Democratization Policy Council

What does American action in Venezuela mean for democracy abroad? In the first hour of "Connections with Evan Dawson" on 1/8/26, a democratization policy expert discusses potential repercussions of the Trump administration's attempts to strong-arm other nations.

Were the Trump administration’s actions in Venezuela the first chance to see what operationalization of the new US National Security Strategy looks like? Senior Associate @valeryperry.bsky.social talked about this with WXXI’s Evan Dawson, exploring the downsides of a “sphere of influence” approach.

The latest from @dpcglobal.bsky.social colleague @valeryperry.bsky.social, on today's Putin-Trump meeting

The EU's fence-sitting as Serbia's Vučić steps up violent state repression The EU choosing “stability” in the current moment means de facto endorsement of violent repression in Serbia. The EU’s timid messaging has in fact encouraged Serbian president Aleksandar Vučić to step...

"Vučić’s increasingly brutal repression of peaceful protests has put the EU’s policy at an inflection point..." Latest by @tobyvogel.bsky.social and @kurtbassuener.bsky.social for @euobserver.com
www.euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...

bsky.app/profile/dpcg...

3/ But voters in Canada and Australia (where citizens are obliged to vote) decided to shun division for solidarity in an unsettled world.

2/ It remains to be seen how coordinated these democracies will be as they face democratic challenge from without and within.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wins a second 3-year term Anthony Albanese has claimed victory as the first Australian prime minister to win a second consecutive term in 21 years.

1/ Another sign that voters in the democracies are repelled by what they see in the US under Trump. Democratic solidarity is not hubbed in Washington anymore. apnews.com/article/aust...

17/ Unless and until Americans brake and reverse his agenda, Europe+ has to make its own arrangements, wrenching though that may be. Canada leads the way.

Most Americans oppose Trump 3rd term, taking control of Greenland and Canada: POLL The poll finds that Americans widely oppose the U.S. trying to take control of Canada and Greenland, sending U.S. citizens to foreign prisons and a third Trump term.

16/ As Foreign Minister Joly underscored, the people with the power to stop Trump are Americans. After his first 100 days, it seems increasingly clear that they are recognizing the danger as well, not only to their neighbors, but themselves and their rights. abcnews.go.com/Politics/ame...

Greenland PM says island not a piece of property after Trump threats Jens-Frederick Nielsen says the island must "stand together" with Denmark during a highly symbolic visit to Copenhagen.

15/ The opportunity for Brussels, London, Paris, Berlin and others to rally to the challenge is clear. At the moment those with the most to lose from authoritarianism - Canadians and Greenlanders, along with Ukrainians - have demonstrated the strongest clarity of vision. www.bbc.com/news/article...

14/ The call for solidarity from Canadians is one that Europe+ - the remaining democratic world - must heed. This will demand creativity, popular solidarity within and among democracies, and crucially leadership.

13/ Countries that recognize the importance of democratic values for not only prosperity and rights, but individual dignity, would do well to recognize the need for far greater coordinated action to withstand the multifaceted threats to liberal movements and the kleptocracy that comes with them.

12/ Europe+ should take this opportunity to maintain and strengthen the values that have enabled economic and social development for decades, in the face of a tide of self-dealing authoritarianism worldwide. www.democratizationpolicy.org/the-twilight...

NATO chief calls for more defense spending from Europe and Canada President Trump has long been a critic of NATO and believes Europe does not contribute enough to its own defense. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte agrees, and says 'that is going to happen.'

11/ Europe+ needs now to demonstrate a similar recognition of this changed world. The will to straddle and hedge remains strong, as NATO SG Mark Rutte demonstrates. This is unequal to the moment. www.npr.org/2025/04/28/n...

10/ This can provide a boost to Europe+ and hopefully provide momentum for resistance against the illiberal spasm that is doing so much harm to so many.

9/ Canada has demonstrated it's possible to resist and adapt to changing circumstances while maintaining the values that have consistently made it a global magnet.

As the World Recoils, Canada Votes in the Shadow of a Rogue President - Policy Magazine By Jeremy Kinsman

8/ Voters now reinforced her conclusion. Nowhere in the democratic world has the breach - driven by Trump - elicited so clear a response. This includes redoubled commitment to Canada's ties to democracies in Europe, the Pacific, the Western hemisphere, & Africa. www.policymagazine.ca/as-the-world...

Canadian Resisters on Substack Melanie Jolie is saying how the rest of the world feels. It’s over, American influence is dying right before our eyes.

7/ The tectonic ruction of Trump's disruption-by-design has generated adjustment throughout the democratic world, but Canada's has been deepest, most resolute, and profound. Foreign Minister @melaniejolycan.bsky.social demonstrated this three weeks ago at a NATO meeting.
substack.com/@canadianres...

6/ ...his direct confrontation with steadfast allies, partners, and the international system which the US hitherto championed.

5/ This electoral result has wider implications, being the starkest popular reaction thus far in the democratic world to Trump's performative cruelty and assault on democratic norms at home, together with...

4/ Trump's levying tariffs and open advocacy of annexing Canada as "the 51st state" were decisive for Canadian voters, who deemed Carney, former Bank of Canada and Bank of England Governor, the safer pair of hands, given the nature of the threat to the country's economy and independence.

Poll Tracker If an election were held today, who would win? The CBC News Poll Tracker is your guide to following the polls. Get the latest numbers and analysis on where the political parties stand from Éric Grenie...

3/ Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberal Party will return to power for a fourth straight term. This despite having been down double digits in polls just months ago against the opposition Conservatives, led by challenger Pierre Poilievre. newsinteractives.cbc.ca/elections/po...

2/ They have centered democratic values as part of their national self-respect; Europe & others need to follow their lead in this new global reality.

1/ Canadians have demonstrated their commitment to sovereignty & dignity, but also the profound impact of Trump’s policy & rhetoric. www.democratizationpolicy.org/canadians-le...

My latest blog post for @dpcglobal.bsky.social - The Fear, Patronage, and Inat Politics of Trump 2.0
www.democratizationpolicy.org/the-fear-pat...

3/ The question of whether an order should be given to act – be it to support local authorities, or to undertake an arrest directly (in coordination with the High Representative) – is a policy judgement call. But it is far from legally precluded by the UN or EU mandates.

2/ The Council of the EU's own initial authorization for the mission from November 2004 also makes clear that EUFOR has wide latitude to act to maintain peace and security.

Alleged EU statements reported by Bosnian media that EUFOR cannot conduct arrests seem based on the EU's political narrowing of its Dayton Annex 1A & 2 mandate. The renewal by the UNSC is also clear - EUFOR has the authority to take "all necessary measures" to ensure a safe and secure environment...

6/ "...and autocratic political class that has stymied reform for a generation."
DPC's @tobyvogel.bsky.social on that point
bsky.app/profile/toby...

5/ "One might think that the EU would see this as an opportunity to strengthen the institutional and legislative mechanisms needed to prepare these countries for membership. Instead, European leaders have shown that they are fully prepared to do business with the same illiberal..."