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Articles by Simone Ledeen
Should the U.S. Intervene in Iran?
Should the U.S. Intervene in Iran? Two former Pentagon officials square off in a debate on America’s role in the Israel-Iran war. Read Full Article »
Should the U.S. Intervene in Iran?
On Monday night, five days after Israel began its campaign against Iran’s nuclear program, Donald Trump took to Truth Social to declare: “IRAN CAN NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON. I said it over and over again! Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran!” As of late Monday evening, Eastern time, he was flying back from the G7 summit and convening his National Security Council for a meeting. Earlier in the day, the president was speaking of the importance of a deal. So: Which will it be?
Video: The Wide Potential of Israel's Defense Firms, Featuring Simone Ledeen – Jewish Policy Center
https://www.jewishpolicycenter.org/podcast-player/26147/upcoming-webinar-the-wide-potential-of-israels-defense-firms.m4a Download file | Play in new window | Duration: 59:56 | The French government’s decision to ban Israeli companies and nationals from participating in the Eurosatory 2024 defense conference went mostly unnoticed in U.S. media. French courts reversed the ban – too late to be useful – but the controversial decision sent ripples through the global defense community.
Upcoming Webinar: The Wide Potential of Israel's Defense Firms – Jewish Policy Center
France’s recent announcement to ban Israeli companies and nationals from participating in the Eurosatory 2024 defense conference has gone mostly unnoticed in U.S. media. But Macron’s controversial decision has sent ripples through the global defense community. Simone Ledeen will discuss how this exclusion impacts over 70 Israeli military contractors and the broader ramifications for Western military preparedness and alliances.
Israeli Defense Tech is About to Have a Moment
The announcement from France that Eurosatory 2024 in Paris, one of the world's largest defense and security exhibitions was banning Israeli companies and Israeli nationals from participating has sent shock waves through the defense industry. The Macron government claimed its policy of Judenrein was in response to Israel's ongoing military operations in Gaza. In marked contrast, Hamas’s sponsor and global terrorism proliferator Iran faces no such ban.
France is Wrong to Ban Israeli Defense Firms
The announcement from France that Eurosatory 2024 in Paris, one of the world's largest defense and security exhibitions was banning Israeli companies and Israeli nationals from participating has sent shock waves through the defense industry. The Macron government claimed its policy of Judenrein was in response to Israel's ongoing military operations in Gaza. In marked contrast, Hamas’s sponsor and global terrorism proliferator Iran faces no such ban.
France is Wrong to Ban Israeli Defense Firms
The announcement from France that Eurosatory 2024 in Paris, one of the world's largest defense and security exhibitions was banning Israeli companies and Israeli nationals from participating has sent shock waves through the defense industry. The Macron government claimed its policy of Judenrein was in response to Israel's ongoing military operations in Gaza. In marked contrast, Hamas’s sponsor and global terrorism proliferator Iran faces no such ban.
The threat from Havana Syndrome is ... REAL!
Go to Article [Editor’s note: This story originally was published by Real Clear Wire.] By Simone Ledeen Real Clear Wire When American diplomats in Havana started experiencing strange and debilitating symptoms in 2016, whispers of a covert attack began to circulate. Initially dismissed by some as mass hysteria, the pattern of symptoms suggested something far more sinister. As cases multiplied, it became clear that this was not an isolated incident.
Take Havana Syndrome Seriously
When American diplomats in Havana started experiencing strange and debilitating symptoms in 2016, whispers of a covert attack began to circulate. Initially dismissed by some as mass hysteria, the pattern of symptoms suggested something far more sinister. As cases multiplied, it became clear that this was not an isolated incident.
Take Havana Syndrome Seriously
When American diplomats in Havana started experiencing strange and debilitating symptoms in 2016, whispers of a covert attack began to circulate. Initially dismissed by some as mass hysteria, the pattern of symptoms suggested something far more sinister. As cases multiplied, it became clear that this was not an isolated incident.
Take Havana Syndrome Seriously
Simone Ledeen is an accomplished national security professional with expertise spanning defense policy, intelligence, counterterrorism, counter threat finance, and emerging technologies. As Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Middle East Policy, Ms. Ledeen was responsible for US defense policy for Bahrain, Egypt, Israel, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestinian Authority, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
Take Havana Syndrome Seriously
When American diplomats in Havana started experiencing strange and debilitating symptoms in 2016, whispers of a covert attack began to circulate. Initially dismissed by some as mass hysteria, the pattern of symptoms suggested something far more sinister. As cases multiplied, it became clear that this was not an isolated incident.
The Price of Failed Wars
A growing number of Americans grapple with a profound dilemma. This dilemma stems from our recent and painful history of interventions gone awry, and outcomes that diverged sharply from the intended goals.
The Price of Failed Wars
A growing number of Americans grapple with a profound dilemma. This dilemma stems from our recent and painful history of interventions gone awry, and outcomes that diverged sharply from the intended goals.
Israel Signals Self-Reliance for Weapons
Israel’s declaration that it intends to expand its domestic munitions production heralds a new chapter in U.S.-Israel relations, where strategic recalibration meets the challenges of an evolving international arms landscape. Israel’s announcement signifies a dual aim: to diminish U.S. leverage in its military operations and to confront the relentless shortages prevalent in the global market.
