April 4, 2025

Welcome to FDD Action's Weekly NatSec Roundup.

☎️ ICYMI: FDD Action hosted a virtual briefing for Hill staff Monday. We laid out the strategy to push Tehran to denuclearize. FDD’s Behnam Ben Taleblu, Andrea Stricker, and Orde Kittrie provided insight on their recent FDD monograph, “Iran’s Nuclear Disarmament: The Only Deal That Protects U.S. and Allied Security.” Congress has a key role to play in strengthening pressure on the Islamic Republic and supporting the Iranian people.

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🚨 NEED-TO-KNOW THIS WEEK

B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber from Whiteman AFB sits on flight line of Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia, in support a Bomber Task Force deployment, Aug. 24, 2020. (US Air Force / Tech. Sgt. Heather Salazar)

1. The U.S. and Iran traded military threats this week amid the Trump administration’s campaign to pressure Iran to the nuclear negotiating table.

“If they don't make a deal there will be bombing. It will be bombing the likes of which they have never seen before,” warned President Trump on Sunday. Tehran returned fire, threatening “a heavy blow in return” as Iranian military leaders teased possible preemptive strikes on U.S. forces at Diego Garcia. Serving as a strategic U.S. military base for operations across the Middle East, Diego Garcia has received a number of B-2 Spirit stealth bombers in recent weeks. Iran also unveiled footage of what it says is a large underground missile facility, the fourth of its kind revealed by the regime in 2025.

Why the U.S. buildup? FDD’s Orde Kittrie explains that the U.S. military buildup is a key component of Maximum Pressure 2.0. “U.S. diplomatic, economic, and military pressure will persuade Iran’s leaders to halt their nuclear weapons program only if paired with a crystal-clear message that the program is futile because U.S. military action ultimately will prevent it from succeeding.”

Telephone Game: Nuclear Edition. Tehran rejected President Trump’s proposal for direct talks in favor of negotiating indirectly via Oman. This comes three weeks after Trump’s March 5 letter to the Ayatollah first proposed the idea of direct talks and issued a two-month deadline for a deal. FDD CEO Mark Dubowitz warns against the U.S. ceding to Iran's demand. At time when the regime in Iran has never been weaker, the U.S. should hold firm to its opening gambit.

What Congress can do: Support the administration’s “maximum pressure” policy against Tehran. On Tuesday, Rep. Zach Nunn (R-IA) reintroduced the FDD Action-endorsed Maximum Pressure Act, which codifies President Trump’s maximum pressure policy. Rep. Joe Wilson also dropped the FDD Action-endorsed Maximum Support Act. Members of Congress should support both initiatives.

2. Israel has expanded its renewed military campaign in Gaza, issuing an evacuation order for the cities of Rafah and Khan Younis. IDF spokesperson Col. Avichay Adraee tweeted that the IDF, “is returning to fight with great force to eliminate the capabilities of terrorist organizations in these areas."

Israel’s new targets: The IDF renewed its military operation against Hamas on March 18 and quickly retook territory it had withdrawn from in January as part of the ceasefire. On March 23, the IDF announced the death of Salah al-Bardawil, who it assesses had directed Hamas’s “strategic and military planning.” A day later, the IDF struck and killed Ismail Barhoum, Hamas’s finance chief and replacement prime minister. By April 2, troops established a new security corridor in southern Gaza and began preparing to separate Rafah from the rest of the Strip.

An elusive hostage deal: U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff submitted a “bridge proposal” in March that would see the original ceasefire extended in exchange for five living and ten deceased hostages. Hamas originally rejected that proposal but pivoted on Saturday and agreed to the deal in exchange for a 50-day ceasefire. Israeli officials countered with a proposal that would see half of the living and dead hostages returned. Neither proposal addresses whether Hamas will be able to stay in power after the war or whether the terror group will be forced to disarm.

Gazans took to the streets last week, chanting “Hamas, get out” and “Hamas are terrorists,” blaming the designated terrorist group for the restart of the war. “The United States should use the ongoing events in Gaza to reinforce to its Arab allies that Hamas must have no role in governing Gaza or maintaining military power in the future,” writes FDD’s Ahmad Sharawi. Hamas responded to the protests with beatings and torture.

