Foundation for Defense of Democracies

The Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) is an American think tank, "founded shortly after 9/11 by a group of visionary philanthropists and policymakers to support the defense of democratic societies under assault by terrorism and militant Islamism. Our Leadership Council of Distinguished Advisors includes former FBI Director Louis J. Freeh, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Georgia), former National Security Advisor Robert “Bud” McFarlane, former Ambassador Max Kampelman, Sen. Joe Lieberman (Independent-Connecticut), and former CIA Director R. James Woolsey."

FDD ideology
While it specifically describes itself as nonpartisan, its current leadership has strong U.S. Republican Party and neoconservative affiliations. Its director is Clifford May, a journalist and former head of communications for the Republican National Committee. Its Leadership Council have predominantly Republican or Independent associations.

In February 2008, it created a subsidiary organization, Defense of Democracies, which operates from the same physical offices but has a different nonprofit tax status (i.e., 501(c)(4) versus the FDD's 501(c)(3)) that allows it to participate in partisan politics. Defense of Democracies then ran a television advertising campaign, in 15 Congressional districts; it was believed to suggest that Democrats are soft on Islamic terrorism. In the ads, Osama bin Laden's face was in close time proximity to that of Democratic congressmen. Within four days, all the Democrats on the FDD board, Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Eliot Engel of New York; former Al Gore campaign manager Donna Brazile; and Rep. Jim Marshall of Georgia had resigned.

While FDD had shared forums with the American Enterprise Institute, several senior staff at AEI moved to FDD, some bringing funding with them. AEI depends on corporate financing, and it was reported that AEI vice-president Danielle Pletka was purging some of the more outspoken neoconservative interventionists, to bring AEI to a more center-right position. That position might be more attractive to its financial sponsors. Key AEI fellows that left include Michael Ledeen, Reuel Marc Gerech and Joshua Muravchik.

FDD Positions and Programs
It has criticized the Obama Administration's overtures to Russia.

Rather than withdrawing to enclaves inside Iraq, there is a recommendation that U.S. forces that remain in Iraq deploy on the borders with Syria and Iran, to provide a deterrent. The article opposes engagement with the two countries. The ability to withdraw from cities, however, is considered a victory, one that the "mainstream media" are reluctant to