Mission Statement

Democracies around the world are under assault. Concerted efforts by malign actors to undermine democratic processes and erode democratic institutions pose a foundational threat to the United States and its democratic partners in Europe, Asia, and beyond. External threats from authoritarian governments have coincided with internal challenges from domestic actors to weaken democratic norms and institutions. The time to act is now. Citizens across the ideological spectrum must unite in upholding democracy’s foundational principles and countering autocratic efforts to exploit discord and undermine our institutions.

The Alliance for Securing Democracy (ASD), a nonpartisan initiative housed at the German Marshall Fund of the United States, develops comprehensive strategies to deter, defend against, and raise the costs on autocratic efforts to undermine and interfere in democratic institutions. ASD has staff in Washington, D.C., and Brussels, bringing together experts on disinformation, malign finance, emerging technologies, elections integrity, economic coercion, and cybersecurity, as well as Russia, China, and the Middle East, to collaborate across traditional stovepipes and develop cross-cutting frameworks.

We must not lose sight of the fundamental strength of our free and open societies. By shining a light on autocratic tactics, closing vulnerabilities in democratic systems, and imposing costs on those who seek to undermine our institutions, ASD is helping to support democratic values. Working with policymakers, the private sector, and civil society, we advance innovative thinking to better understand and counter threats to democracies worldwide, share lessons learned, and develop strategies that go beyond the standard policy toolbox. Doing so not only strengthens the resilience of our democracies but is a reaffirmation of the democratic experiment.

Team

ASD brings together a talented and diverse staff with expertise in government, foreign policy, politics, finance, media, and technology to provide quality research, policy recommendations, and analysis of the key issues and threats to our democracies.

Supporters

The Alliance for Securing Democracy (ASD) is an initiative at the German Marshall Fund of the United States. ASD receives funding primarily from philanthropic foundations and individual donors. ASD does not receive any financial support from social media companies.

The Alliance is extremely grateful for the support it receives from our donors, who make it possible to achieve our strategic mission.