Andrew Friedman
@andrewbfriedman.bsky.social
director and senior fellow @csis.org, former usaid, lawyer, occasional prof: human rts & democracy, dogs, all views solely mine
Film you've watched more than six times with a gif. Hard mode: no Star Trek, Star Wars, LOTR, Marvel, Disney, or Ghibli.
Getoffmyplane
ALT: Getoffmyplane
static.klipy.com
Alan Elrod@aselrod.bsky.social · 7d agoFilm you've watched more than six times with a gif. Hard mode: no Star Trek, Star Wars, LOTR, Marvel, Disney, or Ghibli.
Most ships sailing in Northern Atlantic ocean not hit by iceberg.
Joe Patrice@joepatrice.bsky.social · last wk.Lolololololol
Let me answer this: STAY AWAY FROM MY PUPPY, NYT. www.nytimes.com/2026/06/02/w...
Is It Bad to Sleep With My Pet?
It seems as if everyone has an opinion, so we put the question to the experts.
nytimes.com
How does FIFA approach human rights? FIFA’s human rights policy has substance on paper, but pressure from civil society, accountability mechanisms from FIFA, and consequences for countries that fall short are all needed for results. Read more from CSIS Human Rights experts: https://bit.ly/4wIIH9m
Protecting Human Rights at the World Cup: Progress on Paper, Gaps on the Ground
As the 2026 World Cup draws to a close, this article examines FIFA’s evolving commitments to human rights, its record at recent tournaments, and factors that will determine whether protections for wor...
bit.ly
The State Department has just put out a tender, offering funding of up to $3 million to European organizations who want to fight against "Supra-national institutions" - presumably the EU - and governments who seek to regulate the internet and end Western Civilization. www.state.gov/drl-nofo-dev...
DRL NOFO Developing Civilizational Bonds, Democratic Resilience, and Rule of Law in Europe - United States Department of State
Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)Developing Civilizational Bonds, Democratic Resilience, and Rule of Law in EuropeBureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor, Department of StateOpportunity number: ...
state.gov
Join @csis.org experts @maxbergmann.bsky.social, @victordcha.bsky.social, and Enoh T. Ebong and host @willtodman.bsky.social on July 16 at 3pm EDT assess the geopolitical dimensions of this year's World Cup in a live episode of State of Play. www.csis.org/index%2Ephp/...
Was This World Cup More Political? | State of Play | CSIS Events
Please join CSIS experts to assess the geopolitical dimensions of this year's World Cup in a live episode of State of Play.
csis.org
Reminder: Capybara bluesky is the best bluesky
Massimo (mirror)@rainmaker1973-m.bsky.social · last mo.In 1982 a zookeeper at the Izu Shaboten Zoo in Shizuoka prefecture accidentally discovered that capybaras absolutely loved soaking in hot water, and the practice of providing them an onsen, or traditional Japanese hot springs, was born. Original post
Reasons the Supreme Court should have upheld birthright citizenship: 1) The Constitution 2) Flo Balogun
This is so important. The ATS was an exciting avenue, but it's not the only one. Prof Hamilton running through some others and imploring for legal creativity for human rights and accountability is a must read.
Just Security@justsecurity.org · last mo.The Supreme Court's opinion in Cisco v. Doe marked the end of the Alien Tort Statute. But there are other legal avenues for foreign survivors of human rights violations to seek accountability, writes @bechamilton.bsky.social.
Administrative restrictions like licensing and permitting have always been a potent tool to restrict civil society. In my June director's note, I'm wondering how much worse that can get in such a loud media and news environment pardot.csis.org/webmail/9067...
CSIS Human Rights Initiative Director's Note - June 2026
pardot.csis.org
As aid budgets shrink and the development landscape evolves, CSIS experts @andrewbfriedman.bsky.social and Hadeil Ali outline recommendations to rebalance power dynamics and build a more equitable development ecosystem. Read more: https://bit.ly/4uuqT0o
Who Should Shape the Future of Development, and How?
As aid budgets shrink and the development landscape evolves, this commentary outlines key recommendations for civil society, philanthropy, and the private sector to rebalance power dynamics and build ...
csis.org
Please join us @csis.org this morning for our annual Ocean Security and Human Rights Forum - we will touch on ocean governance, #IUUFishing, and human rights at sea with a great line up of speakers - cohosted by myself and @andrewbfriedman.bsky.social www.csis.org/events/ocean...