A U.S. policy failure: Al Jazeera, Hamas’s media mouthpiece, unsurprisingly lacked coverage of the Gaza protests – a fact that Gazan demonstrators called attention to – documents FDD Action's Managing Director Toby Dershowitz. Qatari-run Al Jazeera has long amplified Hamas’s terror activities. During the Trump administration’s first term, it directed Al Jazeera’s U.S. project, AJ+, to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). That was in 2020. Five years later, it has still failed to do so. FDD’s Natalie Ecanow calls on the Trump administration to finally force AJ+ to register under FARA to, “uphold transparency and show Qatar it is not above the law.”

3. Keeping up with the Axis. The Axis of Aggressors has been busy threatening America and our allies and partners in both eastern Europe and the Indo-Pacific. Here’s the latest from this week:

Chinese showboating in the East China Sea: Beijing conducted two days of military exercises this week with 76 aircraft and 13 naval vessels to practice blockading Taiwan. The exercises follow Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s visit to the Philippines and Japan, where he unveiled plans to expand the scope of upcoming joint U.S.-Philippines military exercises and accelerated efforts for a joint U.S.-Japan operational command in the country. China’s military exercises, intended to undermine America’s renewed security commitments, should instead be met with continued U.S. transit of the Taiwan Strait to demonstrate the limits of China’s supposed control of the waterway, FDD’s Jack Burnham writes.

Putin is wearing out Trump’s patience. President Trump told NBC’s Kristen Welker he was “pissed off” when Putin started questioning President Zelensky’s credibility. Preempting Russian stalling tactics, Trump threatened Russia with secondary tariffs on oil exports “within a month” if Russia gets in the way of a deal. Meanwhile, Russia may have already violated the extremely limited ceasefire on energy infrastructure that it committed to with Ukraine, according to information Kyiv shared with Washington.

Congress doing its part: A bipartisan group of 50 Senators, led by Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) introduced legislation that would impose primary and secondary sanctions against Russia and its supporters if Moscow fails to engage in good faith negotiations with Kyiv, or if it launches another military campaign after a peace deal has been signed. Companion legislation is being introduced in the House of Representatives by Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Joe Wilson (R-SC), Mike Quigley (D-IL), and Marcy Kaptur (D-OH).

🏛️ AT THE WHITE HOUSE

President Trump signs executive order at “Make America Wealthy Again” event in the Rose Garden, April 2, 2025. (Official White House Photo)

1. President Trump unveiled sweeping tariffs on Wednesday. The new scheme imposes a 10% universal tariff effective April 5, with additional import duties on individual nations effective April 9. Retaliatory tariffs have already been announced in response.

U.S.-China tit-for-tat: The announcement included an additional 34% base import duty on China, adding up to a total tariff rate of 54% when combined with the 20% rate already imposed by the administration. Beijing responded this morning announcing 34% tariffs on the U.S. that will go into effect April 10. For context, Chinese President Xi Jinping has declined to engage with the Trump administration on Washington’s increased tariffs on Beijing. “Trump and Xi are locked in a paradox of pressure and pride,” said FDD’s Craig Singleton. “But here’s the dilemma: if [Xi] refuses to engage, the pressure escalates; if he engages too soon, he risks looking weak.”

Tariffs hit U.S. allies, partners too. The additional import duties do not just target our adversaries, they target vital security partners and our closest allies: 32% on Taiwan, 27% on India, 25% on South Korea, 24% on Japan, 20% on the European Union, 17% on Israel and the Philippines. Many of those tariffed are countries the administration has worked to pull away from China since taking office. Others are countries American companies have moved to so as to reduce reliance on China, like Vietnam, which now faces a 46% additional import duty. Despite the “reciprocal tariff” moniker, some of them, like Israel, have zero tariffs on the U.S.

Beijing hopes to poach allies: In preparation for Trump’s broad new tariffs, China announced on Monday it was working to coordinate a response with Japan and South Korea. Although Tokyo and Seoul said no agreement had been made, the South Korean trade ministry confirmed the three nations “exchanged views” and “shared an understanding” of the need for trade cooperation.

American allies respond: EU President Ursula von der Leyen said the bloc was finalizing its countermeasures to earlier tariffs levied on European steel exports and was “preparing more” in response to this new round of duties. She kept the door open to negotiations, however, saying it was “not too late” to avoid a trans-Atlantic trade war. While a 25% tariff on Canadian and Mexican goods not covered by the USMCA remains, the newest slate of tariffs left the two neighbors unscathed. Ontario Premier Doug Ford is hopeful a mutually beneficial trade deal can be reached.

