Commentary from NDI Board members and staff on democracy promotion generally and on specific NDI programs.
An antidote to Yemeni frailty
Yemen’s presence in the headlines has skyrocketed recently, but Leslie Campbell, NDI’s senior associate and regional director for the Middle East and North Africa, writes in a recent op-ed that Yemen’s status as an unstable terrorist haven “is not a new phenomenon nor as difficult to address as it might seem.”
January 11, 2010 | Read »
Chris Fomunyoh on the State of Democracy in Africa
At the University of Denver, senior associate for Africa Chris Fomunyoh addressed students on the issues of freedom, democracy and development in African countries. He identified the major challenges to democracy in Africa as threefold: poverty, the "oil curse," and poor management of resources both natural and human. Despite these challenges, he sees the demand for democracy growing in Africa.
December 10, 2009 | Read »
Peter Manikas: "Afghanistan's Anti-Corruption Efforts Should Begin with Election Reform"
NDI’s Asia Director, Peter Manikas, calls for a commission of inquiry to review the conduct of the recent presidential election in Afghanistan. Such a review is necessary as a credible first step in the new government’s anti-corruption campaign.
December 7, 2009 | Read »
Madeleine Albright: "We Must Keep Freedom Alive"
NDI Chairman Madeleine Albright looks back at the last twenty years of the progression of democracy and freedom since the Berlin Wall fell, and surveys the current state of freedom and democracy around the world.
November 8, 2009 | Read »
Rob Benjamin: "Challenges to Democracy in Serbia"
Rob Benjamin, Regional Director of Central and Eastern Europe at NDI, shares his impressions of how Serbia has changed since he began to frequent the country in 1995. Rob talks about the effect of Slobodan Milosevic and the challenges that Serbia faces as it continues to democratize.
November 6, 2009 | Read »
Karin von Hippel: "Cameras and Invisible Ink"
Karin von Hippel of the Center for Strategic and International Studies and a member of NDI's observer delegation for Afghanistan's Aug. 20 elections joins the debate at the New York Times about whether a fair election is possible in Afghanistan. Von Hippel lays out four points that she believes will help toward a peaceful and accurate vote for the runoff.
October 21, 2009 | Read »
Gary Hart: "Never Enough Observers"
Former Senator Gary Hart, a member of NDI's observer delegation for Afghanistan's Aug. 20 elections, adds his opinion to the New York Times' question, "is a fair election in Afghanistan possible?" Hart stresses the need for increasing the number of international observers, to limit the opportunities for fraud.
October 21, 2009 | Read »
NDI's Peter Manikas on the runoff election in Afghanistan
In an interview with the Council on Foreign Relations, NDI director of Asia programs, Peter Manikas, discusses the Afghan presidential runoff election and what the international community can do to encourage transparency in the voting.
October 20, 2009 | Read »
Madeleine Albright on Iran and Afghanistan
NDI Chairman Madeleine Albright speaks to the Christian Science Monitor about Iran, Afghanistan and her new book, Read My Pins.
October 7, 2009 | Read »
NDI’s Pat Merloe Speaks to PRI's The World
Pat Merloe, NDI's director for programs on election processes, spoke to PRI's "The World" about the role of international election observers in Afghanistan, in the wake of a new survey that found that a majority of people in the 17 countries surveyed think that their country would benefit from more international election monitoring.
September 8, 2009 | Listen »
NDI Election Observers Present Afghanistan Election Findings in Washington Forum
Members of NDI's international election observation mission in Afghanistan presented their preliminary findings at a panel hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies. The event featured NDI President Kenneth Wollack; Peter Manikas, NDI regional director for Asia; Kristin Haffert, NDI director of women's political participation programs; Karin von Hippel of CSIS; Karl Inderfurth of the George Washington University; and Christine Fair of Georgetown University.
September 3, 2009 | Watch »
NDI’s Peter Manikas on BBC's The World Tonight
Peter Manikas, NDI's regional director for Asia programs, appeared on The BBC's "The World Tonight" to discuss allegations of fraud in the Afghan elections. He speaks about the security situation and its impact on the voting process. He also speaks about the standards by which the final vote should be judged. Jump to the 36-minute mark to hear Manikas' thoughts.
