Spending package restores some foreign aid A bipartisan bill allocates $50 billion for foreign aid spending in 2026, down from what was allocated in 2024 but billions more than what the Trump administration had signaled it would approve.

I spoke with @npr.org about Congress’s $50B foreign aid deal after a year of cuts. Growing Republican support suggests “buyer’s remorse”: Trump-era retreats weakened U.S. soft power.
Listen here: www.npr.org/2026/01/28/n...

Postmark changes could cause midterm election chaos - Salon.com A seemingly minor change could have huge ripple effects for rural and military voters

Administrative rules like how mail gets postmarked can quietly shape whose votes get counted. Recent clarifications by USPS could affect upcoming elections. Read ‪@rpaynereport.bsky.social’s recent article in which I help unpack the situation further @salon.com:
www.salon.com/2026/01/12/p...

Postmark changes could cause midterm election chaos - Salon.com A seemingly minor change could have huge ripple effects for rural and military voters

USPS’ postmark rules could impact the 2026 midterms. In many states, mail ballots are counted by postmarked date, but by shifting the rules around processing, valid ballots could get rejected ‪@rpaynereport.bsky.social.‬ Read more:
www.salon.com/2026/01/12/p...

The global implications of the US military operation in Venezuela | Brookings Brookings scholars assess the global implications of the U.S. military operation in Caracas, Venezuela.

The implications of 1/3 events for Venezuelan democracy & democracy globally, are profound. My @brookings.edu colleagues & I provide our perspectives, including how the administration's actions connect to U.S. waning support for int'l democracy & human rights.

www.brookings.edu/articles/the...

The global implications of the US military operation in Venezuela | Brookings Brookings scholars assess the global implications of the U.S. military operation in Caracas, Venezuela.

In this @brookings.edu ngs.edu piece, I unpack what US actions in Venezuela signal about US commitment to democratic renewal. The U.S. democracy retreat unfortunately continues. Read what my colleagues and I have to say about recent events.

www.brookings.edu/articles/the...

Inside the next Democracy Playbook: Strategies for global democratic U-turns | Brookings In this episode, ACDS chair Norm Eisen discusses the forthcoming fourth edition of the Democracy Playbook and the emerging research showing how democracies can reverse democratic backsliding. He expla...

Check out @brookings.edu The Current podcast with @normeisen.bsky.social who sheds critical insight about the next Democracy Playbook in 2026 and groundbreaking strategies it will focus on impacting global democratic U-turns. www.brookings.edu/articles/ins...

Mail voting fraud: Data points to low risk and high benefits for voters | Brookings Analysis finds mail voting fraud in the U.S. is exceedingly rare and shows universal vote-by-mail boosts access, turnout, and cost efficiency.

With a possible Trump mail voting EO ahead of the 2026 election, millions of American voters need to know what's at stake for our democracy. In our @brookings.edu piece, we discuss the benefits of mail voting & how research shows it is secure & accessible.

www.brookings.edu/articles/mai...

Mail voting fraud: Data points to low risk and high benefits for voters | Brookings Analysis finds mail voting fraud in the U.S. is exceedingly rare and shows universal vote-by-mail boosts access, turnout, and cost efficiency.

Mail voting is essential to U.S. democracy & free, fair, & secure elections. In a new article, @brookings.edu our research shows mail voting in every U.S. state, particularly universal vote-by-mail, is secure & benefits millions of U.S. voters.

Read more here: www.brookings.edu/articles/mai...

Global democracy is more resilient than you may think | Brookings Despite global backsliding, recent research shows that democracy remains resilient. Learn how pro-democracy movements are shaping its future.

Democracies worldwide face unprecedented challenges, but a malfunctioning democracy does not mean it is doomed to autocracy, especially if pro-democracy actors act quickly to reverse course.

Read my latest @brookings.edu with @normeisen.bsky.social

www.brookings.edu/articles/glo...

Global democracy is more resilient than you may think | Brookings Despite global backsliding, recent research shows that democracy remains resilient. Learn how pro-democracy movements are shaping its future.

Democracies worldwide face unprecedented challenges, but a malfunctioning democracy does not mean it is doomed to autocracy, especially if pro-democracy actors act quickly to reverse course.