Mixed Reactions from Congress: Within 24 hours of Trump’s tariff announcement, Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) introduced bipartisan legislation that would require congressional approval within 60 days of new tariffs being levied. While tariffs can be an important national security tool, Congress should ensure any tariffs imposed do not empower our adversaries by undermining America’s foundational security partnerships. Let's not forget about Article 1 of the Constitution!

2. TikTok received another 75-day reprieve from President Trump on Friday, one day before his initial hold on forcing the social media platform’s sale from Chinese owner ByteDance was set to expire.

Tick Tock Freeze: The original TikTok forced sale, passed as part of the National Security Act in April 2024, went into effect on January 19, 2025, but it was short-lived. On Trump’s first day in office, he issued an initial 75-day delay to ByteDance for them to find a buyer, giving them until tomorrow, April 5. Prior to issuing another delay, Trump said a sale was “very close.”

Bidding war: According to The Wall Street Journal, mobile tech firm AppLovin has extended an offer to buy the social media app, as have Amazon and U.S. cloud computing company Oracle. Other potential suitors include private equity firms BlackRock and Silver Lake and the venture capital firm Andreessen-Horowitz. U.S. security officials, including Vice President JD Vance, met on Wednesday to discuss a potential TikTok sale and review competing bids.

Don’t forget the reason for the season. TikTok’s sale is not an economic issue. It’s a national security necessity that received broad and bipartisan support in Congress. Passing the law wasn’t enough. Congress should continue to push to ensure TikTok is either taken out of the U.S. or taken out of Chinese hands. ByteDance, who owns TikTok, “is not just a tech company; it is a cog in China’s vast military machinery” and has “improperly accessed sensitive U.S. user data,” which, under Chinese law, is available to the CCP, explain FDD experts.

3. The Trump administration sanctioned a Russian-based Houthi weapons-procurement network on Tuesday, as the White House steps up efforts to isolate Iran and its proxy network even further.

The details: Treasury’s action targeted a network of Houthi financial facilitators and procurement operatives working in coordination with an Iran-backed senior Houthi official. The new sanctions hit five individuals, four companies, and a vessel, all based in Russia, Afghanistan, or Hong Kong. The network has procured tens of millions of dollars worth of Russian commodities, including weapons and stolen Ukrainian grain for shipment to Houthi-controlled Yemen.

Paired with strikes: The financial pressure against the Houthis follows weeks of U.S. airstrikes designed to restore freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. The airstrikes have targeted Houthi military assets and leaders across Yemen, including in the Saada Governorate, the main stronghold of the designated terror group.

Engaging the private sector, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also convened a public-private partnership event with 16 financial institutions focused on denying Tehran access to the global financial system. The first in FinCEN’s private-public partnership exchange series on restoring maximum pressure on Iran, the event discussed Iran’s sprawling global oil and “shadow banking” to help the financial sector better understand Iran’s sanctions evasion tactics so it can comply with sanctions.

Read more: While this type of engagement on sanctions enforcement can be effective, FDD’s Elaine Dezenski and FDD Action’s Matt Zweig recommend “qui tam” provisions, which unleashes the power of the private sector on sanctions enforcement efforts by allowing private individuals and entities to financially benefit from reporting on and tracking sanctions evasion activities.

📆 COMING DOWN THE PIKE

Today, April 4 –

Secretary of State Marco Rubio concludes his visit to the NATO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Brussels. Rubio met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Thursday, where he reiterated the U.S. commitment to the alliance while also reiterating the administration's calls for NATO members to reach 5% defense spending levels.

South Korea, Japan, and the U.S. issued a trilateral statement from Brussels following concerns that Tokyo and Seoul would cooperate with China in response to American tariffs. Washington called its defense commitments to Japan and South Korea “ironclad,” while all three partners emphasized the importance of peace in the Taiwan Strait and reaffirmed commitments to strengthen economic and energy cooperation.

Tuesday, April 8 –

The HOUSE SCIENCE, SPACE, AND TECHNOLOGY Research & Technology Subcommittee holds an open hearing, DeepSeek: A Deep Dive. The subcommittee will receive testimony from AI and technology scholars from Washington-based think tanks and academia.

