showcasing Advanced Space Capabilities, China Displays ‘Dogfighting’ Maneuvers in Low Earth Orbit (Jack Burnham | FDD Policy Brief | March 21, 2025)

Tech Race – Funding For R&D Isn’t a Gift to Academia. It’s Vital to U.S. Security. (Matt Pottinger and Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) | The Washington Post | March 24, 2025)

China Tech – China’s Tech Triple Play Threatens U.S. National Security (Craig Singleton | Real Clear Defense | March 25, 2025)

Critical Infrastructure – Military Mobility Depends on Secure Critical Infrastructure (RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery and Annie Fixler | FDD Monograph | March 27, 2025)

On Russia & Ukraine

Russian Roulette – Obama and Biden’s Failed Russia Policies (Clifford D. May | The Washington Times | March 26, 2025)

In Other News

U.S. Intelligence – ‘Increasing Fortitude’: U.S. Intelligence Report Highlights Threats From Axis of Aggressors (FDD Flash Brief | March 26, 2025)

Cyber Cuts – Stop Gutting America’s Cyber Defense Agency (RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery and Johanna Yang | The Hill | March 26, 2025)

Turkey – Turkey’s Readmission to the F-35 Program Must Come with a Cost (Jonathan Schanzer and Sinan Ciddi | The Hill | March 26, 2025)

🌸 ON A LIGHTER NOTE…

It's that time of year again: The National Park Service forecasts that Washington, D.C.'s cherry blossoms will reach peak bloom between March 28 and 31. Approximately 70% of the Yoshino cherry tree blossoms around the Tidal Basin are open, offering the best views.

The history: D.C.'s iconic cherry blossoms have long symbolized the enduring friendship between the United States and Japan. In 1912, Tokyo's Mayor Yukio Ozaki gifted approximately 3,000 cherry trees to Washington, D.C., to celebrate the growing camaraderie between the two nations. First Lady Helen Herron Taft and Viscountess Chinda, wife of the Japanese ambassador, planted the first two trees on the north bank of the Tidal Basin on March 27, 1912—a gesture that blossomed into the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival.

👋 Thanks for sticking with us! Until next week.

P.S. If you liked this and don’t want to wait another week for more, check out FDD Action’s new X account for endorsement updates and timely analysis on breaking national security news.