Read my latest @brookings.edu with @normeisen.bsky.social

www.brookings.edu/articles/glo...

Global democracy is more resilient than you may think | Brookings Despite global backsliding, recent research shows that democracy remains resilient. Learn how pro-democracy movements are shaping its future.

There is reason for optimism abt the future of global democracy

Everyone has a role to play

@jondkatz.bsky.social & I explain why in our NEW @brookings.edu 👇-TN

www.brookings.edu/articles/glo...

While Russia targets democracies in Europe - US is absent. I spoke to @ralexdc.bsky.social @kyivpost.com st.com about Russia's recent influence operations & impact on Moldova & Czech elections. US democracy retreat gifts Putin & harms US economy & security interests.

www.kyivpost.com/post/61628

Democracy and policy: Reimagining a global democratic future | Brookings Key takeaways emerged from a conference of democracy experts and practitioners who gathered to reimagine democracy at this pivotal moment.

Democracies are threatened globally. @Brookings.edu ACDS project & partners hosted a forum on “Democracy & policy: Reimagining a global democratic future,” examining threats, political parties, civil society & strategies to bolster a shared democratic future: Read: www.brookings.edu/articles/key...

Democracy and policy: Reimagining a global democratic future | Brookings Key takeaways emerged from a conference of democracy experts and practitioners who gathered to reimagine democracy at this pivotal moment.

Democracies are threatened globally. @Brookings.edu ACDS project & partners hosted a forum on “Democracy & policy: Reimagining a global democratic future,” examining threats, political parties, civil society & strategies to bolster a shared democratic future: Read: www.brookings.edu/articles/key...

Thank you again @joelrm for the opportunity to join Making Sense of World to speak to the challenges facing American democracy, and to dissect Trump's retreat from values and human rights globally. Our democracy will wither on the vine unless Americans respond to the growing threats.

Addressing political violence to protect American democracy | Brookings Recent acts of political violence in the U.S. are a threat to democracy, but strategies exist to prevent them while protecting freedoms.

Political violence is a threat to the safety & security of Americans & democracy. My @brookings.edu piece addresses the rise of political violence, harassment & intimidation. We recommend tools/strategies to combat, prevent, respond to this growing threat. www.brookings.edu/articles/pol...

American Democracy on Fire We've seen this playbook before. It doesn't end well...

The longer an autocrat is power the harder it is to restore democracy. Joined @joelmrubin.bsky.social Making Sense of the World to discuss democratic decline under Trump, 26' mid-term elections & consequences to Americans of corruption and poor governance. www.thesirennetwork.com/p/american-d...

American Democracy on Fire We've seen this playbook before. It doesn't end well...

The longer an autocrat is power the harder it is to restore democracy. Joined @joelmrubin.bsky.social Making Sense of the World to discuss democratic decline under Trump, 26' mid-term elections & consequences to Americans of corruption and poor governance. www.thesirennetwork.com/p/american-d...

American Democracy on Fire We've seen this playbook before. It doesn't end well...

This week on Making Sense of the World, @jondkatz.bsky.social and I dove deep into the state of democracy globally - particularly the concerning speed & consequences of democratic decay in the U.S.

Listen to the full episode on @thesirennetwork.bsky.social

www.thesirennetwork.com/p/american-d...

From Soft Power To Silence: The Collapse Of USAID We explore what led to the closure, the political forces behind it and why experts warn the ripple effects both at home and abroad could be devastating.

USAID has been an integral multi-year US tool to advance global health, development & bolster our security. Trumps USAID closure risks millions of lives, jeopardizes humanitarian aid efforts & cripples US soft power. Great to speak w/@viewpointsradio.bsky.social.
viewpointsradio.org/from-soft-po...

From Soft Power To Silence: The Collapse Of USAID We explore what led to the closure, the political forces behind it and why experts warn the ripple effects both at home and abroad could be devastating.

USAID has been an integral multi-year US tool to advance global health, development & bolster our security. Trumps USAID closure risks millions of lives, jeopardizes humanitarian aid efforts & cripples US soft power. Great to speak w/@viewpointsradio.bsky.social.
viewpointsradio.org/from-soft-po...

