Joerg Forbrig
@joergforbrig.bsky.social
Managing Director, Transatlantic Trusts, German Marshall Fund of the United States. All things Central and Eastern Europe.
Will Europe act on the dismantling of Ukraine's anti-corruption institutions? Important piece by my GMF colleague Josh Rudolph euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...
Europe must call Zelensky’s bluff on new anti-corruption law
Tell Kyiv it won’t get any money or EU accession until president Volodymr Zelensky's new anti-corruption law is rescinded, writes Josh Rudolph of the German Marshall Fund.
euobserver.com
July 23, 2025 at 8:16 AM
Will Europe act on the dismantling of Ukraine's anti-corruption institutions? Important piece by my GMF colleague Josh Rudolph euobserver.com/eu-and-the-w...
Crisp and clear take on stakes that could not be higher in #Poland's presidential elections. By Maria Skóra (@mariaskora.bsky.social).
verfassungsblog.de/polands-pola...
verfassungsblog.de/polands-pola...
Poland’s Polarised Presidency
verfassungsblog.de
May 23, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Crisp and clear take on stakes that could not be higher in #Poland's presidential elections. By Maria Skóra (@mariaskora.bsky.social).
verfassungsblog.de/polands-pola...
verfassungsblog.de/polands-pola...
Great overview of political dynamics in #Hungary one year ahead of key parliamentary elections. By my GMF (@gmfus.bsky.social) colleague Zsuzsanna Vegh (@veghzsuzsanna.bsky.social) for GSSC (@gssc-lt.bsky.social).
www.gssc.lt/en/publicati...
www.gssc.lt/en/publicati...
Will Fidesz Stop Tisza’s Tide? The year ahead Hungary’s 2026 parliamentary election | Geopolitics and Security Studies Center, GSSC (previously known as Eastern Europe Studies Centre, EESC)
www.gssc.lt
May 23, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Great overview of political dynamics in #Hungary one year ahead of key parliamentary elections. By my GMF (@gmfus.bsky.social) colleague Zsuzsanna Vegh (@veghzsuzsanna.bsky.social) for GSSC (@gssc-lt.bsky.social).
www.gssc.lt/en/publicati...
www.gssc.lt/en/publicati...
How to support Ukraine’s 1.2 million+ war veterans? Join GMF for a deep dive into this key issue of Ukrainian stability and recovery. With ReThink.CEE Fellow Irina Dobrohorska, Mariia Kudelia (Veteran Hub), Jonathan Röders (Corioli Institute), and Iryna Khomiak (GMF). www.gmfus.org/event/reinte...
Reintegration of Ukraine’s Veterans: Charting a Path Forward
Ukraine’s armed forces have expanded significantly since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, growing to over 800,000 active-duty soldiers and 1 million reservists. As a result, Ukraine now faces the...
www.gmfus.org
April 8, 2025 at 7:00 AM
How to support Ukraine’s 1.2 million+ war veterans? Join GMF for a deep dive into this key issue of Ukrainian stability and recovery. With ReThink.CEE Fellow Irina Dobrohorska, Mariia Kudelia (Veteran Hub), Jonathan Röders (Corioli Institute), and Iryna Khomiak (GMF). www.gmfus.org/event/reinte...
Reposted by Joerg Forbrig
🇷🇸 The massive anti-government protests in Serbia following a deadly railway collapse last November are unprecedented in Serbian history.
🔗 GMF ReThink.CEE Fellow Aleksandar Ivković analyses what the protests mean for Serbian politics:
🔗 GMF ReThink.CEE Fellow Aleksandar Ivković analyses what the protests mean for Serbian politics:
Protests Leave Serbia’s Politics Finely Balanced
Serbia has witnessed its fair share of anti-government protests over the past decade, fueled by growing dissatisfaction with the corruption and authoritarianism of President Aleksandar Vučić’s…
www.gmfus.org
April 3, 2025 at 6:01 PM
🇷🇸 The massive anti-government protests in Serbia following a deadly railway collapse last November are unprecedented in Serbian history.
