Axis of Aggressors - (Paperback)

About the Book

Axis of Aggressors delivers a robust analysis of how the US's authoritarian adversaries coordinate across economic, cyber, and military domains.

Book Synopsis

The threat to the United States is escalating, and its enemies have joined forces.

China, Russia, Iran, North Korea - a new Axis of Aggressors. Their cooperation is growing, consequential, and demands action.

In June 2025, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs General Dan Caine warned Congress that Beijing, Moscow, Tehran, and Pyongyang are "pursuing unprecedented levels of cooperation." Many Americans don't know what that means, but are alarmed to see North Korean troops fighting for Russia and Chinese chemicals fueling Iran's ballistic missile program. This groundbreaking book provides answers.

Axis of Aggressors delivers the most rigorous, comprehensive analysis to date of how America's authoritarian adversaries are coordinating across economic, cyber, technology, and military domains - and why it matters.

Drawing on decades of financial, military, and national security expertise, Bradley L. Bowman, Elaine K. Dezenski, and Rear Admiral (Ret.) Mark Montgomery - all senior leaders at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies - don't just diagnose the global security threats posed by this new authoritarian bloc. They provide specific recommendations to strengthen America and weaken the Axis.

In a wake-up call for Americans, this book is essential for understanding the shifting geopolitical threats and their implications for U.S. security. It is a roadmap for urgent and necessary action.

"The growing alliance among China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea is forcing the United States into the most dangerous threat environment we have faced since World War II - one that will require us to modernize rapidly. This book provides a clear understanding of this Axis of Aggressors, as well as the urgent steps our nation must take to deter our adversaries."

Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee

"Bradley Bowman, Elaine Dezenski, and Mark Montgomery have pulled the curtain back on the Axis of Aggressors. Thanks to their impeccable research, America and the Free World have all the information necessary to defeat hostile authoritarian regimes' efforts to rewrite the rules of international discourse in their favor. The stakes are high because if the dictators succeed, our world will be less free, less prosperous, and less safe. Axis of Aggressors is a book to be read and, most importantly, acted upon. We cannot afford to let its recommendations lay inert in its pages."

Lt. Gen. (Ret.) H.R. McMaster, chairman of FDD's Center on Military and Political Power and former U.S. national security advisor

Review Quotes

"This book provides a clear understanding of this Axis of Aggressors, as well as the urgent steps our nation must take to deter our adversaries." - Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee

"The authors have pulled back the curtain on the Axis of Aggressors ... impeccable research ... a book to be read and, most importantly, acted upon." - Lt. Gen. (Ret.) H.R. McMaster, chairman of FDD's Center on Military and Political Power and former U.S. national security advisor

"China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea are cooperating around shared domestic and foreign policy goals, united in shared hostility toward the United States, its interests, and its allies ... Washington must develop a grand strategy that coordinates and deploys all tools of national power to respond to the gravity of this new axis threat." - Leon Panetta, former secretary of defense and director of the Central Intelligence Agency for President Barack Obama

"This book is a must-read as policymakers seek to make America more secure and ensure the 21st century belongs to America and its allies." - Sen. Todd Young (R-IN)

"a clear-eyed, evidence-based assessment ... grounded in rigorous analysis and operational reality." - Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Laura Richardson, former commander of U.S. Southern Command

"a clear, detailed, and urgent blueprint for deterring or defeating the Axis of Aggressors ... If Washington had heeded a book like this in the 1930s, we might have forestalled much of the bloodshed of the 1940s." - Matt Pottinger, former deputy national security advisor to President Donald Trump

"no one has laid it out in as much detail ... everyone who cares about the future of national security should read this book." - Amb. Eric S. Edelman, former undersecretary of defense for policy for President George W. Bush

"a brilliant seminal work ... their analysis is first-rate." - Amb. Paula J. Dobriansky, former undersecretary of state for global affairs for President George W. Bush

"There is no more timely topic or insightful book than this." - Juan Zarate, chairman of FDD's Center on Economic and Financial Power and former deputy assistant to the president and deputy national security advisor for combating terrorism for President George W. Bush

"an essential read for every policymaker committed to preserving and expanding freedom around the world." - Roger Zakheim, director, Ronald Reagan Institute

"A brilliant recognition that global supply chains (interdependent energy, communications, data, and transportation ecosystems) are as critical to national security as traditional political geography. The authors highlight how we often find ourselves blind to the national security vulnerabilities created by hyper-globalization." - Gen. (Ret.) Stephen R. Lyons, former commander of U.S. Transportation Command

"The history of great power conflict demonstrates the price paid for failing to recognize emerging alignments among revisionist powers." - Celeste Wallander, former assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs for President Joe Biden

"an essential primer for any decision-maker." - Chris Inglis, first-ever national cyber director for President Joe Biden, former deputy director of the National Security Agency