Mark Dubowitz

Mark Dubowitz is the chief executive of FDD, a Washington, D.C.-based nonpartisan policy institute. Mark is an expert on Iran’s nuclear program and global threat network, and is widely recognized as one of the key influencers in shaping policies to counter the threats from the regime in Iran. He also contributes to FDD’s China Program drawing on his academic background in China studies and his private sector work in the Indo-Pacific. In 2019, Iran sanctioned Mark and FDD, calling them “the designing and executing arm of the U.S. administration” on Iran policy. These threats led to bipartisan condemnation, including from Trump, Obama, Bush and Clinton administration officials. In 2022, Russia sanctioned Mark among other prominent national security and business professionals in response to American efforts to hold Moscow accountable for its war in Ukraine. Mark has long exposed the malign ties between the regimes in Russia and Iran and advocated for sanctions on Russia. According to The New York Times, “Mark Dubowitz’s campaign to draw attention to what he saw as the flaws in the Iran nuclear deal has taken its place among the most consequential ever undertaken by a Washington think tank leader.” According to The Atlantic, “Dubowitz has been helping design and push forward sanctions on Iran…establishing the FDD as D.C.’s ground zero for research and policy recommendations aimed at highlighting and fixing what Dubowitz saw as the flaws in the nuclear agreement.” Mark was featured as one of the key “financial warriors” in the book “The Iran Wars.” Politico magazine featured Mark as one of Washington’s leading policy experts challenging Iran’s illicit behavior, observing that he is “…constantly thinking up—and promoting—new ways to squeeze the regime…” According to a former U.S. official quoted by Buzzfeed: “If you want to know what’s going to happen next in Iran policy, there’s a pretty good bet that it’s whatever has been in the latest Mark Dubowitz or FDD op-ed.” Mark has advised the Bush, Obama, Trump and Biden administrations and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and testified more than twenty times before the U.S. Congress and foreign legislatures.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks with defense industry experts in Tehran, Iran, February 12, 2025

No negotiations before total Iranian nuclear rollback - opinion 

 IRAN’S SUPREME Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei waves during a meeting with members of Iran’s Basij militia, in Tehran.IRAN’S SUPREME Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei waves during a meeting with members of Iran’s Basij militia, in Tehran.

Mission 2030: Dismantle Khamenei’s regime - opinion

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei waves during a meeting in Tehran

Israel’s path to victory: Dismantling Khamenei’s regime by 2040 - opinion


Failed diplomacy keeps Sinwar in control - opinion

Speculation about Sinwar's fate continues, but his absence and silence fuel uncertainty, hindering both hostage negotiations and hopes of resolving the ongoing conflict.

 GILAD ERDAN, then-Israeli ambassador to the UN, holds up a picture of Yahya Sinwar during an address to the General Assembly before a vote on a draft resolution to recognize the Palestinians as qualified to become a full UN member, in May.

2040: The year Iran predicts Israel will be destroyed. Now is the time to prepare - opinion

The Islamic Republic is developing a comprehensive strategy to bring about Israel’s elimination as a sovereign state.

 An anti-Israel billboard is seen next to the Iranian flag during a celebration following the IRGC attack on Israel, in Tehran, Iran, April 15, 2024.

Preventing an Iranian nuclear weapon remains Israel’s top priority - opinion

The October 7 attack taught Israel that it has no other choice but to confront Iran-backed threats on all fronts, sooner or later.

IRANIAN PRESIDENT Hassan Rouhani (right) and Foreign Minister Javad Zarif. Who wanted to pay the price of moral action to truly stop Iran?

The challenge for Israel: Prevail against Hamas while preventing an Iranian nuclear breakout

Iran's Supreme Leader likely wants to exploit the world's focus on Gaza to finally build a nuclear warhead. Israel must not allow him to.

 IRAN’S SUPREME Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei waves during a prayer marking the end of Ramadan, in Tehran, in April.

Ukraine should back Israel for fighting Iran-backed Palestinian terror - opinion

Russia uses Iranian-made drones in Ukraine. Iran also backs Palestinian terror attacks against Israel, including killing Ukrainians. When Israel fights Palestinian terror, it defends Ukraine.

 UKRAINIAN AMBASSADOR to the UN Sergiy Kyslytsya speaks during a Security Council meeting on the maintenance of Ukraine’s peace and security, last week.

Israel must reclaim its Arab citizens - opinion

Israeli-Arabs, who undeniably enjoy greater rights and freedoms in Israel than in any of the surrounding states, are drifting away from their Israeli identity.

 ISRAELI ARABS and left-wing activists waving Palestinian flags hold a rally near Sakhnin, in northern Israel, earlier this year.

Time for Israel to pivot away from Beijing - opinion

As Israel decouples from China, there will be even greater opportunities for greater cooperation between close allies. Israel must support the US and keep a distance from China.

 THEN-PRIME MINISTER Benjamin Netanyahu and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands ahead of talks in Beijing, in 2017. ‘Beijing is not a friend. It is time to pivot away from Beijing,’ say the writers.

Fatah, in its own divided words

The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) commissioned an online study of Palestinian political attitudes, and found that internal fragmentation runs deep.

Abbas 521

Fatah members, in their own divided words

An excerpt from an online study shows supporters of Abbas’s faction to be ambivalent, at best, about peace.

mahmoud abbas 311