Foundation for Defense of Democracies

What is FDD?

The Foundation for Defense of Democracies is a policy institute focusing on terrorism, the ideologies that drive terrorism and the policies that can most effectively eradicate terrorism. It was created in the wake of the attacks on America on September 11, 2001.

What issues does FDD cover?

FDD covers a broad range of issues related to the war on terrorism, such as the ideological roots of terrorism, the links between rogue states and terrorists, the role of democracy-building in fighting terrorism, and the need to balance civil liberties and the protection of human life.

Is this organization Democratic or Republican, liberal or conservative?

FDD is a tax-exempt, non-profit and non-partisan institution. We do not seek to advance any political party or views.

Who are some of the figures involved with FDD?

FDD's board members and advisors come from many different backgrounds and hold differing political beliefs. Our founding members and leadership council include prominent leaders from business, Congress, government, journalism and academia. Our advisors include members of Congress and leaders in diverse fields. (For a complete list, please click here and here) All of those involved with FDD recognize the dangers facing the United States and the importance of defending the core values of political and religious freedom, so that we can go on disagreeing the way people in democratic societies do – peacefully.

Who funds FDD?

FDD is funded by a diverse group of individual philanthropists and foundations. FDD has also received grants from the U.S. State Department.

Do you start with any assumptions?

We start with the basic assumptions that America and its democratic allies are worth defending, and that the terrorists who killed 3,000 innocent people on September 11, 2001 will kill more innocent people the next time – if we don't stop them.

What is the goal of the terrorists who attacked America on September 11, 2001?

Al-Qaeda has explicitly stated that its goal is to impose its extreme interpretation of Islam on the world. In June 2002, Al-Qaeda's spokesperson, Abu Geith wrote an article describing "the truth, motives and the goals" of their Jihad:

"The entire earth must be subject to Allah... to no ideology and to no path except for the path of Allah... America is the head of heresy in our modern world, and it leads an infidel democratic regime that is based upon separation of religions and state, and on ruling the people by the people" (Why We Fight America).

Al-Qaeda has declared war on the pillars of liberal democracy: the rule of law, representative government and religious freedom.

Is the American war on terrorism a war against Islam?

No. Bin-Laden and those who he has enlisted in what he calls a “jihad” – a holy war – are to Islam what the Ku Klux Klan and Christian Supremacists are to Christianity. Their extremist interpretation of Islam, which calls for the killing of "infidels" as a religious duty, targets not only Christians, Jews, Hindus and non-believers, but also other Muslims who do not share their beliefs. Hundreds of thousands of Muslims were killed by Militant Islamists in Algeria and thousands more were murdered by Islamist Fascists in Iraq, Jordan, Turkey, Morocco, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and elsewhere in the Muslim world. Bin-Laden, Zarqawi and his ilk must be stopped not because they are Muslims but because they are terrorists and totalitarians dedicated to the destruction of free societies everywhere.

Is one man's terrorist another man's freedom fighter?

No, terrorists do not serve freedom. Terrorism is intentional violence against unarmed civilians to achieve political or ideological goals. In the 21st Century terrorism should be outlawed.

Do you really think you'll ever be able to eradicate terrorism?

Not entirely - we can't hope to prevent every suicide bombing or sniper attack. But we should start by de-legitimizing terrorism: no cause justifies the deliberate and intentional killing, wounding or terrorizing of civilians. We also can, and must, win the ideological war against Jihadism. Just as we defeated other totalitarian movements such as Nazism, Fascism and Communism, we can defeat the Jihadist movement.