History demonstrates the destructive impact of ignoring rising antisemitism. A society’s collective and unequivocal rejection of antisemitism, the world’s oldest conspiracy theory, demonstrates its capacity to defend the values that underpin democracies.

Always a pleasure to see @repcohen.bsky.social, ranking member of @www.csce.gov and a true leader on defending human rights and democracy across the globe. In these times, voices like his are indispensable.

Today, Senator Wicker and @shaheen.senate.gov introduced the bipartisan Eastern Flank Strategic Partnership Act of 2025, legislation that establishes it as U.S. policy to prioritize security cooperation with NATO’s Eastern Flank allies. (1/2)

With Senator Sheldon @whitehouse.senate.gov, ranking member of @www.csce.gov and a strong voice in support of democracy and human rights around the world. An engaging and productive conversation, as always.

HEARING TODAY—From Partner to Problem: Georgia’s Anti-American Turn 📅September 10 🕑2:30pm 🏛️Rayburn 2358-C Join us today for a discussion about the global consequences of Georgia’s slide into authoritarianism. Stream live here: youtube.com/live/-TlMiyH...

Last week, Kate Watters delivered remarks at the @www.csce.gov’s briefing on the impact on Central Asia of Russia’s war in Ukraine. Watters focussed on Russia’s sanction-evading efforts and its effect on the 🛢️ energy sector and the 🌿 environment in Central Asia. youtube.com/shorts/5Um9I...

UPCOMING BRIEFING—The Impact on Central Asia of Russia’s War on Ukraine: Opportunities for U.S. Engagement 📅September 4 🕑2pm 🏛️Rayburn 2200 Join our expert panel for a discussion about how Russia's war on Ukraine has shifted political & economic dynamics in Central Asia. (1/2)

NEW: RU law enforcement and the MoD may have coerced at least 20,000 Central Asian migrants to fight in Ukraine within the Russian military. Russian Force Generation and Technological Adaptations Update, August 13, 2025: isw.pub/ForceGenUpda... Other Key Takeaways ⬇️ 🧵 (1/7)

Last week marked the 17th anniversary of Moscow’s illegal invasion and annexation of Georgian territory, which internally displaced tens of thousands of people. (1/3)

On this day in 2008, Russia invaded Georgia. Russia continues to illegally occupy 20% of Georgia's territory and works to undermine Georgia's democracy and independence.

The Russian army struck Lozova in Ukraine's Kharkiv region, killing one person and injuring others in what the local mayor called the “most massive attack since the beginning of the war.”

As Putin wages war on Ukraine, he intensifies his repression of the Russian people. Banning private messaging apps & forcing Russians to use MAX will increase surveillance while further limiting their access to information about the outside world.

On August 1, 1975, 35 countries signed the Helsinki Final Act, enshrining respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity & human rights as a basis for relations among states. Today, bipartisan Commission leadership reaffirmed their commitment to these principles. 🧵(1/3)

Russia continues to launch combined missile and drone attacks on mostly civilian targets in Ukraine in order to terrorize the civilian population. 🧵 (1/2)

ICYMI: Carnegie’s @massdara.bsky.social testified last week for @www.csce.gov‬ on how the U.S. can help Ukraine strengthen its air defenses. Watch the full briefing – including Dara’s testimony – here: www.youtube.com/live/Rtb3YVp... Photo credits: Helsinki Commission/House Creative Services.

Join us in an hour or stream live here: youtube.com/live/Rtb3YVp...

Georgian Dream is attempting to hide their corruption and crimes against the Georgian people by cracking down on free press. They have tried to silence journalist Mzia Amaglobeli who has been in pre-trial detention since January on politically motivated charges. 🧵(1/2)

Georgian Dream welcomes Russia and other destabilizing threats to the region with open arms while dragging the Georgian people away from Euro-Atlantic integration and democracy cnn.com/2025/07/16/e...

Russia has scaled up production of drones & missiles, using this arsenal to attack Ukrainian cities, killing more civilians in June than it has in any month over the past 3 years. Join us for a briefing on how the U.S. & allies can support Ukraine in halting this terror. (1/2)

UPCOMING BRIEFING—Intercepting Terror: Strengthening Ukrainian Air Defense 📅July 24 🕑2pm 🏛️Cannon 210 Join our expert panel to discuss challenges Ukraine faces in defending against Russia's aerial attacks on cities and what allies can do to help stop the nightly assaults.

"Illiberal democracies often infringe on religious freedom in more subtle ways."

Religious freedom is essential to democratic society, animates the American founding & has long been a pillar of U.S. foreign policy. Join us Wednesday for a briefing discussing how to reinvigorate U.S. policy to meet the challenge of global religious persecution. (1/2)

UPCOMING BRIEFING—From Persecution to Protection: Strategies to Defend Freedom of Religion 📅July 16 🕑2pm 🏛️Longworth 1324 Join us for a briefing with @knoxthames.bsky.social discussing how to reinvigorate the U.S. approach to combatting religious persecution.

