Event – Alliance For Securing Democracy

ASD convenes transatlantic policymakers, elected officials, academics, technical experts, and leaders from civil society and the private sector to address the urgent need to secure our democracies, create a common understanding of the techniques used to undermine democracies, and share lessons learned about effective defensive and deterrent strategies.

David Levine Breaks Down Foreign Interference in Elections with the International Foundation for Electoral Systems

Is the public discussion in our democracies an open dialogue, or do malicious actors manipulate the debate for their own purposes? META (the owners of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp) published a report in September 2022 about “Coordinated Inauthen [...]

2022-11-07T16:47:30-05:00October 27, 2022|By David Levine|

Why Do Foreign Actors Want to Erode U.S. Democracy?

In 2016, 2018, and 2020, America’s foreign adversaries, such as Russia and Iran, attempted to influence the U.S. elections. Just last month, FBI officials warned of potential interference from Russia and China in the upcoming midterms, providing a t [...]

2022-10-20T16:37:38-04:00October 18, 2022|By Laura Thornton|

Laura Thornton Analyzes Backsliding Democracies and Rising Autocracies in Europe with the National Committee on American Foreign Policy

In its 2022 Nations in Transit report, Freedom House observed an ongoing 18-year decline of democracies in Central Europe and Eurasia. With the electoral victories of the Brothers of Italy and the Sweden Democrats, both far-right parties with neo-fa [...]

2022-10-14T14:50:35-04:00October 13, 2022|By Laura Thornton|

Bryce Barros Breaks Down the Geostrategic Implications of Secondary Sanctions with the Association of Foreign Press Correspondents

This educational program, developed by The Association of Foreign Press Correspondents (AFPC-USA) in partnership with the Hinrich Foundation, provided foreign correspondents with the opportunity to learn from four well-known experts and gain a deepe [...]

2022-10-12T11:58:32-04:00October 12, 2022|By Bryce Barros|

David Levine Discusses the Importance of Nonpartisan Election Observation with SMART Elections

The Carter Center & the Alliance for Securing Democracy both leading organizations in election observation, say it's time for nonpartisan observation in U.S. elections. Join a timely and intimate conversation with them on: Why this is the time f [...]

2022-09-28T11:26:28-04:00September 27, 2022|By David Levine|

Laura Thornton on Information Wars at the Tbilisi International Conference 2022

Panelists Jamie Fly, President, RFE/RL Shota Gvernia, Non-Resident Fellow, EPRC Laura Thornton, Director and Senior Fellow, Alliance for Securing Democracy Brian Whitmore, Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council Stefan Meister, Head of Program, [...]

2022-09-08T11:27:05-04:00September 6, 2022|By Laura Thornton|

Rachael Dean Wilson and David Salvo Discuss How Authoritarian Governments are Influencing Pennsylvania Elections with World Affairs Council Pittsburgh

Exacerbating polarization in America is a strategic move for authoritarian governments like Russia, China, and Iran. A democracy entangled in its own disagreements is a weakened player on the world stage and a boon for competitor nations. Iran and R [...]

2022-08-04T13:50:42-04:00July 27, 2022|By Rachael Dean Wilson and David Salvo|

Rachael Dean Wilson and David Salvo Unpack the Rise of Mis/Disinformation and its Effects on Pennsylvania Voters with World Affairs Council Pittsburgh

From fervent attacks on US political campaigns to mis, dis, and mal-information targeting trust in our elections, autocratic interference in democracy is truly a global challenge with local implications. As voters in a key swing state, Pennsylvanian [...]

2022-08-04T13:48:55-04:00July 26, 2022|By Rachael Dean Wilson and David Salvo|

David Levine on Evolving Election Threats with the USC Election Cybersecurity Initiative

2022 University of Southern California Regional Workshop: AK ID OR WA with David Levine, Elections Integrity Fellow, Alliance for Securing Democracy, German Marshall Fund of the United States. For more information about the USC Election Cybersecurit [...]