Ocean Security and Human Rights Forum | CSIS Events
Join the CSIS Stephenson Ocean Security Project and Human Rights Initiative for the Ocean Security and Human Rights Forum on Tuesday, June 9, 2026.
csis.org
"The intense personalization of diplomacy and aid relations with countries in transition has long caught donor countries unaware when their partners prove fallible," write Andrew Friedman (@andrewbfriedman.bsky.social) and Tara L. Thwing. Lessons from #Zambia #RightsCon:
RightsCon Cancellation and International Democracy Promotion
The once-lauded Zambian president's nixing of a major digital rights conference shows the risks of lionizing leaders without a backup plan.
justsecurity.org
Incredibly important piece on what it takes to make lasting, sustainable, democratic reforms and not further weaken the rule of law.
Just Security@justsecurity.org · 2mo ago#Poland is learning how difficult it is to rebuild democratic institutions and norms after illiberal rule. Mietek Boduszyński and @laurathornton.bsky.social heard their lessons firsthand. The most crucial? Start planning now: www.justsecurity.org/139687/ameri... #democracy #RuleOfLaw
“.. American officials did not learn of the outbreak until Thursday, nine days after the World Health Organization did, and almost a month after the first person died.” @nytimes.com www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/h...
The American Heart Association just posted this and tbh, I LOLed.
The road back to democracy from authoritarianism is a difficult one, filled with fits and starts that thwart even the best attempts. Hungary holds some lessons for others trying to walk that path, write CSIS experts. https://www.csis.org/analysis/hungary-after-orban-hard-road-back-democracy
Hungary After Orbán: The Hard Road Back to Democracy
The road back to democracy from authoritarianism is a difficult one, filled with fits and starts that thwart even the best attempts; Hungary holds some lessons for others trying to walk that path back...
csis.org
Can the U.S. enable post-conflict stability in nations such as Iran, Venezuela, and Cuba? Experts from the CSIS Global Development Department offer analysis from initial planning to post-conflict recovery. Read: https://www.csis.org/analysis/can-united-states-enable-post-conflict-stability
Can the United States Enable Post-Conflict Stability?
When the United States takes military action, how can it help countries go from that military action to prosperity, democracy, and stability?
csis.org
The war in Iran has left the country and its citizens in a state of limbo. What groups have been empowered and disempowered? We turned to @humanrights.csis.org expert @andrewbfriedman.bsky.social for answers.
Someone needs to check on whoever runs the Yahoo Sports app.
I don’t know who needs to hear Jesse Jackson leading the kids on Sesame Street in this beautiful call-and-response reminding them that every child is somebody, but here it is
Local civil society orgs are the front line in not only combatting human rights violations, but exposing them for the world to see. I wrote about how that looks with surveillance and the #digitalsilkroad. www.csis.org/analysis/how...
How Civil Society Exposes the Human Rights Risks of the Digital Silk Road
Emboldened authoritarian actors are no longer content to repress human rights in their own countries, but feel confident in their ability to share their tactics and technology across borders. Local ci...
csis.org
Great piece by @dwj88.bsky.social about the need for greater solidarity and cross learning between those working for stronger democracy and human rights in the U.S. and abroad. Siloes and egos help no one. democracywithoutexception.substack.com/p/us-activis...
US Activists Need More Friends Abroad
The Importance of International Exchange to Protecting Democracy
democracywithoutexception.substack.com
More than 100,000 civilians have been killed in wars over the past 18 months. Brutal, genocidal war is returning to the world. Turns out the liberal world order wasn't so terrible.
International law meant to limit effects of war at breaking point, study finds
Report covering 23 conflicts over last 18 months concludes more than 100,000 civilians have been killed as war crimes rage out of control
theguardian.com
After deep setbacks to #HumanRights, #democracy and #governance in 2025, including in related funding, defending against challenges in 2026 and beyond will require creativity and broad coalition-building. From @andrewbfriedman.bsky.social and @kimbrodyhart.bsky.social:
Who Will Stand Up for Human Rights in 2026 – and How?
The deterioration in human rights in 2025 heightens the risks for defenders going forward, with fewer resources to combat the threats.
justsecurity.org
It's not “about esoteric issues of international law...It is about real people, real stories and a real group of human beings – the Rohingya of Myanmar. They have been targeted for destruction." Great scene setter for today's Myanmar genocide arguments at the ICJ. theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
‘Big step forward’: Myanmar military faces Rohingya genocide case at UN court
Survivors of violence hope proceedings will bring justice a step closer and set a precedent for future genocide allegations
theguardian.com
