Democracy Digest » National Democratic Institute

Russia: USAID leaves ‘remarkable legacy- – and anxious civil society

Demdigest — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 20:09:21 +0000

: USAID developed a stronger civil society, said US envoy McFaul

The Kremlin’s decision to expel the U.S. Agency for International Development is an attempt to energize xenophobic sentiment in response to President Vladimir Putin’s declining popularity, says a leading analyst.

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Making democracy work

Demdigest — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 21:03:37 +0000

At a time of elevated partisanship in domestic affairs, U.S. political leaders would do well to reflect on a path-breaking bipartisan initiative that helped liberate millions from authoritarian rule, writes Mark R. Kennedy.

“As today’s political leaders seek to …

Women’s quotas in Arab states: filled but empty seats?

Demdigest — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 18:36:42 +0000

For decades, the Arab states have had the lowest rate of female parliamentary representation of any region in the world, writes Dr. Isobel Coleman of the Council on Foreign Relations, introducing a Fikra Forum on women’s quotas.

In an effort …

Russia’s ruling party ‘accepted US funds’

Demdigest — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 17:56:40 +0000

Russia’s ruling party participated in programs funded by the US Agency for International Development, the same agency the Kremlin is expelling from the country on the grounds that it interferes in domestic politics.

“The allegation could be deeply embarrassing …

Gulf NGO closures ‘ring alarm bell’ for Arab democracy

Demdigest — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 22:41:28 +0000

“Possibly emboldened by Washington’s recent decision to approve military aid to Egypt without conditions on improving human rights,” National Journal reports, the United Arab Emirates has shut down the Dubai office of the National Democratic Institute.

UAE authorities yesterday …

Egypt’s ‘clearly politicized’ NGO case raises strategic issues

Demdigest — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 18:30:24 +0000

An American democracy worker appeared in a Cairo courtroom cage today with fellow Egyptian defendants charged with illegally using foreign funds for political purposes. But the judge adjourned the case against 43 pro-democracy activists until April 10.

Judge Makram Awad …

‘Super populist outrage’ another ‘bump in the road’ of Egypt’s transition

Demdigest — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 22:03:02 +0000

The Egyptian government’s climb down over the prosecution of pro-democracy non-governmental groups has sparked “super populist outrage” that threatens to further complicate efforts to negotiate an end to a crisis and highlights “a major obstacle in U.S.-Egyptian relations: …

Concern for Egypt’s activists as regime’s ‘posturing against US backfires’

Demdigest — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 20:58:10 +0000

The departure of American democracy activists facing prosecution in Egypt must not divert attention from the continuing crackdown on civil society, activists and lawmakers warned today.

“When the international attention is gone, human rights activists in Egypt will bear the …

‘Uneasy’ judges withdraw from Egypt’s NGO trial

Demdigest — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 23:36:22 +0000

All three judges in the trial of 43 pro-democracy activists in Egypt have recused themselves, according to a court official.

The principal Judge Mohammed Shoukry said that “the court felt uneasiness” about the case, the official said:

The trial …

Brotherhood not ‘intimidated’ by US aid threat over Orwellian NGO crackdown

Demdigest — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 22:23:48 +0000

: Nancy Okail reading Orwell in the dock. Credit: European Pressphoto Agency

Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood insists it will not be “intimidated” by threats to withhold U.S. assistance in response to the government’s crackdown on pro-democracy groups, but observers believe the …