Georgian Dream is moving aggressively to consolidate power, silencing civil society and cracking down on political opposition by arresting and sentencing pro-democracy leaders on politically motivated charges. (1/2)

Ukraine is fighting not only for its own survival, but for freedom and security around the world. Join us this Thursday for a hearing to discuss the regional risks of a bad deal in Ukraine. For more information and to stream live, please visit: www.csce.gov/press-releas...

Over the last week, Russia continued its unjustified assault on Ukrainian civilians. While Ukraine fights to defend its homeland, Russia terrorizes and murders the innocent. www.bbc.com/news/article...

🇺🇦 On Ukraine's Journalist Day, we remember Viktoria Roshchyna, who was killed for exposing the cruel realities of life under Russian occupation in Ukraine. Russia is currently holding 18 Ukrainian journalists hostage for showing the world Russia's crimes. They all must be freed.

Siarhei Tsikhanouski, former Belarusian presidential candidate, has been in prison for 5 years. He is one of over 1000 political prisoners in Belarus, detained on sham charges because they share a vision for a free, democratic Belarus. They all must be released unconditionally. 🧵 1/2

Belarusian authorities hold thousands of dissenters hostage, many of whom are held incommunicado. On the Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners in Belarus, we honor the courage of Belarusians unjustly imprisoned for exercising their fundamental rights. (1/2)

Russia is preparing the mass forced removal of over 50,000 Ukrainian children from Russian-occupied territories to “summer camps” across Russia and occupied Ukraine as part of a broader attempt to completely erase Ukrainian identity.🧵1/4

Today marks 25 years of Putin’s reign over Russia, maintained by sham elections and violent intimidation. Since 2000, Russia has reverted to authoritarianism, with Putin relying on fear and subjugation to maintain his grip on power. 1/2 🧵

Russian officials have announced plans to transfer 50,000 children from Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine to camps in Russia for the summer. This is an alarming escalation in Russia's genocidal campaign to Russify Ukrainian children & train them to fight against Ukraine. 🧵1/2

Viktoria Roshchyna was a brave journalist who Russia tortured & killed because she reported the truth about life in Ukraine under Russian occupation. We must honor her memory by advocating for all those trapped under the brutal conditions Viktoria gave her life to expose.🧵1/2

Russia uses sham trials and lengthy prison sentences to discourage journalists from doing their jobs & citizens from exercising their right to free speech. Ahead of World Press Freedom day, we honor those who risk their own freedom in the pursuit of truth and transparency.

🇬🇪 Tomorrow will mark the Georgian people's 150th consecutive day of peaceful demonstrations. Bipartisan members of Congress are proud to stand with the Georgian people as they refuse to surrender their democratic aspirations to an illegitimate regime.

NEW!!! Bipartisan U.S. Congressional body @HelsinkiComm Members Express Support for the Georgian People Ahead of their 150th Consecutive Day of Protests x.com/ralakbar/sta...

Russia's attacks on transportation and election infrastructure threaten the sovereignty and security of our partners in Europe.

Congratulations to GYLA on receiving the Democracy Defender Award. Their in-depth reporting on human rights in Georgia and free legal aid to victims of human rights violations are crucial in the Georgian people's fight to save their democracy.

Vladimir Putin has no interest in peace. On Friday, he proved this once again by attacking civilians in Kryvyi Rih, killing 20, including children on a playground.

Myths and facts about Russia's war on Ukraine:

Today, the bipartisan leadership of the US Helsinki Commission issued a statement responding to Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik's destabilizing and secessionist actions in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Putin continues to view human life as disposable. This latest move is more evidence that he is more concerned with expanding his war machine than creating a stable peace with Ukraine.

1/ U.S. Helsinki Commission notes, that development and control of the Anaklia port will have far-reaching implications for both China’s ability to continue its campaign of economic coercion in the Black Sea region and Georgia’s future as an independent, democratic state.

Today, bipartisan members of the Helsinki Commission expressed their concern about reports that Georgian Dream is surrendering control of the Anaklia deep-sea port to a CCP-backed, US-sanctioned conglomerate. 1/2 🧵

Dictators frequently show us who they are. Vladimir Putin is a Russian imperialist to his core.

Russia has constantly disregarded human rights and violated international law, from illegally occupying Crimea over a decade ago to wounding 100+ Ukrainian civilians in a missile attack this week. While Putin’s dictatorship continues, Russia remains an unreliable aggressor.

On Belarus' Freedom Day, we stand with Belarusians in their ongoing fight for freedom from Lukashenko's despotic rule. Their bravery and commitment to freedom and democracy are an inspiration.

The number of Russian sabotage attacks against the West nearly tripled between 2023 and 2024 after quadrupling between 2022 and 2023, according to a new CSIS Defense and Security Department database. Read more about Russia's shadow war against the West: cs.is/3FyTVIx

Escalating warnings of a potential Russian attack on NATO have raised fears in the Baltic states that they could be next in the crosshairs. Talk about a potential Russian invasion is "very common at parties, gatherings, lunch breaks, water cooler talk," one Vilnius resident says.