DeepSeek’s growing concerns: China’s military is rapidly deploying DeepSeek’s AI models for non-combat operations, explains FDD’s Jack Burnham. This aligns with Beijing’s “policy of military-civil fusion, which seeks to incorporate civilian technology firms into the country’s military-industrial base.” Burnham calls on Congress to stymie China’s AI sector by passing legislation to both screen outbound American investment in Chinese technologies and invest more heavily in the U.S. science and technology industrial base.
Looking for budget-friendly options? “Along with reversing cuts to the National Science Foundation, a key investor in AI research, the Trump administration should prioritize permitting reform to accelerate the construction of data centers on federal lands and expanding baseload electricity to power AI development and deployment,” Burnham explains.

The HOUSE ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE holds an open hearing, Revisiting the 2024 Election with Secretaries of State.

Securing U.S. elections: In December, FDD’s Bradley Bowman testified before the House Administration Committee on foreign malign influence targeting the 2024 U.S. election, warning that “China, Russia, and Iran are waging an information war against the United States that includes a focus on the U.S. electoral process.” To deter future malign information campaigns, the U.S. should, “go on the offensive in the information domain to shift the cost-benefit analysis of our adversaries.”

The HOUSE FOREIGN AFFAIRS Oversight & Intelligence Subcommittee holds an open hearing, Deficient, Enfeebled, and Ineffective: The Consequences of the Biden Administration’s Far-Left Priorities on U.S. Foreign Policy.

The HOUSE ARMED SERVICES Cyber, Information Technologies, and Innovation Subcommittee holds an open hearing, Final Report of the National Security Commission for Emerging Biotechnology. The subcommittee will receive testimony from Sen. Todd Young (R-IN), Chair of the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology, and Dr. Michelle Rozo, the Commission’s Vice Chair.

CCP Biotech ambitions: CCP Chairman Xi Jinping has declared technological innovation to be the “main battlefield of the international strategic game” and is pursuing biotechnology advancement for military purposes. Congress can and should get involved to ensure American genetic data remains secure from Beijing, urges FDD’s Craig Singleton.

The HOUSE HOMELAND SECURITY Transportation and Maritime Security Subcommittee holds an open hearing, America on the Global Stage: Examining Efforts to Secure and Improve the U.S. Travel System and Prepare for Significant International Events.

Open arteries: FDD’s Annie Fixler, RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, and Rory Lane spotlight critical cybersecurity vulnerabilities in U.S. transportation infrastructure. The trio calls for Congress to harmonize and deconflict cybersecurity regulations so that maritime, aviation, and rail operators can focus on improving security and resilience, rather than proving their compliance with multiple, redundant regulations. They also urge Congress to authorize and appropriate funding for cybersecurity grant programs across all transportation critical infrastructure subsectors vital to military mobility.

The SENATE ARMED SERVICES Strategic Forces Subcommittee holds a closed hearing to receive updates on the Sentinel Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Program.

The SENATE ARMED SERVICES Seapower Subcommittee holds an open hearing to receive testimony on the state of nuclear shipbuilding. The subcommittee will receive witness testimony from U.S. Navy officials responsible for submarines and aircraft programs and Program Manager for the Maritime Industrial Base Program.

Dry dock: The U.S. Navy plans to expand its battle fleet from 295 vessels today to 381 ships by 2054. But can the U.S. shipbuilding sector support this growth? FDD’s RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery breaks down how U.S. shipbuilding capacity has fallen so far.

The SENATE ARMED SERVICES Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee holds an open hearing to receive testimony on U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) in review of the Defense Authorization Request for FY 2026 and the Future Years Defense Program, to be immediately followed by a closed session. The subcommittee will receive testimony from USSOCOM Commander Gen. Bryan Fenton and Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict Colby Jenkins.

The SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE holds an open hearing, The President’s 2025 Trade Policy Agenda. The committee will receive testimony from U.S. Trade Rep. Jamieson Greer.

The SENATE HEALTH, EDUCATION, LABOR, AND PENSIONS COMMITTEE holds an executive session to consider bills that address antisemitism in U.S. higher education, among others.

