Advancing progressive national security policies that are grounded in respect for democratic values: accountability, rule of law, and human rights
Representatives of the U.N. Security Council members raise their hands to vote in favor of a draft resolution at the U.N. headquarters in New York, September 30, 2021. (Loey Felipe/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)
Democracies around the globe—including our own—face threats not seen in generations. We work to bolster the guardrails of democracy around the world, strengthening the rule of law and accountability, and in so doing, we add our voice to the chorus pushing against authoritarian forms of government.
Revitalizing diplomacy
The United States’ most enduring advantage is our network of alliances. Alliances and relationships are increasingly important components of U.S. national power, furthering economic, security, and humanitarian aims. We develop and support approaches for revitalizing diplomacy to further U.S. engagement in improving lives at home and around the world.
Putting climate at the center of U.S. foreign policy
Climate change threatens global security, stability, and humanity, bringing sweeping changes to our world. We are working to center climate in our international efforts and policies by transforming strategy, culture, and budgets; outlining collective responses; and defining new bilateral and multilateral alliances that can advance collective solutions to these urgent problems confronting the country and the world.
Redefining American security in today’s threat environment
Many of today’s most foreseeable threats are those that affect daily life and prospects for prosperity: COVID-19, climate change, systemic inequality, racism, and global disinformation aimed at undermining rights and democratic practices. We are working to reconceptualize what national security means in the 21st century and how U.S. national security institutions and foreign policy priorities can adapt to protect Americans and safeguard human security for all.
The FBI’s timid investigation into foreign interference during the 2016 election cost them a chance to uncover a conspiracy against American democracy in real time.
Author Max Bergmann expresses optimism about renewed and strengthened transatlantic cooperation between the United States and the European Union following the election in November.
Impeachment Trial Witnesses: Who the Senate Should Call and What They Know
One look at the list of potential witnesses shows why the president and his allies in Congress are trying to prevent a full impeachment trial in the Senate: The witnesses are capable of providing damning evidence against Trump.
Trump’s DNI Pick Would Brief Dem Nominee Ahead of 2020
Katrina Mulligan explains why the Senate must consider the director of national intelligence's role in briefing the Democratic nominee for president as it evaluates President Trump's pick for the position.
Mueller reveals US and Europe have a Russia problem
Max Bergmann and James Lamond explain why the results of the Mueller investigation suggest that the United States and Europe should take Russian attacks on democracies seriously.
The Russians Are Coming in 2020. Dems Don’t Have to Be Victims This Time.
Max Bergmann and James Lamond explain why foreign interference in the 2020 election cycle is almost guaranteed—and what democrats can do to prevent a repeat of 2016.
Conspiracy Against the United States: The Story of Trump and Russia
The Trump campaign’s alleged collusion with the Russian government in the 2016 U.S. presidential election has become the defining scandal of the administration so far. This report lays out the overwhelming evidence of that collusion, exploring its underpinnings going back decades to create a cohesive explanation for how—and why—the Trump campaign and the Kremlin worked together to install Trump in the White House.
Max Bergmann, Jeremy Venook, the Moscow Project Team
Brian Katulis discusses how newly elected House Democrats can hold the administration accountable and push for a better, more measured foreign policy agenda.
In this week's Tearline: Trump seeks to undermine the Iran Deal, tensions rise with upcoming the Kurdish independence referendum, devastation in the Caribbean after Hurricane Irma, and a look at the Russian government's use of Facebook during the 2016 election.
In this week's Tearline: Dealing with the impacts of hurricanes, the persecution of the Rohingya, a win for the rule of law in Kenya, and more threats from North Korea.