2022-08-25T15:30:48-04:00July 14, 2022|By David Levine|

Brussels Forum Day 2 // Rebuilding Trust in Elections

It takes more than superb election officials and secure processes to build trust in elections – it is truly a whole of society effort. Democracies need engaged leadership from government, the private sector, the media, and civil society to push back [...]

2022-06-28T13:04:22-04:00June 28, 2022|By Laura Thornton|

Brussels Forum: Day 2 // Democracy at Home and Abroad

China is implementing a multifaceted pressure campaign against Taiwan aimed at undermining the confidence of the people of Taiwan in their democratically elected government and weakening their will to resist integration with China. Beijing’s toolkit [...]

2022-06-28T13:10:26-04:00June 28, 2022|By Laura Thornton|

Bret Schafer on EU-U.S. Cooperation on Addressing Hybrid Threats

Featuring: Jennifer Bachus, Senior Bureau Official and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy, US Department of State Rasmus Hindrén, Head of International Relations, European Centre of Excellence for Counterin [...]

2022-06-23T07:54:00-04:00June 22, 2022|By Bret Schafer|

Vassilis Ntousas on Democracy vs. Autocracy with the Global Progressive Forum

ASD's Head of European Operations Vassilis Ntousas moderated a panel on democracy vs. autocracy as part of the Global Progressive Forum 2022. [...]

2022-05-16T15:04:25-04:00May 12, 2022|By Vassilis Ntousas|

Bret Schafer Unpacks Russian and Chinese Disinformation Nexus with Washington Foreign Press Center

This briefing unpacks the Russia-China disinformation nexus, with a focus on the Global South, as well as the countries' increasing information warfare campaigns, within the context of Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. [...]

2022-05-03T14:38:24-04:00April 27, 2022|By Bret Schafer|

Cities Fortifying Democracy: A Conversation with the Mayor of Warsaw

Opening Remarks Heather A. Conley President, The German Marshall Fund of the United States Speakers: Rafał Trzaskowski Mayor, City of Warsaw, Poland Moderator: Laura Thornton Director, The Alliance for Securing Democracy, The German Marshall Fund of [...]

2022-10-28T15:41:36-04:00April 25, 2022|By Laura Thornton|

Chinese Disinformation Fuels the War in Ukraine

Chinese disinformation spiked after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. China uses similar tactics as during the Covid-19 pandemic, but the scale and intensity are greater. Chinese disinformation conceals Russia’s responsibility for the war and promotes R [...]

2022-04-12T10:21:06-04:00April 8, 2022|By Bret Schafer|

Laura Thornton Analyzes Country Commitments from the Summit for Democracy with the Global Democracy Coalition

The Government of the United States hosted the first of two Summits for Democracy on 8–10 December 2021. In the face of increasing challenges to democracy globally, they aimed to bring together leaders from government, civil society and the private [...]

2022-04-06T11:43:45-04:00April 5, 2022|By Laura Thornton|

Propaganda, Politics, and War: Information Manipulation in France’s Presidential Election

Speakers Iris Boyer, Advisory, Institute for Strategic Dialogue France Julien Nocetti, Associate Fellow, French Institute of International Relations Bret Schafer, Senior Fellow and Head of the Information Manipulation Team, Alliance for Securing Dem [...]

2022-04-01T09:17:49-04:00March 29, 2022|By Kristine Berzina and Bret Schafer|

Director Laura Thornton Testifies Before European Parliament on Transatlantic Cooperation during Russia’s War in Ukraine

Statement before the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs Hearing on Transatlantic Cooperation Following Russian Aggression on Ukraine Ukraine and Global Democracy March 14, 2022 Thank you, Chair David McAllister and Rapporteur Tonino P [...]

2022-03-15T11:10:34-04:00March 14, 2022|By Laura Thornton|

How to Win the Disinformation War in Ukraine?

