The Foundation for the Defense of Democracies (FDD) is the only nonpartisan policy institute dedicated exclusively to promoting pluralism, defending democratic values, and fighting the ideologies that drive terrorism.

FDD was founded shortly after 9/11 by a group of visionary philanthropists and policymakers to engage in the worldwide war of ideas and to support the defense of democratic societies under assault by terrorism and Militant Islamism.

FDD uniquely combines policy research, democracy training, strategic communications, and investigative journalism. We focus our efforts where opinions are formed and, ultimately, where the war of ideas will be won or lost: in the media, on college campuses, and in the policy community, at home and abroad.

What We Stand For

Those affiliated with FDD come from many backgrounds and political perspectives, but all believe:

• Terrorism—intentional violence directed against non-combatants to achieve a political objective—is always wrong and should never be condoned.

• Democratic societies have a right to defend themselves against terrorism and an obligation to defend one another.

• No one should be denied basic human rights—including minority rights, women's rights and the freedom to worship.

The Foundation for the Defense of Democracies is dedicated to winning the war of ideas through communicating, influencing, empowering and educating.