From Soft Power To Silence: The Collapse Of USAID We explore what led to the closure, the political forces behind it and why experts warn the ripple effects both at home and abroad could be devastating.

The short/long-term consequences of the Trump administration’s shuttering of USAID in July will be disastrous & far-reaching in the US/globally. I joined @viewpointsradio.bsky.social @brookings.edu George Ingram to discuss the fallout of USAIDs dismantling. viewpointsradio.org/from-soft-po...

THE COLD WAR WITHIN powervertical · THE COLD WAR WITHIN THE COLD WAR WITHIN If the old Cold War was a twilight struggle between and among states, the new Cold War is a subtler and stealthier struggle within states. Li…

Six months into new administration US democracy is teetering but not dead. Joined @powervertical.bsky.social to discuss state of US/global democracy & @brookings.edu 25' Democracy Playbook & confronting autocrats.@normeisen.bsky.social tehhttps://www.powervertical.org/2025/07/18/the-cold-war-within/

THE COLD WAR WITHIN powervertical · THE COLD WAR WITHIN THE COLD WAR WITHIN If the old Cold War was a twilight struggle between and among states, the new Cold War is a subtler and stealthier struggle within states. Li…

If the old Cold War was was fought between states, the new Cold War is being fought within states. On The Power Vertical Podcast, I speak with Jonathan Katz of The Brookings Institution & Corina Rebegea of the Accountability Lab to discuss its dynamics.
www.powervertical.org/2025/07/18/t...

Thx @powervertical.bsky.social for the opportunity to join this discussion. The same efforts to tear apart democracies from within are connected to a growing global autocratic network. Democracies & democracy actors have the tools to strengthen, preserve, & renew democracy despite the challenges.

How do we safeguard democracy? | Brookings Democracy is upheld not by one president or the powerful few, but by democratic actors at every level—individual, local, state, and national. In this episode, host Katie Dunn Tenpas and Jonathan Katz,...

Democracy is imperiled in the U.S. & globally—but democratic actors can stop backsliding. On @brookings.edu Democracy in Question with @kdunntenpas.bsky.social I delve into the 2025 Democracy Playbook, discuss the 7 pillars to defend domestic and global democracy. www.brookings.edu/articles/how...

THE COLD WAR WITHIN powervertical · THE COLD WAR WITHIN THE COLD WAR WITHIN If the old Cold War was a twilight struggle between and among states, the new Cold War is a subtler and stealthier struggle within states. Li…

Six months into new administration US democracy is teetering but not dead. Joined @powervertical.bsky.social to discuss state of US/global democracy & @brookings.edu 25' Democracy Playbook & confronting autocrats.@normeisen.bsky.social tehhttps://www.powervertical.org/2025/07/18/the-cold-war-within/

How do we safeguard democracy? | Brookings Democracy is upheld not by one president or the powerful few, but by democratic actors at every level—individual, local, state, and national. In this episode, host Katie Dunn Tenpas and Jonathan Katz,...

Democracy is imperiled in the U.S. & globally—but democratic actors can stop backsliding. On @brookings.edu Democracy in Question with @kdunntenpas.bsky.social I delve into the 2025 Democracy Playbook, discuss the 7 pillars to defend domestic and global democracy. www.brookings.edu/articles/how...

Excited to attend @globsec.bsky.social Forum 2025 w/ @brookings.edu @normeisen.bsky.social. Ready to engage w/leaders on transatlantic alliance future, evolving threats & policy responses to challenges. This dialogue is critical w/democracy in balance globally

forum2025.globsec.org/attendease/n...

Imported Steel Tariffs Double, White House Rescission Request, Gaza Aid Paused : Up First from NPR Starting today, the tax on imported steel and aluminum doubles to 50 percent. The White House has formally asked Congress to take back $9.4 billion dollars in funding for foreign aid and public media....

I joined Up First with @npr.org Fatma Tanis to discuss the WH recission package and the dangerous DOGE cuts Trump wants Congress to cement. There are real harms to U.S. national security & global leadership associated with the permanent loss of these funds to USAID.
www.npr.org/2025/06/04/1...