Black Politics and American Democracy

We’re in a moment of democratic upheaval in the U.S., w/ race central to how many understand the crisis.

Join Katherine Tate, @coreydfields.bsky.social, & me as we talk Black politics & American Democracy.

In-person & Zoom!
May 18, 4–5:30pm PT

Info + RSVP: cddrl.fsi.stanford.edu/events/black...

How America's political parties evolved since its founding A Pew Research poll released late last year showed just 17% of Americans surveyed said they trusted the government in Washington to do what was right.

While there are changes underfoot and signs of weariness with the status quo, political parties still play a critical role in binding and bridging citizens to their government, says @didikuo1.bsky.social of @stanfordcddrl.bsky.social: ow.ly/jBqW50YGjr0

What Trump Gets Wrong About the Cultural Logic Driving Iran Michele Gelfand thinks that America’s demands for unconditional surrender are hardening the Islamic Republic’s position.

Why isn't pressure on Iran working? In @projectsyndicate.bsky.social, Michele Gelfand argues that Trump's strategy misreads the cultural logic driving Iran's behavior — and that history offers a better model for de-escalation. www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/u...

What Americans can learn from other civil activism movements against authoritarian regimes The US may be experiencing democratic backsliding. Around the world, nonviolent civil movements exist to support democracy and protect fellow citizens.

What can Americans learn from pro-democracy movements in Hungary, Poland, Colombia, and beyond? CDDRL visiting scholar Oliver Kaplan and Tufts' John Shattuck on the lessons — and the parallels. https://ow.ly/sox950YCymf

Supreme Court hears mail-in ballot case that could impact the midterms The Supreme Court heard a case that could reshape how millions of mail-in ballots are counted in this fall's elections. Some states count mail-in ballots that arrive after Election Day as long as they are postmarked by Election Day. The Republican National Committee is challenging that procedure. Ali Rogin discussed the case with Nate Persily, an election law scholar at Stanford University.

A Supreme Court ruling on mail-in ballots could land in June — just months before the midterms. FSI Stanford Senior Fellow Nate Persily weighs in on what it means for states, voters, and election administration. https://ow.ly/6IVf50YCxZ3

Trump Betrayed His Own National Security Strategy There is no doctrine, just whim.

What happens when foreign policy is shaped by personal impulse rather than strategic clarity?

@frankfukuyama.bsky.social examines the widening gap between doctrine, institutions, and decision-making in U.S. foreign policy. www.persuasion.community/p/theres-no-...

🎧 New episode of #WorldClassPodcast
Colin Kahl examines the unfolding military campaign in #Iran w/ Or Rabinowitz of @stanfordcisac.bsky.social and Abbas Milani of @stanfordcddrl.bsky.social, who share their analysis of what the conflict means for the Middle East:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a...

Seven Things to Know About the U.S.-Israel Campaign in Iran Scholars from FSI offer insights into the war between Iran and U.S.-Israel forces, and the risk of the conflict expanding beyond the Middle East.

As the war in #Iran continues, FSI scholars share seven things to know about the U.S.-Israel campaign and its potential to expand beyond the Middle East.

w/ @mcfaulmike.bsky.social, @frankfukuyama.bsky.social, Colin Kahl, and more from @stanfordcisac.bsky.social & @stanfordcddrl.bsky.social

What to know: Operation Epic Fury Amichai Magen, director of Jan Koum Israel studies program at Stanford, joins Raj Mathai to discuss the Iran war.

Amichai Magen of @stanfordcddrl.bsky.social explains how the U.S. strikes on #Iran may work to re-establish its posture with countries like Russia and China, and where the attacks may backfire against America's interests. ow.ly/jVRp50YoRiZ

From panel discussion, "War and the Arab World: Regional Responses and Consequences" at
@stanfordcddrl.bsky.social

For full panel recap and video recording....

Global Trends and Geopolitics in 2026: A Look Ahead YouTube video by FSIStanford

📹 WATCH | FSI scholars Colin Kahl, Larry Diamond, Or Rabinowitz, Anna Grzymała-Busse, & Harold Trinkunas discuss the risks, opportunities, and policy implications in the increasingly complex global landscape of 2026. @theeuropecenter.bsky.social @stanfordcddrl.bsky.social @stanfordcisac.bsky.social

How U.S. Competition with China is Shaping the Global Political Landscape In the first of a new quarterly series of events, scholars from the Freeman Spogli Institute evaluated recent developments in world affairs, and offered an outlook for 2026.

In the first of a new quarterly series of events, scholars from the Freeman Spogli Institute evaluated recent developments in world affairs, and offered an outlook for 2026. Featuring scholars from @theeuropecenter.bsky.social, @stanfordcddrl.bsky.social, @stanfordcisac.bsky.social

Four Years After the Invasion, Ukrainian Leaders Build Foundations for

Four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukrainian officials are implementing reform plans developed at Stanford across parliament, regional government, media, and defense procurement.

