People like me, who have spent a lifetime building credibility, face a real problem when most Americans no longer trust institutions. We need to face the new terms of trust for our expertise to matter. Renée DiResta@noUpside & I wrote this to explain why & how: carnegieendowment.org/research/202...

Given strategies that are not working like they used to and a slashed budget, how does international democracy support need to change? What Future for International Democracy Support? - TWP Community of Practice Webinar: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8-O...

I warned that Trump would create build a new spoils system: (www.persuasion.community/p/theres-no-...): 1 fire civil service; 2 Make clear you keep your job only via loyalty; 3) move jobs to districts where their votes could make a difference. It is starting: www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

This is the blueprint- we know what to do. Can our country do it? amandaripley.substack.com/p/how-to-pre...

This. Is. So. Important. nonprofitquarterly.org/unite-in-adv...

Hm - wish someone would have told us that stock markets plummet and have a lot more volatility in the second term of a politician like Trump. Oh, wait, I wrote that last summer w/Roberto Foa in the Harvard Biz Review: hbr.org/2024/10/when...

Why are we unilaterally disarming from fighting Russia, China, and other authoritarians? Because that is what Trump wants: www.lawfaremedia.org/article/the-...

This: www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...

The people I grew up with and the world I grew up in - Alaskans take every bit of power and agency they had and use it - along with our Senator Murkowski, bless her: www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/...

It's always worth paying attention to Theda Skocpol: newrepublic.com/article/1905...

It's been a dark time in America - but there are things regular people can do, right now. Stop doomscrolling. Join or create local, in-person groups across partisan lines if possible to build community and connection. Support local news. More here: www.ifyoucankeepit.org/p/how-you-ca...

WSJ, last 48 hours:

Fighting Trump's destruction successfully requires getting the American people on our side. There is NO SUBSTITUTE in the courts or anywhere else for public opinion: www.persuasion.community/p/theres-no-...

I love @LetGrowOrg and this is a particularly great post: letgrow.org/parents-peac...

People keep asking me about the effects of the Jan 6 pardons on future political violence. Here's a quick take: www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2...

What do funders need to do to support democracy? Prudential risk mitigation, and then real moral courage , recognize that the best defense is a good offense! www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/mitigat...

The anniversary of Jan 6 is as good a time as any for U.S. business to understand that their glee may be misplaced: @robertofoa and I on "What a Trump Presidency Means for U.S. Business" www.nytimes.com/2024/12/29/o...

Such a good podcast conversation with Nic Cheeseman on how to bring down the threats and violence against candidates we are seeing in the US, France, and Germany newbooksnetwork.com/how-to-tackl...

I would be surprised if militias don't end up playing a role - probably highly localized, working with local sheriffs or local units of CBP rather than something national. Governments use militias to maintain deniability abut their actions.

Miriam-Webster's just picked their Word of the Year. It's "Polarization". What to do about it? My thoughts at Obama's Democracy Summit last week: www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVao...

Anyone who wants to unseat a dictatorship - or preserve a democracy - needs to deeply understand the armed forces of a country. This piece by @SayighYezid is key to understanding what just occurred in Syria: carnegieendowment.org/middle-east/...

So I did this cool thing with the Obama Foundation last week: www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVao...

History shows 2 common responses to diversity: the creation of hierarchy & repression. @rachelkleinfeld.bsky.social highlights pluralism as a third path—one that embraces equality & cooperation to strengthen society. Watch her talk at the Obama Foundation #DemocracyForum ➡️ youtu.be/aVao3K8yFDs

The North Carolina General Assembly’s GOP supermajority just approved a hugely corrupt power grab, seizing authority from the governor and the courts to prevent any meaningful check on legislative abuses. Authoritarian stuff. A very dark day for democracy in NC. amp.newsobserver.com/news/politic...

“A politicized military—dragged into confrontations on behalf of party or president, rather than country—will have a hard time recruiting and retaining personnel, and its legitimacy will suffer both at home and overseas.”

In today’s “One First,” I wrote about #SCOTUS’s 1866 decision in Ex parte Milligan—and the limits on martial law and military rule for which it still stands. (It’s also a good excuse to talk about the first “class photo” of the justices—from February 1867): www.stevevladeck.com/p/111-ex-par...

For Christmas this year - the beautiful jewelry from LoveAnyway# helps build peace, courtesy of @SFCG_ www.loveanyway.com/collections/...

Tammy Duckworth on Tulsi Gabbard: "I think she's compromised ... Russian controlled media called her a Russian asset."

Carnegie's Democracy Conflict, and Governance program is now on Bluesky! Welcome to my brilliant colleagues: bsky.app/profile/carn...

Incredibly useful piece. I hope philanthropists listen: www.philanthropy.com/commons/trum...

This is important. Democratic rules are for both parties. These counties need to follow the rules. Otherwise, we can't call out those who don't. And if the rules themselves are bad for democracy - then you work to change the laws or use civil disobedience. Ignoring courts is no answer.

I'm speaking at the Obama Foundation Dec 5 - particularly why the left needs to throw off the purity signals and enlarge the tent to depolarize so that we can actually create a better future. Come listen: www.obama.org/2024-democra...

@DaveSolimini and I made some predictions in 2020. We were closer to right than I wish about the election we just saw, and what is likely to come next: www.the-american-interest.com/2020/03/23/i...

Hi Bluesky! 👋🏼 We're the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Our 170+ global experts generate independent analysis that looks beyond the day-to-day news cycle to understand the issues impacting international peace and security. Find our experts here: go.bsky.app/TqJjwX4