Wednesday, April 9 –

The HOUSE ARMED SERVICES Strategic Forces Subcommittee holds an open hearing, FY26 Strategic Forces Posture. The subcommittee will receive testimony from top military officials including USSTRATCOM Commander Gen. Anthony Cotton (USAF), USSPACECOM Commander Gen. Stephen Whiting (USSF), USNORTHCOM Commander Gen. Gregory Guillot (USAF), and Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy John Hill.

The HOUSE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE holds a markup to consider various measures, including bills to impose sanctions against Chinese fentanyl producers and against those engaged in sanctions evasion related to Iranian oil. FDD Action will have more on this later in the week, stay tuned.

The HOUSE ENERGY AND COMMERCE COMMITTEE holds an open hearing, Converting Energy into Intelligence: the Future of AI Technology, Human Discovery, and American Global Competitiveness.

The SENATE ARMED SERVICES Cybersecurity Subcommittee holds an open hearing to receive testimony on U.S. Cyber Command in review of the Defense Authorization Request for FY 2026 and the Future Years Defense Program. The subcommittee will receive testimony from Gen. Timothy D. Haugh, Commander of the U.S. Cyber Command. Oh no: the witness list may likely change, as General Haugh was reportedly fired on Thursday night.

Thursday, April 10 –

The SENATE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE holds a closed hearing to examine the posture of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and U.S. Forces Korea in review of the Defense Authorization Request for FY 2026 and the Future Years Defense Program. The committee will receive testimony from USINDOPACOM Commander Adm. Samuel J. Paparo and Gen. Xavier T. Brunson, Commander of U.S. Combined Forces Command Korea.

🔍 WHAT'S MOVING ON THE HILL

✔ Endorsed Bill: The Maximum Pressure Act (H.R. 2570) – Led by Republican Study Committee National Security Task Force Chairman Rep. Zach Nunn (R-IA) and cosponsored by 40 Representatives, this bill codifies the Trump administration’s maximum pressure policy and imposes severe sanctions on the Islamic Republic, including on Iranian banks and its drone program. FDD Action’s Nick Stewart called this bill the “toughest sanctions ever proposed by Congress” and a “decisive step toward ensuring Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon.” (FDD Press Release)

✔ Endorsed Letter: Bilirakis-Schneider Letter to European Parliament – Led by Reps. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Brad Schneider (D-IL), this letter urges the EU to finally designate Hezbollah in full as a terrorist organization. Currently, the EU only considers Hezbollah’s so-called “military wing” as a terrorist organization, but not their political wing. The European Parliament has also yet to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a critical key financial benefactor of Hezbollah. (FDD Endorsement)

✔ Endorsed Letter: Mast-Risch Letter to the UN Human Rights Council – Led by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) and Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Sen. Jim Risch (R-ID), this letter warns UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that the U.S. will pursue sanctions against the UN Human Rights Council if the body votes to establish an international investigative mechanism focused on Israel. FDD Action's Nick Stewart labeled the Council “deeply flawed and morally compromised” and applauded Congress’s resolve in ending the UN’s hostility towards Israel. (Press Release)

✗ Failed Resolutions of Disapproval: Sanders-led Joint Resolutions of Disapproval for Israeli Weapons – The Senate overwhelmingly opposed two joint resolutions of disapproval introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) seeking to halt the Trump administration’s planned sale of $8.8 billion in weapons sales to Israel. Just 15 Senators supported the resolutions, which FDD Action called “reckless” and urged Senators to vote against. Senator Sanders introduced similar resolutions of disapproval in November, which were also overwhelmingly rejected.

💡 HERE'S AN IDEA (OR TWO)

Pair maximum military and economic pressure on Iran with “maximum support” for the Iranian people. Iranian journalist and women’s rights activist Masih Alinejad joined FDD CEO Mark Dubowitz on the “Iran Breakdown” podcast to discuss how the Iranian people are speaking out and fighting back against Tehran’s brutal oppression.