Read about our Strengthening Ukrainian Democracy and Development Program alumni:
https://ow.ly/9vIw50YkNcY

Four Years of War: Updates from Ukraine Feb. 24 | A panel discussion with civic and political leaders in Ukraine

🇺🇦 EVENT | Feb. 24, 12:00pm PT
To mark the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion, Ukrainian policymakers Oleksii Movchan, Andriy Shevchenk, and Oleksandra Ustinova will join @mcfaulmike.bsky.social and @stanfordcddrl.bsky.social director Kathryn Stoner to discuss the state of the ongoing war.

How Pro-Democracy Foreign Policy Can Survive Trump — And Emerge Stronger Than Ever In August 1973, Rep. Donald Fraser, a Democrat from Minnesota, convened a series of House hearings on human rights and American foreign policy. It was a dark moment for democracy globally and in the U...

In a new essay for @notus.com, @larrydiamond.bsky.social shares a broader and longer-term view on democracy promotion — why we should do it and how we can build it back better.

We hope this development contributes to continued progress toward the release of all individuals unjustly detained for peaceful civic and political engagement, in Venezuela and beyond, and toward renewed respect for human dignity, fundamental rights, and the rule of law.

Jesús was detained in Venezuela in Dec. 2024 following the country’s stolen presidential election earlier that year amid a broader wave of arrests targeting opposition organizers, journalists, and civil society actors, and his case drew sustained international concern.

2022 Summer Fellow Jesús Armas Released After More Than a Year in A Venezuelan civic leader and alumnus of CDDRL’s Fisher Family Summer Fellows Program, Armas was kidnapped by security forces following the country’s 2024 presidential election.

We are deeply relieved by the release of Jesús Armas (@jesusarmasccs.bsky.social), a Venezuelan civic leader and 2022 alumnus of CDDRL's Fisher Family Summer Fellows Program, after more than a year in detention.

McFaul’s World Podcast: Talking Iran with Abbas Milani Stanford’s leading Iran scholar on the regime, protests, and what comes next

Want to understand better what is happening and why in Iran? Listen to Abbas Milani here:

McFaul’s World Podcast: Talking Iran with Abbas Milani
open.substack.com/pub/michaelm...

Opinion | The End of Fear in Iran

"The fearlessness shown by the demonstrators is why this uprising may prove enduring. ...ignoring these increasingly powerful movements means forfeiting the chance to help the people of Iran rid themselves of this nightmare and to bring about a more peaceful & democratic Middle East." -Abbas Milani

In a new essay, @frankfukuyama.bsky.social argues that the real danger is not violations of international law per se, but the erosion of the norms that restrain power, and a president who recognizes only his own morality as a limit.

Venezuela After Maduro: Democracy, Authoritarian Rebalancing, or Chaos YouTube video by Stanford CDDRL

Thank you for joining us! The recording is now live on our YouTube channel: youtu.be/qfLS2MmYH1g?...

Venezuela After Maduro: Democracy, Authoritarian Rebalancing, or Chaos YouTube video by Stanford CDDRL

Read the summary above or watch the full recording: youtu.be/qfLS2MmYH1g?...

Venezuela After Maduro, Explained

What comes after Maduro?

A panel hosted by CDDRL's Democracy Action Lab on Jan. 7 weighed competing scenarios for #Venezuela’s political future amid elite continuity, economic crisis, and international intervention. https://ow.ly/KM8o50XU8LP

Venezuela After Maduro: Democracy, Authoritarian Rebalancing, or Chaos January 7, 12:00 pm PT

🇻🇪 What comes next for #Venezuela?

Join CDDRL's Democracy Action Lab for a panel discussion examining political uncertainty, democratic reconstruction, and the risks ahead.

📅 January 7, 12:00 pm PT
🔗 Learn more: https://ow.ly/jBgN50XSeIu

Overcoming Barriers to Women’s Political Participation: Evidence from

Why do women participate less in politics in Nigeria?

Claire Adida presented evidence on practical interventions that help close the gap and support women’s civic engagement. https://ow.ly/pTg350XEqWR

Foreign Aid and the Performance of Bureaucrats

How does foreign aid shape bureaucratic behavior?

CDDRL postdoctoral scholar Dr. Maria Nagawa's seminar explored how aid projects affect incentives, effort, and institutional capacity. https://ow.ly/b5EU50XEqRf

The Effects of Financial Exposures on Support for Climate Action

Can financial literacy shift climate beliefs across party lines?

Saumitra Jha presented new evidence showing that personal financial exposure can influence support for climate policy. https://ow.ly/z1tb50XEqO4

The Fisher Family Summer Fellows Program is a unique forum for emerging leaders to connect, exchange experiences & explore new models and frameworks to enhance their ability to promote democratic change in their home countries.

Apply by January 15: https://cddrl.fsi.stanford.edu/summerfellows/apply

Elite Cohesion and the Politics of Electoral Repression

Why do authoritarian regimes repress elections selectively?

UC Davis political scientist Lauren Young joined CDDRL to explain how elite cohesion shapes when and how electoral repression gets deployed. cddrl.fsi.stanford.edu/news/elite-cohesion-and-...