I argue in @Diplomat_APAC that democracy issues and the need for shoring up civil society’s role in resilience get short shrift in the “de-risking” debates dominating China policy right now. Democracies need civil society protections and support.
1/In February 2024 Alexei Navalny died from poisoning in an Arctic prison colony. Russia had already branded his foundation a “foreign agent,” then “extremist,” and after his death: “terrorist.” Closing civic space is a free speech story. 🧵
Oddest thing about this is the human refereeing the robots. Here in real life, the robots are increasingly refereeing the human games.
Not quite sure which one is the right way to go!
What is a vital ingredient to the "secret sauce" of democracy? Look to Ukraine's civil society, and their incredible adaptations that benefit Ukraine, American, and global security. @AShevch and I unpack this in @just_security. justsecurity.org/149164/ukra…
Ukraine's source of strength over the past 4+ years of full-scale war. U.S. investments in their civic life have paid off immensely: for Ukraine, for the U.S., and for a host of advancements ranging from drone warfare, to defense of the information space, and to anti-corruption.
Even better? Ukraine isn't alone in proving itself as a stalwart, democratic ally. Look to Taiwan, the Nordics, the Baltics, South Korea, and so many others with vibrant civil societies that make alliances secure, stable, and prosperous for all.
🆕Democracies are facing new and evolving challenges as China and Russia seek to exploit a rapidly changing global landscape. Testing the Limits, a new report from NED's International Forum for Democratic Studies, analyzes these emerging threats and offers recommendations to strengthen democratic resilience.
Access the full report here: ned.org/testing-the-limits-c…
37 years ago, hundreds of students in China at Tiananmen gave their lives - not in defense of authoritarianism - but for democracy and freedom.
Let’s honor their sacrifice, remember it, and recommit to the mission of defending our own democracy and others around the world.
Solid analysis here by @alvincamba and @AtlanticCouncil. "Documentation as deterrence" is a great space for civic organizations like PCIJ to be in when it comes to foreign pressure on democratic practices. atlanticcouncil.org/dispatch…
Interesting part about the CCP outlawing petitions during Two Sessions: "In truth, it's precisely because the authorities 'care about face' that petitioners gain extra leverage to negotiate resolutions. Yes, it can work, just not as a normal rule-of-law mechanism."
The Kremlin has attempted to co-opt the language of "freedom" and "human rights" to justify its expansive censorship regime.
In a new guest essay, Beth Kerley calls on democracies to offer an "unapologetic embrace and defense" of free expression to fight back.
"This is Reagan’s 'infrastructure of democracy' in action, adapted to modern threats: modest investments in local initiatives that produce durable tools, networks, and norms of accountability that strengthen democratic resilience where it begins and stop authoritarian influence🧵
before it reaches America’s shores. The tools of repression have changed. But the human drive for dignity and self-rule has not. Reagan bet on freedom, backed by civic infrastructure, as the most reliable force in history. At NED, we carry that belief forward every day."
It’s finally here — the world’s most advanced, realtime China intelligence dashboard. A side project 2 years in the making.
I’m calling it “Digital Embassy.”
Now it’s yours, for free.
Here’s how it works:
🧵 1/10
digitalembassy.net/
🇺🇸 THE ULTIMATE AMERICAN REVENGE STORY 🇺🇸
The script couldn't have written it better. In 1989, Arthur Liu fled China as a political refugee after the Tiananmen Square massacre. He came to America with nothing but a dream for a free life.
Decades later, his daughter Alysa Liu became the face of Team USA.
But the CCP didn’t forget. Before the 2022 Beijing Olympics, the FBI uncovered a "brazen" spying operation. The target? Alysa and her father. The Chinese government tried to:
Stalk them on U.S. soil.
Intimidate her into silence.
Pressure her to turn her back on the country that gave her family refuge.
The FBI had to give them 24/7 security just so she could compete. 🛡️
She faced the intimidation. She refused to be a pawn. She walked away from the sport for two years to find her soul again—and then she came back with a vengeance.
TODAY, THE STORY IS COMPLETE. In a flawless performance to Donna Summer’s “MacArthur Park,” Alysa Liu just did the impossible.
🥇 OLYMPIC GOLD. 🥇 The first American woman to win individual gold in 24 years.
She didn’t just skate for a medal. She skated for the freedom her father risked everything for. She didn’t just win for herself; she won for the flag that protected her family when the world felt small.
This is what a Patriot looks like. 🇺🇸✨
#AlysaLiu#TeamUSA#OlympicGold#MilanoCortina2026#AmericanDream#FigureSkating#USA#Inspiration
At this year’s Lipset Lecture @LeopoldoLopez challenged the democracy assistance & freedom tech community to build support for decentralized technology platforms allowing activists in autocratic settings to communicate effectively & move resources rapidly. piped.video/watch?v=j8Zec_AS…
Authoritarians are adapting—and so are democracy's defenders. In 2026, the International Forum for Democratic Studies at NED is tracking new patterns of authoritarian reach, accelerating democratic innovation, & helping civic actors stay ahead of fast-moving challenges like tech.
This week, @SecRubio convened leaders to chart the future of America’s critical mineral supply chains.
In @TheNatlInterest, @DamonMacWilson, explains how NED partners help create conditions for resilient supply chains that strengthen the U.S. economy.🔗nationalinterest.org/feature…
CIPE joins @NEDemocracy in securing America’s future - which starts with transparent governance. 🛡️🇺🇸
Authoritarian regimes often exploit weak governance in mineral-rich nations through opaque contracts and bribery. CIPE’s partnership with local experts in Bolivia exposed non-transparent deals, helping ensure that Bolivia’s lithium reserves—a critical component of the global energy transition—remain outside the influence of malign actors.
By fostering economic freedom, we’re building a more resilient and secure 21st-century supply chain. Read more from NED President and CEO @DamonMacWilson: ➡️ bit.ly/4a7VSZj#NationalSecurity