The disinformation war in Ukraine has now moved well past the initial stage and continues apace. Yet, Ukraine seems to be beating Russia at its own game on the information battlefield as officials in Kyiv are treating it as a real front line. So far [...]

2022-03-14T16:11:21-04:00March 9, 2022|By Bret Schafer|

David Levine Participates in the Association of European Election Officials’ Global Elections Day Summit

The aim of the Global Elections Day (GED) is to celebrate our most important democratic institution: elections. In the past almost two decades Global Elections Day evolved into a tradition, a real celebration organized in democracies throughout the [...]

2022-02-04T11:36:05-05:00February 3, 2022|By David Levine|

Chinese Disinformation in the Black Sea Region and Western Balkans

Speakers: Laura Thornton Director & Senior Fellow – Alliance for Securing Democracy (GMF) Sorin Ioniță Analyst & Civic Leader – Expert Forum Stefan Vladisavljev Author - China Observers Moderator: Alexandra Martin Rethink.CEE Fellow – GMF Di [...]

2022-02-01T12:36:10-05:00January 27, 2022|By Laura Thornton|

Laura Thornton Joins GMF for a Transatlantic Readout of the Summit for Democracy

Speakers: Amb. Stéphane Dion, Special Envoy of Canada to the EU and Europe & Ambassador to Germany Laura Thornton, Director, Alliance for Securing Democracy Manuel Lafont-Rapnouil, Director of Policy Planning, French Ministry for Europe and Fore [...]

2021-12-16T09:50:49-05:00December 14, 2021|By Laura Thornton|

Laura Thornton Discusses NATO’s Role in Countering Disinformation with the McCain Institute

NATO and its members are facing a growing threat in the form of disinformation campaigns that can be traced back to authoritarian regimes and their proxies. Much of this “weaponized” information seems aimed at weakening confidence in member governme [...]

2021-12-16T09:46:02-05:00December 14, 2021|By Laura Thornton|

Zack Cooper Testifies Before the Congressional-Executive Commission on China on China’s Economic Coercion

Statement before the Congressional-Executive Commission on China Hearing on How China Uses Economic Coercion to Silence Critics and Achieve its Political Aims Globally Between Beijing and a Hard Place: Responding to China’s Economic Coercion Zack Co [...]

2021-12-09T15:52:45-05:00December 7, 2021|By Zack Cooper|

Enablers of Malign Finance

Panelists: Will Fitzgibbon, Senior Reporter, International Consortium of Investigative Journalists Sydney Freedberg, Chief Reporter, International Consortium of Investigative Journalists Neil Jeans, Principal Consultant, Initialism Lakshmi Kumar, Po [...]

2022-01-11T12:49:11-05:00December 7, 2021|By Josh Rudolph|

Responses to Foreign Information Operations

Panelists: Anneli Ahonen, Senior Fellow, ISD Global, and Former Head of East Stratcom Task Force, EEAS & EU vs Disinfo Renée DiResta, Research Manager, Stanford Internet Observatory Lee Foster, Senior Vice President, Althea Group and Former Dire [...]

2022-01-11T12:46:30-05:00December 7, 2021|By Bret Schafer|

Josh Kirschenbaum Testifies Before European Parliament on Anti-Money Laundering

Statement of JOSHUA KIRSCHENBAUM Alliance for Securing Democracy, the German Marshall Fund of the United States BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC AND MONETARY AFFAIRS AND THE COMMITTEE ON CIVIL LIBERTIES, JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS Concerning “Anti-Mon [...]

2021-12-02T14:06:17-05:00December 1, 2021|By Joshua Kirschenbaum|

One Year Out from the Midterms: Maurice Turner on Where Election Misinformation Stands with BPC

Election misinformation is more prevalent now than at any other time in American history. 29% of Americans believe the 2020 election was “stolen” from former President Trump, despite there being no evidence of widespread voter fraud in any state. So [...]

