FDD's Center on Military & Political Power (CMPP)

Countering the Axis of Aggressors with CMPP’s LTG (Ret.) H.R. McMaster, GEN (Ret.) Laura Richardson, and Senior Director Bradley Bowman @FDD @Brad_L_Bowman @LTGHRMcMaster fdd.org/events/2025/10…

Canceled Poland Deployment Further Weakens American Deterrence in Europe @FDD CMPP’s Cameron McMillan and @RyanBrobst_ fdd.org/analysis/2026/…

What is happening in the U.S.-Israel relationship and what should be the future of American foreign military financing for Israel and research and development cooperation? I joined @aaron_tilton on @dwnews to discuss youtube.com/watch?v=b9Z7Yw…

The Axis of Aggressors and Unraveling World Order @FDD_CMPP Advisor Amb. Eric Edelman joins me in this new episode of @FDD's Foreign Podicy to discuss evolving threats and U.S. responses, Axis of Aggressors cooperation, Trump's trip to China, the defense budget request, the defense industrial base, U.S. policy in Europe, Erdogan, nuclear threats, and more. fdd.org/podcasts/2026/…

Russian security assistance is creating problems on the Korean Peninsula Many focus on how North Korea has supported Putin's aggression in Ukraine but ignore how Moscow is reciprocating and changing the balance of power on the Korean Peninsula. New @FDD_CMPP analysis here by @L_Rolleigh and @RyanBrobst_ in @FDD's @LongWarJournal fdd.org/analysis/2026/…

.@Brad_L_Bowman: “Iran’s attacks are underscoring yet again that the regime in Tehran is the leading threat to regional security and freedom of navigation. Tehran’s repeated attacks against the UAE are incentivizing Abu Dhabi to significantly deepen cooperation with Jerusalem. That is great news for both countries, a welcome development in Washington, and a nightmare for the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

The Trump administration requested an extraordinary 44 percent increase in defense spending in its roughly $1.5 trillion Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 defense budget proposal in April. That level of defense spending would represent a vital and belated step to begin to reverse a long-term failure of both parties to invest sufficient resources in America’s military. Our monthly assessment of the Trump administration's defense policy and strategy 👇 @FDD_CMPP @FDD #trending_neutral-defense" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">fdd.org/analysis/2026/…

China is reimagining how future wars will be fought. The PLA's embrace of "intelligentized warfare" integrates AI, robotics, and unmanned systems into frontline operations. Robotic wolves are only the first wave—the U.S. must act now to constrain the ecosystems behind these capabilities. New FDD Memo by @CraigMSingleton, @JackBurnham802, Duncan Lazarow & Anika Iyer:bit.ly/4w873K9

🧵The U.S. is going to deliver the first KC-46 to Israel soon. This will represent a belated and much-needed modernization and improvement to Israel's air refueling capabilities. Israel's current refuelers are roughly as old as some of the parents of the Israelis flying them. This will be the first of six procured by Israel, which will add unique systems to its version of the KC-46, as it does with all aircraft it procures from the United States. jpost.com/israel-news/de…

🧵U.S. military posture in Europe, including in Germany, not only strengthens deterrence against additional Kremlin aggression but also facilitates the projection of American military power into the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and Africa. The primary victim of a withdrawal of U.S. troops from Germany would be American national security interests, and the primary beneficiary would be Vladimir Putin.

The New York Times article includes this information near the end: "Moscow has provided intelligence to Tehran, including satellite imagery showing the locations of American warships and military personnel, according to U.S. officials. European officials have warned that Russia may be preparing to deliver advanced drones to Iran." Here are more details on how the two Axis of Aggressors countries have cooperated:

🧵The first histories of the 40-Day War against Iran are being written. The truth is more nuanced than many suggest. Here's a growing thread with the truth as I currently understand it. Getting the facts right is a vital strategic, defense, and foreign policy endeavor for Americans.

Some much-needed strategic clarity from @FDD_CMPP Chair @LTGHRMcMaster in this new @politico interview. Regardless of whether the clickbait title makes you happy or angry, ignore the distraction and read what H.R. actually says. politi.co/4cvxh1H

Trump Administration Requests Extraordinary $1.5 Trillion Defense Budget Why is an increased defense budget necessary? What are some highlights? And what should Congress do now? My latest @FDD @FDD_CMPP policy brief w/ @RyanBrobst_ and Cameron McMillan fdd.org/analysis/2026/…

🧵The Department of Defense released its Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Request Here's a growing thread over the next few days with some highlights, analysis, and context... war.gov/News/Releases/…