August 18, 2009 | Listen »
NDI’s Susan Page Interviewed by NPR’s Tell me More with Michel Martin
Susan Page, NDI’s regional director for Southern and Eastern Africa, appeared as a guest on NPR’s “Tell Me More,” to participate in a discussion on Secretary Clinton’s tour of Africa and its implications for U.S./African relations. Page reflected on the trip as a whole, and emphasized the significance of Clinton’s visit to South Africa, which takes place in light of South Africa’s recent decision not to abide by an African Union resolution to halt cooperation with the International Criminal Court’s indictment of Sudan President Omar Al-Bashir.
August 6, 2009 | Listen »
NDI’s Susan Page Testifies at Senate Foreign Relations Committee Hearing on Sudan
Susan Page, NDI’s regional director for Southern and Eastern Africa, testified in front of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee during its hearing: “Toward a Comprehensive Strategy for Sudan.” Page detailed the fragile nature of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, for which she provided counsel from 2005 to 2007 during its implementation.
July 30, 2009 | Read more »
NDI’s Chris Fomunyoh Writes on Mediating Election-Related Conflict
Chris Fomunyoh, NDI’s senior associate for Africa, produced a report in collaboration with The Center for Humanitarian Dialogue on mediating election-related conflict. In the report, Dr. Fomunyoh discusses the electoral process, including its phases, flash-points and means of mediation, as well as impediments to mediation of conflict.
July 28, 2009 | Read more » | In French»
NDI’s Roula Attar Discusses Democracy Promotion at Brookings in Doha
Brookings Doha Center hosted a discussion session on “Democracy Promotion and America’s Key Arab Allies: Limits and Prospects,” where experts, including Roula Attar, resident director of NDI’s office in Jordan detailed the efforts of previous administrations to promote democracy in the Arab world and looked forward to the efforts of President Barack Obama and his future plans.
July 28, 2009 | Read more »
Resolving the Honduras Crisis: Options and Actions
Jim Swigert, Senior Associate and Regional Director, Latin America and Caribbean Programs participated in a panel at the Americas Society about the factors contributing to the crisis in Honduras, the responses of the United States and the Organization of American States, and the road ahead for Honduras and the international community. The debate was spirited, revealing diverging viewpoints on how to understand and resolve the conflict.
July 9, 2009 | Read the summary or listen to the audio podcast»
Too Little, Too Late
Pat Merloe, NDI’s director for electoral programs, wrote that Iran’s election system has major gaps that cause it to fall short of even minimum standards, in an article published on ForeignPolicy.com.
June 26, 2009 | Read more »
NDI’s Laura Jewett remarks on Kyrgyzstan’s July 23 presidential election
Laura Jewett, NDI’s regional director for Eurasia, remarked on Kyrgyzstan’s July 23 presidential election before the U.S. Congressional Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe.
June 18, 2009 | Read more »
NDI’s Robert Benjamin Addresses Albanian Elections
Robert Benjamin, NDI’s Central and Eastern Europe regional director, addressed the approaching Albanian parliamentary elections and the country's democratic transition as part of a briefing for the U.S. Congressional Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe.
June 4, 2009 | Read more »
Obama's Muslim Speech
With President Barack Obama set to address a predominately Muslim audience in Egypt, NDI chairman Madeleine K. Albright highlights the significance of the speech and advises the president on the issues to tackle in an op-ed in the New York Times.
June 2, 2009 | Read more »
Don’t Forget About Foreign Aid
In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, NDI chairman Madeleine K. Albright underscores the importance of international development to U.S. foreign policy.
May 5, 2009 | Read more »
Obama Pressures Sudanese President on Darfur
Susan Page, NDI regional director for Southern and East Africa programs, speaks with Chicago Public Radio about the risks and challenges facing world policy makers in Sudan.
April 7, 2009 | Read more »
Quieter Approach to Spreading Democracy Abroad
NDI President Kenneth Wollack and others speak to The New York Times about the evolving role of democracy support in United States foreign policy under the new administration.
February 21, 2009 | Read more »
Promoting Democracy and Human Rights Worldwide
In a web chat on America.gov, NDI President Kenneth Wollack and IRI President Lorne Craner talk elaborate on the experiences of the institutes and new directions being taken in democracy assistance.
