Content

Report

Jun 2, 2025

Hyperwar, artificial intelligence, and Homo sapiens

By Can Kasapoğlu

With the rise of autonomous weapon systems in distributed battlegrounds, the neuroanatomical outlook of warfare may be evolving into a new reality.

Artificial Intelligence Defense Technologies

AfricaSource

May 15, 2025

African governments should rethink their approach to combating money laundering and terrorist financing

By Benjamin Mossberg

African countries can bolster financial inclusion and tap economic growth opportunities—while preventing the abuse of the global financial system by nefarious actors.

Africa Digital Currencies

In the News

May 13, 2025

Cole interviews US Marine Corps Major General Peter D. Huntley on MARSOC podcast

On April 25, Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow August Cole sat down with US Marine Corps Major General Peter D. Huntley, Commander of the Marine Forces Special Operations Command (MARSOC), to discuss the command’s future pathways and the strategic challenges it faces today.

Conflict Defense Policy

Insights & Impact

Apr 17, 2025

Clementine Starling-Daniels and Theresa Luetkefend co-author DefenseNews op-ed titled “Questions Congress should ask about DOD ‘peace through strength’ plan”

On April 16, Forward Defense director Clementine Starling-Daniels and assistant director Theresa Luetkefend published an op-ed in DefenseNews. The article, titled “Questions Congress should ask about DOD ‘peace through strength’ plan,” analyzes the Department of Defense’s Interim National Defense Strategic Guidance memo and the Trump administration’s defense priorities.

Defense Policy English

Uncategorized

Mar 26, 2025

TX Hammes publishes issue brief on Chinese port and base investments overseas

By Thomas X. Hammes

On March 21, TX Hammes, nonresident senior fellow at Forward Defense, published an issue brief through the Atlantic Council, entitled ‘Chinese exploitation of overseas ports and bases’ in which he detailed the threat posed by aggressive Chinese investment strategies globally to US national security. Further, Hammes argues the inability to react to recent Chinese actions […]

Defense Policy English

MENASource

Mar 25, 2025

After proxies and nuclear program threats, Iran may turn to terror abroad

By Alex Plitsas

Iran could turn to transnational terrorism as threats mount of Israeli strike on Tehran’s nuclear facilities, after a weakening of its numerous proxies since the Gaza war.

English Iran

MENASource

Mar 25, 2025

Dispatch from Bekaa: Inside the sectarian skirmishes on the Syria-Lebanon border

By Nicholas Blanford

Local Shia tribesmen have battled an assortment of Sunni jihadist militias and the new Syrian security forces dominated by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

English Lebanon

MENASource

Mar 19, 2025

Why the United States must bridge the Iraq-Syria divide

By Sarkawt Shamsulddin

With leverage over both capitals, the United States emerges as the linchpin in delicate diplomatic moment between Baghdad and Damascus.

English Iraq

MENASource

Mar 18, 2025

Landmark SDF-Damascus deal presents opportunity, and uncertainty, for Turkey

By Ömer Özkizilcik

Despite positive signals, critical ambiguities remain in agreement between Syrian President Ahmed Shara and SDF commander Mazloum Abdi.

English Middle East

MENASource

Mar 14, 2025

The United States’ Houthi terrorist designation unmasks Russia’s Yemen strategy

By Fatima Abo Alasrar

Yemen's Houthi rebels have become a tool of foreign powers, shifting from an Iran proxy to a Russian asset.

English Maritime Security

Experts