And a great follow question @ByChrisGordon that unfortunately was not answered clearly. "Q: Thank you. Chris Gordon, Air & Space Forces magazine. I also have a question on the munitions expended against Iran. But I understand it's not reflected in this budget, but how long will it take to replenish these munitions? I mean, as you've highlighted, it takes years to get munitions. So, are you already planning ahead for that for next year? And how long do you think it will take to replenish the department's stocks from what's been used?" Here's my answer: The bipartisan failure for years to spend enough on defense to build munition and interceptor production capacity and inventories left the United States in a bad position going into Epic Fury. While the threat from Iran was real and growing (but not imminent) and it is an unambiguously good for U.S. national security interests that the Iranian military was severely weakened and degraded (not destroyed) by the 40-Day War, we now confront an even more serious munitions and interceptor crisis. I am worried about what insufficient inventories means in terms of our ability to confront China or Russia in a major war if they launch new aggression in the near term (And yes Beijing and Moscow already know this. Do you?). As Ryan Brobst and I argued in our April 2025 Arsenal of Democracy report, we must sprint to dramatically expand America's production capacity for key munitions and systems (see our 18 recommendations there). It will take years to rebuild some of our inventories. The Pentagon, Congress, and industry must do everything possible to shorten these timelines and procure the maximum quantities. China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea may make decisions about new aggression based on their assessment of both our will and capability to oppose that aggression. If they don't believe we have the capability to defeat their aggression (which might take much more than 40 days of war to defeat), we may increase the chances they will choose to launch the aggression. And if deterrence fails and Russia or China launch aggression in the Baltics or against Taiwan, respectively, and we have not sprinted between now and then to reconstitute and expand our inventories, we will sustain greater losses and the risks of U.S. failure will be higher. Partisans will attempt to use this to support their viewpoints, but this is the real deal and serious Americans will work together to solve it. Good policy starts with a sober assessment of reality. A respectful note to Democrat members: You may not support the war against Iran, but don't punish our service members by depriving them of the tools they will need in the Baltics or in the First Island Chain to accomplish their missions, defend our country, defeat authoritarian aggression, and return home to their families. Anyone who blocks or reduces funding to reconstitute and expand our munition and interceptor production capacity and inventories may have much to answer for in the future. You want increased domestic spending. Good. But if there is a major war in Baltics and the Pacific and you stopped or reduced funding for munitions and we have troops running out of munitions how will you feel? Do you really want to hold necessary defense spending hostage to increased domestic spending? Think who will be most impacted by that. Make your argument for domestic spending and higher taxes on the wealthy. Convince Americans and your colleagues. Build your coalition. Push for what you want. But don't hold hostage the needs of those whom Washington sends to war. A respectful note to Republican members: The problem with munitions is worse than you think. Congress has consistently failed to authorize and appropriate enough funding for munitions and interceptors. Many Republicans have consistently not demanded that we procure the maximum quantity of key munitions that industry can produce. We have left available production capacity unused. We are paying for that now. Conflict in the Baltics or the Pacific could come sooner than some expect. 2026 is not 1991. We must sprint. Don't accept what you are first told in Pentagon or industry briefings. Check and press. Act like the Constitution's independent Article 1 Branch. The Article 2 Branch does not have a monopoly on wisdom. Demand that we produce more and move faster. Focus on what our troops need, not what is built in your district or state. Actions today will save lives tomorrow. Yes, you may oppose increased taxes for the wealthy and yes you may oppose increased domestic spending, but are some reasonable compromises necessary to ensure our country is defended and our troops have what they need? We need statesmen and women right now, not partisans. fdd.org/wp-content/upl…

CMPP Chair @LTGHRMcMaster joins @JSchanzer on the @FDD Morning Brief

Meanwhile, in the South China Sea, the Chinese Communist Party is shifting the status quo and undermining core American economic and national security interests related to freedom of navigation. The CCP is hoping their incremental gray zone steps escape Washington's attention and don't elicit an American response. The United States, as well as our allies and partners who share the same interests, must push back by regularly flying and sailing together where the law permits. An important @FDD policy brief by @CraigMSingleton and Duncan Lazarow fdd.org/analysis/2026/…

Marine Expeditionary Units are in the news. Some don't know the difference between a MEU, an ARG, and a BLT. If that's you, start by reading this '8 things to know' by two @FDD_CMPP experts fdd.org/analysis/2026/…

Iran used Chinese spy satellite to target U.S. military bases, @FT reports. “Iran secretly acquired a Chinese spy satellite that gave the Islamic republic a powerful new capability to target US military bases across the Middle East during the recent war,” an FT investigation reports. "Time-stamped coordinate lists, satellite imagery and orbital analysis show that Iranian military commanders later tasked the satellite to monitor key US military sites. The images were taken in March before and after drone and missile strikes on those locations." "The logs show that the satellite captured images of Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia on March 13, 14 and 15." What do you think of that Riyadh? Perhaps a topic for your next meeting with Chinese officials. "On March 14, US President Donald Trump confirmed US planes at the base had been hit. Five US Air Force refuelling planes were damaged." I wonder if the White House has expressed any concern on this to Beijing? Looking at you again Congress... The satellite was reportedly built and launched by a Chinese company. The IRGC was granted access to ground stations operated by a Beijing-based provider. So, Beijing is providing chemical precursors for use in Iran's ballistic missiles and a Chinese company reportedly built and deployed a satellite that helped Iran target U.S. bases. Watch this space for more on growing Axis of Aggressors cooperation. @FDD @FDD_CMPP @FDD_CCTI @FDD_CEFP ft.com/content/1fddd2…

8 Things To Know About Marine Expeditionary Units @FDD_CMPP experts Logan Rolleigh and Cameron McMillan lay out the details.