White Wednesdays: As freedom protests in Iran exploded in 2022, Alinejad encouraged Iranian women to reject wearing the hijab and wear white on Wednesdays. “It’s all about civil disobedience. When you ask a woman to say no to the compulsory hijab...when they waive a white headscarf in public every Wednesday, they identify each other. Men see them and they say ‘wow, it’s beautiful, we want to be part of it.’ Instead of creating a political movement, you can say to every single person you can be part of this fight against this barbaric regime.”
United for Navid: According to Alinejad, “sport became a place, sport washing, a tool in the hand of the regime, the Revolutionary Guard, to whitewash this murderous regime.” That led her to found United for Navid. “Navid Afkari was an Iranian athlete. He was executed by the regime and the whole society were there to save his life... I learned from my campaign – previous campaign from Iranian women that this is a time we should do something. We should mobilize this time the athletes... this time were the athletes, well-known celebrities making videos and calling the international community to ban Islamic Republic.”
What Congress can do: Reps. Joe Wilson (R-SC) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) introduced the Maximum Support Act (H.R. 2614) on Wednesday. FDD’s Behnam Ben Taleblu breaks down the bill’s key provisions and importance for President Trump’s “maximum pressure” campaign. “Specifically, the Maximum Support Act calls for a series of enhanced internet security measures allowing for greater communication and coordination between Iranian protestors...Moreover, the bill calls for a strategy to facilitate and manage regime defections aimed at gutting the regime’s will to continue its heavy-handed crackdowns.” Taleblu argues maximum support is essential for bringing Tehran to the nuclear negotiating table, especially as Iran rejects U.S. offers of diplomacy.

📣 WINNING MESSAGES

📘 KEEPING UP W/ FDD

On Iran

Maximum Support? – Why U.S. Aid to Iran’s Civil Society Falls Short (Janatan Sayeh | FDD Policy Insight | March 27, 2025)

Houthis – Why Trump Can’t Beat the Houthis (Reuel Marc Gerecht | UnHerd | March 28, 2025)

Global Pressure – Australia Must Join Maximum Pressure Against Iran (Saeed Ghasseminejad and Dr. Reza Arab | The National Interest | March 31, 2025)

Iran’s Economy – Why Inflation Haunts Iran (Saeed Ghasseminejad | Globes | April 3, 2025)

On Israel

Turkish Terror Support – Hamas and Turkey: Partners in Terror (Jonathan Schanzer, Sinan Ciddi, Melissa Sacks, and Michael Rubin | FDD Memo | March 28, 2025)

Weapons to Qatar – Instead of Rewarding Qatar With Weapons Sales, Washington Should Use Them as Leverage (Natalie Ecanow | FDD Policy Brief | March 31, 2025)

Curtailing Hezbollah – Pretending to Disarm Hezbollah Won’t Work (Hussain Abdul-Hussain | This Is Beirut | April 1, 2025)

Israeli Strikes – ‘Clear Message and a Warning’: IDF Targets Former Assad Regime Military Sites in Syria Overnight (FDD Flash Brief | April 3, 2025)

On China

Mineral Security – Trump Takes Aim at Chinese Minerals Chokehold, Paving Path for Increased Investment (Elaine Dezenski and Alexander St. Leger | FDD Policy Brief | March 28, 2025)

PLA Exercises – Signaling Displeasure With Washington, China Conducts Military Exercises Around Taiwan (Jack Burnham | FDD Policy Brief | April 3, 2025)

On Russia & Ukraine

Information War – Europe Must Take the Lead (Ivana Stradner and Marina Chernin | Kyiv Post | April 2, 2024)

In Other News

Baltic Security – Army’s Swamp Tragedy Shows America Who Our Friends Are (Peter Doran | New York Post | April 1, 2025)

Trump's Foreign Policy – Trump Administration Foreign Policy Tracker: April (FDD Tracker | April 3, 2025)

ICC Pressure – ‘No Longer an Impartial Court’: Hungary Announced Withdrawal From ICC (FDD Flash Brief | April 3, 2025)

💓🎗️ ON A LIGHTER NOTE…

Amit Soussana accepts an International Woman of Courage award at the White House, April 2, 2025. (Official White House Photo)

Woman of Courage: Secretary of State Marco Rubio awarded Amit Soussana, an Israeli formerly held hostage by Hamas, with the International Women of Courage Award. The award recognizes, “women from around the world who have demonstrated exceptional courage, strength, and leadership.”

Amit’s Story: Amit was taken hostage by Hamas on October 7, 2023, and was freed during a November 2023 ceasefire. Since returning to Israel, Soussana has publicly recalled being sexually assaulted by her terrorist captors. The State Department’s award notes that Soussana has been a “courageous advocate” for survivors of Hamas’ massacre and hostage-taking and has raised awareness of the conditions of those who remain held in Gaza.

👋 Thanks for sticking with us! Until next week.

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