January 29, 2009 | Read transcript »
Legislative Oversight and Budgeting
As contributing authors of a new book, Robert Nakamura, NDI resident country director in Nigeria, and John Johnson, NDI director for governance programs, explore oversight and budgeting challenges facing legislatures around the world.
December 22, 2008 | Read more »
The Future of the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI)
At a recent briefing on Capitol Hill, Les Campell, NDI regional director for Middle East and North Africa programs, discussed the Institute’s productive working relationship with MEPI, citing numerous programs in Morocco, Kuwait and Egypt that were made possible with MEPI funds. Campbell described the unique advantage to having MEPI – a body that deals with political development and democracy, education, women’s issues and economic development – situated within the State Department’s Bureau for Near Eastern Affairs and urged its continuation in the next administration. The briefing was sponsored by the Project on Middle East Democracy.
November 14, 2008 | Read more »
On Democracy Promotion
Robert Benjamin, NDI director for Central and Eastern Europe programs, discusses democracy support programs at the Institute and beyond during a panel discussion in Budapest.
November 2008 | Read more »
Semi-Presidentialism in Central and Eastern Europe
Sophia Moestrup, NDI senior program manager for Central and West Africa, examines the effects of “semi-presidentialism” on democratization in the region since 1990.
November 2008 | Read more »
Democratic Change: Worldwide Trends and US Policies
NDI president Kenneth Wollack speaks about NDI's work and America's role in global democracy promotion during a visit to the University of Michigan.
October 23, 2008 | Read more »
Voice of America Discussion
The Voice of America's Encounter program featured Susan Page, NDI director for southern and east Africa programs, during a discussion of the Zimbabwe power-sharing agreement.
September 21, 2008 | Read more »
Belarus On The Eve Of Elections
At a hearing of the United States Helsinki Commission, Laura Jewett, director of NDI's Eurasia programs, discussed the pending parliamentary elections in Belarus.
September 16, 2008 | Read more »
Albright, Bosnian Official on International Delegation to DNC
Colorado Public Radio interviewed NDI Chairman Madeleine K. Albright and former Bosnian President Zlatko Lagumdzija about ILF.
August 26, 2008 | Read more »
NDI, IRI Presidents Discuss Democracy Promotion at Panel
Kenneth Wollack and Lorne Craner, the presidents of NDI and IRI respectively, spoke about a paper, New Directions in Democracy Promotion, which makes the case for America’s continuing engagement in democracy programs abroad and the opportunities and challenges that presents for the next administration. The two also discussed the paper Aug. 10 on C-SPAN's Washington Journal.
August 12, 2008 | Read more »
Watch the panel discussion
Watch the Washington Journal discussion
Read the paper (*.pdf)
Human Rights: the Basis for Inclusiveness, Transparency, Accountability, and Public Confidence in Elections
Election programs director Patrick Merloe discusses human rights and democratic elections in a chapter of a new book for the American Bar Association.
July 9, 2008 | Read more »
Africa: The Challenges of Leadership
At a conference in Abuja, Nigeria, Christopher Fomunyoh, NDI regional director for central and west Africa, discusses advances in democratization in Africa and the many challenges remaining.
June 2008 | Read more »
Global Hurdles Facing Women in Politics
Appearing on Voice of America’s Focus radio program, Kristin Haffert, NDI’s director of women’s political participation programs, weighs in on the state of women in leadership worldwide.
June 26, 2008 | Read more »
The End of Intervention
In an op-ed in the New York Times, NDI Chairman Madeleine Albright looks ahead to the future of cross-border interventions following the United States' experience in Iraq.
June 11, 2008 | Read more »
Diplomacy and Democracy: Stability or Democratic Reform?
NDI President Kenneth Wollack participates in a panel hosted by the American Academy of Diplomacy, along with Amb. Barbara Bodine, Amb. Edwin Corr and IRI President Lorne Craner.
April 28, 2008 | Watch»
SMS As a Tool in Election Observation
Technology program manager Ian Schuler writes about text messaging in election-monitoring efforts.
Spring 2008 | Read more »
Democracy: Inevitable No more
In an opinion piece in the Los Angeles Times, NDI Chairman Madeleine Albright discusses the challenges faced by democracy in the world as of 2008.