2021-11-05T11:10:22-04:00November 4, 2021|By Maurice Turner|

David Levine Discusses Countering Russian Interference in European Elections with IFES

The government of the Russian Federation uses different approaches to destabilize democratic governments across Europe and encourage the rise of populist, anti-democratic regimes. In the face of this challenge, what can be done to assist countries i [...]

2021-11-04T11:48:07-04:00October 27, 2021|By David Levine|

Approaches to Tackling Information Manipulation: A Conversation with Hybrid CoE’s Teija Tiilikainen

The Alliance for Securing Democracy hosted Dr. Teija Tiilikainen, director of the European Centre of Excellence on Hybrid Threats (CoE), for a candid discussion on the informational threats facing Europe today, as well as practical, inter-disciplina [...]

2021-10-15T13:58:52-04:00October 14, 2021|By Bret Schafer and Laura Thornton|

Eastern European Digital Symposium On Civil Resistance

ASD Director Laura Thornton joined the Georgian Strategic Analysis Center to discuss democracy promotion. [...]

2021-10-06T13:38:24-04:00October 6, 2021|By Laura Thornton|

Curbing Enablers: A Transatlantic Response to Illicit Finance

The professional services offered by the US and UK remain an Achilles’ heel in the fight against illicit finance. This discussion will consider how London and Washington can make a step-change in combatting these facilitators. Criminals, malign acto [...]

2021-10-07T11:02:51-04:00October 6, 2021|By Josh Rudolph|

Helsinki Commission Briefing: Enabling Kleptocracy

Modern dictatorship relies on access to the West. Lawyers, lobbyists, accountants, real estate professionals, consultants, and others help kleptocrats launder their money and reputations—and exert undue influence in democracies—in exchange for dirty [...]

2021-09-30T12:33:51-04:00September 29, 2021|By Josh Rudolph|

Lithuania on the Frontlines: A Conversation with Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis

The German Marshall Fund of the United States invites you to a timely virtual conversation with Lithuania's Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis. The foreign minister is in Washington on September 15 for high-level meetings with senior U.S. offic [...]

2021-09-17T14:43:52-04:00September 17, 2021|By Kristine Berzina|

Information Manipulation in Germany’s Federal Election

Germany’s ongoing election campaign is an alluring target for foreign and domestic actors seeking to influence and undermine the democratic process. The Alliance for Securing Democracy (ASD) and the Berlin office of the German Marshall Fund of the U [...]

2021-09-17T14:39:07-04:00September 2, 2021|By Kristine Berzina, Bret Schafer and Laura Thornton|

Josh Kirschenbaum Discusses Shoring Up Anti-Money Laundering Supervision in Europe with PIEE

A series of anti–money laundering (AML) supervisory fiascos since 2018 have raised doubts about the integrity of the EU financial system. In July, the European Commission published wide-ranging proposals for reform, including the creation of a new E [...]

2021-09-07T14:40:09-04:00September 1, 2021|By Joshua Kirschenbaum|

Maurice Turner Explains Why Hacking Voters Is Easier Than Hacking Ballots at Def Con

Vulnerabilities in U.S. election infrastructure not only expose the nation’s elections to hybrid physical and network attacks, but its voters to influence campaigns designed to cast doubt in the process itself. Authoritarian regimes such as Russia, [...]

2021-08-09T09:37:25-04:00August 7, 2021|By Maurice Turner|

Maurice Turner on Tackling the Remnants of Systematic Discrimination in the Tech Industry at Def Con

It’s easy to just accept the status quo even when it’s harmful because that’s just how it’s always been done. Discrimination in the tech industry is no different. The reuse and amplification of discriminatory language can have damaging effects on th [...]

2021-08-09T11:56:42-04:00August 6, 2021|By Maurice Turner|

Laura Thornton on the Appeal of Autocrats with One Young World

Director Laura Thornton joined One Young World to discuss the appeal of autocrats. [...]

2021-08-04T15:29:51-04:00August 4, 2021|By Laura Thornton|

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