Israel Signals Self-Reliance for Weapons
Israel’s declaration that it intends to expand its domestic munitions production heralds a new chapter in U.S.-Israel relations, where strategic recalibration meets the challenges of an evolving international arms landscape. Israel’s announcement signifies a dual aim: to diminish U.S. leverage in its military operations and to confront the relentless shortages prevalent in the global market.
Resolute US leadership is needed to stem Houthi Red Sea shipping attacks
In the shadow of Israel’s just war against Hamas, a widely acknowledged Iranian proxy, another of their cut-outs, the Houthis, have relentlessly escalated attacks in the Red Sea, jeopardizing critical global shipping routes. Their intensifying missile and drone strikes actively target and undermine international merchant vessels transiting waters vital for European and Asian trade.
War on the Rocks
On this episode of Horns of a Dilemma, Professor Adam Klein, Professor Stephen Slick, Dr. Paul Edgar, and Ms. Simone Ledeen spoke about Hamas’ terrorist attack on Oct. 7th in Israel. The conversation began with a discussion about terrorism, human cruelty and Hamas’ wanton killing of civilians in the attack. The three panelists then discussed different facets of the expected Israeli response, ranging from the role of the intelligence services to the operational planning for a ground operation.
Regaining our edge in the defense technology arms race
The continued chasm between the Pentagon and Silicon Valley is much more than just a cultural difference — it’s a threat to national security at a time when our adversaries are leaning into the technology arms race. While the Department of Defense has made some important changes to legacy processes and introduced new funding lines, these changes have not been fast or aggressive enough to significantly alter the technology arms race landscape.
Joe Biden, Don’t Repeat Your Afghanistan Blunders In Iraq
Joe Biden, Don't Repeat Your Afghanistan Blunders In Iraq
Joe Biden, Don't Repeat Your Afghanistan Blunders In Iraq Original
No one who’s been following the news in Iraq since last year’s inconclusive parliamentary elections should be surprised to see violence currently erupting in Baghdad. For months, various political factions have jostled unsuccessfully for a governing majority. Muqtada al Sadr, the volatile cleric who fueled much of the bloodshed in Iraq after the U.S. invasion, controls the most seats but not enough to form a governing coalition. This past weekend, he decided to turn up the heat.
Democrats are abandoning US allies: Is Egypt next?
The Biden administration and leftist congressional allies have perpetuated a tired charade of prioritizing human rights over other security-focused considerations with regard to relations with several key partners, including Egypt. One of the loudest Democratic voices in opposition to continued security assistance for Egypt is Sen.
Human-Rights Abuses Need to Take Center Stage in Egypt
“No more is it necessary or appropriate to support vocal enemies of the United States because they invoke the rhetoric of popular liberation.” — Amb. Jeanne Kirkpatrick In the Middle East, the new U.S. administration once again faces the familiar choice of supporting traditional authoritarian governments through diplomatic and security partnerships or watching these countries turn toward alternatives at least as bad and probably worse—and almost certainly hostile to the United States.
How America Can Advance Egyptian Human Rights
“No more is it necessary or appropriate to support vocal enemies of the United States because they invoke the rhetoric of popular liberation.” — Amb. Jeanne Kirkpatrick In the Middle East, the new U.S. administration once again faces the familiar choice of supporting traditional authoritarian governments through diplomatic and security partnerships or watching these countries turn toward alternatives at least as bad and probably worse—and almost certainly hostile to the United States.
Biden's policy shift in Yemen courts environmental disaster
A major disaster is unfolding in slow motion, with the international community seemingly incapable of taking any action other than public hand wringing. A crippled oil tanker, FSO Safer, has been moored just north of the port city of Hudaydah, Yemen’s main hub for humanitarian delivery, for more than five years. It’s in bad shape. In January, the International Maritime Organization reported that the ship’s structural integrity is failing and risks leaking 48 million gallons of oil into the Red Sea.
Video: U.S. Policy in the Middle East and Persian Gulf – Jewish Policy Center
VIDEO Simone Ledeen was Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (DASD) for Middle East Policy until January 2021. Previously she served as Principal Director to the DASD for Special Operations and Combating Terrorism. In this video she discusses American security policy in the region – where the U.S. has been, where it is now, and where it may be going.
Strong ties with Egypt best hope for human rights
© Getty Strong ties with Egypt best hope for human rights On Feb. 23, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that human rights will be "central" to bilateral relations between Washington and Cairo. Indeed, President Joe Biden has pledged to advance "human rights and democracy around the world," dedicating a new senior position on his National Security Council to this effort. Many commentators have urged Biden to begin with the world's most populous Arab country, Egypt.
Strong ties with Egypt best hope for human rights
On Feb. 23, Secretary of State Antony BlinkenAntony BlinkenBlinken speaks with Ethiopian leader about human rights concerns in Tigray Bipartisan lawmakers call for Blinken to appoint special envoy for Venezuela A Biden stumble on China? MORE announced that human rights will be “central” to bilateral relations between Washington and Cairo.
China's unconventional weapons are winning the Middle East
Throughout his campaign, President Joe BidenJoe BidenMadison Cawthorn doesn't regret participating in Jan. 6 'Stop the Steal' rally Biden condemns jailing of Navalny in Russia Ending fossil fuel subsidies: A climate solution to get behind MORE diminished the threat that China posed to the United States.
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