January 8, 2008 | Read more »
Democracy Promotion: Serving U.S. Values and Interests
NDI President Kenneth Wollack writes about democracy promotion and U.S. foreign policy for the Northwestern Law Review.
2008 | Read more »
Kenneth Wollack Remarks: The W. Averell Harriman Democracy Award and Madeleine K. Albright Grant Luncheon
NDI President Kenneth Wollack speaks at the 2007 Democracy Luncheon.
October 24, 2007 | Read more »
A Bipartisan Vision of Latin America
Speaking at Georgetown University, NDI President Kenneth Wollack outlines the challenges facing Latin America.
April 10, 2007 | Read more »
Kenneth Wollack Statement: Committee on Foreign Affairs
NDI President Kenneth Wollack speaks to the Committee on Foreign Affairs about the challenges faced by Nigeria following the April 2007 national elections.
June 7, 2007 | Read more »
Advancing the Human Dimension: The Role of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
Elections Program Director Patrick Merloe speaks to the United States Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe about the role of the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights in advancing the OSCE’s Human Dimension.
May 17, 2006 | Read more »
Good vs. Evil does not Work as Foreign Policy
NDI Chairman Madeleine Albright writes about the complexities of the situations in Iraq and Iran in an opinion piece in the Financial Times.
March 23, 2006 | Read more »
The Bangladesh Elections: Promoting Democracy and Protecting Rights in a Muslim-Majority Country
Elections Program Director Patrick Merloe speaks to the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom about Bangladesh's January 2007 elections.
October 17, 2006 | Read more »
A Realistic Idealism
Writing in The Washington Post, NDI Chairman Madeleine Albright s argues for the continued importance of supporting democracy in the Middle East.
May 8, 2006 | Read more »
Kenneth Wollack Remarks: NDI's Madeleine K. Albright Grant Luncheon
Addressing guests at the 2006 Madeleine K. Albright Grant Luncheon, NDI President Kenneth Wollack speaks about the Win With Women global initiative.
May 1, 2006 | Read more »
Freedom Denied: Belarus on the Eve of the Elections
Elections Program Director Patrick Merloe speaks to the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe about the troubled contitions in Belarus leading up to its March 2006 presidential election.
March 9, 2006 | Read more »
Challenges to Democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean
NDI President Kenneth Wollack speaks before the House International Relations Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere Affairs about democratic advancements and challenges in Latin America.
March 9, 2005 | Read more »
Kenneth Wollack Statement: Committee on International Relations
In a statement to the Committee on International Relations, NDI President Kenneth Wollack discusses political reform in the Arab and Muslim world.
May 4, 2005 | Read more »
Kenneth Wollack Remarks: Win with Women Luncheon
NDI President Kenneth Wollack discusses NDI's work in women's participation worldwide speaking at the 2005 Win With Women Luncheon.
May 4, 2005 | Read more »
Remarks by Kenneth Wollack at the African Statesmen Initiative Symposium Opening Ceremony
Speaking at the African Statesman Initiative Symposium Opening Ceremony, NDI President Kenneth Wollack discusses opportunities for democratic change in Africa.
June 6, 2005 | Read more »
Patrick Merloe Remarks: Supplemental Human Dimension Meeting of the 55 OSCE Participating States, Vienna, July 15-16, 2004, Session I
Elections Program Director Patrick Merloe speaks at the July 15-16 meeting of the OSCE participating states.
July 15-16, 2004 | Read more »
Promoting Religious Freedom During the Campaign Against Terrorism
Addressing the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, Elections Program Director Patrick Merloe argues for the importance of protecting religious rights during the campaign against terrorism.
November 27, 2001 | Read more »
Patrick Merloe Remarks: OSCE Human Dimension Seminar on Election Processes
Elections Program Director Patrick Merloe speaks at the opening of the OSCE Human Dimension Seminar on Election Processes.
May 29-31, 2001 | Read more »
The Prospects for Free and Fair Elections in Peru
Speaking to the Committee on International Relations, Elections Program Director Patrick Merloe discusses the 2001 elections in Peru.
March 14, 2001 | Read more »
Zimbabwe: Democracy on the Line
Elections Program Director Patrick Merloe speaks to the Committee on International Relations about the troubled June 2000 Parliamentary elections in Zimbabwe.
June 13, 2000 | Read more »
