Forum @ NED

The International Forum for Democratic Studies @NEDemocracy is a leading center for thought & analysis on #democracy around the world.

[Forum @ NED @ThinkDemocracy]

📣 Come work with us!

Applications are OPEN for the next cohort of our Reagan-Fascell Democracy Fellowship and Hurford Youth Fellowship. These international exchange programs bring civic leaders, scholars, and more to Washington, DC to conduct cutting-edge research and help us solve the most pressing challenges to global freedom.

Learn more and apply here: https://t.co/IFIezjPMuJ

[Forum @ NED @ThinkDemocracy]

With the third Russia-Africa summit wrapped up, we’re reminded of the real impacts of Moscow’s recent engagement on the continent’s democratic practices.

@JKGinDC and @melissaaten describe how the Wagner Group exchanged security services for ownership over African mines and natural resources. ⬇️

https://t.co/Iwk34MpNin

[Forum @ NED @ThinkDemocracy]

Last week’s Russia-Africa summit brought together 49 countries and featured 150 bilateral agreements.

But not all Russia-Africa initiatives have brought the prosperity they allegedly set out to achieve. Earlier this year, @CooleyOnEurasia and @Chivucute analyzed how Russia’s actions across the continent have propped up military regimes and elites at the expense of everyday citizens.

Read their analysis here ➡️ https://t.co/REZnIdlity

[Forum @ NED @ThinkDemocracy]

Every day, democracies are tested by authoritarianism. However, today’s moment is different. As China and Russia expand their authoritarian influence around the world, democratic institutions and civic leaders face mounting pressure and a more permissive international environment.

The Forum at @NEDemocracy convened leading experts to launch its new report, Testing the Limits: China and Russia’s Authoritarian Influence at Scale in a New Period of Impunity.

Speakers, including @DamonMacWilson, @KSheives, Caroline Costello, @CooleyonEurasia, @DiploSikh, Miriam Lanskoy, @Chivucute, @Williamnee, and Cassandra Emmons examined the growing challenges confronting pro-democracy actors worldwide, and how advocates can anticipate emerging challenges, strengthen resilience, and develop effective response strategies.

Watch the launch here: https://t.co/W32Wqn249T

[Forum @ NED @ThinkDemocracy]

Come work with us! The Forum is hiring an intern for the winter and early spring of 2027. If you or someone you know would thrive in a fast-paced role helping advance the Forum's mission of anticipating and responding to new and growing challenges to democracy, consider applying today!

We're looking for a current student or recent graduate who:
🗽 Is passionate about advancing freedom around the world
🎨 Has a keen eye for videography, graphic design, and social media content
📝 Is adept at research and providing editorial support to writing projects

Apply now ➡️
https://t.co/5OO0lwR9tL

[Forum @ NED @ThinkDemocracy]

The end of the third Russia-Africa summit reminds us of Moscow's arms deals with Luanda, which have been rife with corruption and opaque agreements.

In #TestingtheLimits, @Chivucute examines how civic actors have exposed the nature of these agreements and details how these groups can best respond to authoritarian influence.

Read here ➡️ https://t.co/k5gbb1fcGA

[Forum @ NED @ThinkDemocracy]

As the third Russia-Africa summit concludes, we're reminded of the impacts on Moscow's recent influence on the continent.

@CooleyOnEurasia examines the proliferation of anti-democratic narratives and support for authoritarian leaders in his #TestingtheLimits essay.

Read here ➡️ https://t.co/wAaSBYYzj3

[Forum @ NED @ThinkDemocracy]

🏛️ As the third Russia-Africa summit kicks off, we're reminded how past agreements have allowed Russian security forces like Wagner Group to protect corrupt officials and profit off illegal mining.

Read more from @MaileyJR, @andrea_ngombet, and @melissaaten on how Moscow's actions have helped entrench corruption on the African continent. ⬇️

https://t.co/AGdO2ZOvYm

[Forum @ NED @ThinkDemocracy]

This International Religious Freedom Day, we remember the #FundamentalFreedom to practice whichever religion (or lack thereof) one chooses.

@KnoxThames outlines how religious freedom is faring across the world, and how worshipers in places like 🇨🇳 and 🇳🇮 are working to safely practice their faith in the face of repression.

https://t.co/voy7FrRwRP

[Forum @ NED @ThinkDemocracy]

What does freedom of petition mean in the digital age?

In the third essay of our new series on the #FundamentalFreedoms Today, Shanthi Kalathil examines the evolution of this often overlooked right from the U.S. founding to today's era of AI and digital public infrastructure. Civic innovators in Ukraine, Taiwan, and beyond are carrying forward the spirit of freedom of petition—and rejecting an authoritarian bargain that denies citizens their voice.

https://t.co/voy7FrRwRP

[Forum @ NED @ThinkDemocracy]

Earlier this month, the Forum's Beth Kerley sat down with @ekagigauri_ and @maradiaga at @SpeechFuture's Global Free Speech Summit.

The trio discussed the rise of "Foreign Agent" laws being used by authoritarian regimes to stifle free expression and dissenting voices. ⬇️

https://t.co/z581bboSUh

[Forum @ NED @ThinkDemocracy]

In the latest #DemocracyHorizons, Vukasin Petrovic analyzes how civil society and independent media across the world can adapt to shrinking civic space.

Read here ➡️ https://t.co/8dAFctTQdu

[Damon M. Wilson @DamonMacWilson]

@maradiaga was imprisoned for challenging Nicaragua’s dictatorship. @ekagigauri_ defends independent voices in Georgia. Our own Beth Kerley of @ThinkDemocracy hosted them in conversation at @VanderbiltU’s Global Free Speech Summit.

Their warning: governments in Nicaragua, Georgia, and beyond are using so-called “foreign agent laws” as part of a broader crackdown on their critics. Anticorruption watchdogs, human rights advocates, independent journalists, and other defenders of freedom increasingly find themselves in the crosshairs, targeted by lawfare and risking arrest.

@NEDemocracy stands for free speech—including speech those in power dislike.

Freedom of speech is not simply one democratic value among many. It is how people defend all their other freedoms.

Watch the discussion: https://t.co/Xv2bnEnHRr