🔗 GMF ReThink.CEE Fellow Aleksandar Ivković analyses what the protests mean for Serbian politics:
🔗 GMF ReThink.CEE Fellow Aleksandar Ivković analyses what the protests mean for Serbian politics:
Join us for this event! The theme could not be timelier, and the cast of experts could not be better.
🗓 March 25 | ⏰ 16.30 CET |📍Online
🔍 What is the role of the EU in safeguarding democratic integrity against foreign information manipulation and interference?
🗣️ Join Nad'a Kovalcikova (EUISS), Vassilis Ntousas & Péter Krekó @gmfus.bsky.social
👉Register: www.authlib.eu/combating-fi...
🔍 What is the role of the EU in safeguarding democratic integrity against foreign information manipulation and interference?
🗣️ Join Nad'a Kovalcikova (EUISS), Vassilis Ntousas & Péter Krekó @gmfus.bsky.social
👉Register: www.authlib.eu/combating-fi...
Combating Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference in the Digital Age: The Role of the EU
🚨 How can the EU fight foreign information manipulation and interference in the digital age? Join our discussion! 🗓 March 25 ⏰16.30 CET
www.authlib.eu
March 20, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Join us for this event! The theme could not be timelier, and the cast of experts could not be better.
Keep an eye out on #Serbia today where months-long protests against the Vucic government are coming to a head. Hopefully without violence. www.danas.rs/vesti/politi...
UŽIVO Danas veliki protest, napeta atmosfera u Beogradu, raspoređena Žandarmerija u centru (FOTO/VIDEO)
Studenti i građani od ranog jutra pristižu u Beograd, na protest na koji su pozvali studenti "15 za 15" žrtava nadstrešnice u Novom Sadu, hodaju peške, dok ih vozači pozdravljaju trubljenjem, čuju se ...
www.danas.rs
March 15, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Keep an eye out on #Serbia today where months-long protests against the Vucic government are coming to a head. Hopefully without violence. www.danas.rs/vesti/politi...
Excellent, if depressing, piece on the end of US democracy aid and on possible responses by European funders. Thanks, Sarah Repucci and @zecsaky.bsky.social!
europeandemocracyhub.epd.eu/filling-the-...
europeandemocracyhub.epd.eu/filling-the-...
Filling the USAID Gap: How Europe Can Step Up to Support Democracy - European Democracy Hub
Since President Trump declared a freeze on federal assistance, implementer organisations and local recipients have been scrambling.
europeandemocracyhub.epd.eu
March 15, 2025 at 8:20 AM
Excellent, if depressing, piece on the end of US democracy aid and on possible responses by European funders. Thanks, Sarah Repucci and @zecsaky.bsky.social!
europeandemocracyhub.epd.eu/filling-the-...
europeandemocracyhub.epd.eu/filling-the-...
Reposted by Joerg Forbrig
📢Working Paper Alert!
In the age of spin dictatorships, propaganda isn’t just a tool of autocrats—it’s seeping into democracies, too.
Péter Krekó (Political Capital, @gmfus.bsky.social) explores how modern regimes use social media to manipulate public opinion.
www.authlib.eu/peter-kreko-...
In the age of spin dictatorships, propaganda isn’t just a tool of autocrats—it’s seeping into democracies, too.
Péter Krekó (Political Capital, @gmfus.bsky.social) explores how modern regimes use social media to manipulate public opinion.
www.authlib.eu/peter-kreko-...
Péter Krekó - Brainwashing of the People, by the People, with the People
In this AUTHLIB Working Paper, Péter Krekó explores the evolution of mass persuasion and disinformation in both democratic and autocratic contexts.
www.authlib.eu
February 28, 2025 at 1:03 PM
📢Working Paper Alert!
In the age of spin dictatorships, propaganda isn’t just a tool of autocrats—it’s seeping into democracies, too.
Péter Krekó (Political Capital, @gmfus.bsky.social) explores how modern regimes use social media to manipulate public opinion.
www.authlib.eu/peter-kreko-...
In the age of spin dictatorships, propaganda isn’t just a tool of autocrats—it’s seeping into democracies, too.
Péter Krekó (Political Capital, @gmfus.bsky.social) explores how modern regimes use social media to manipulate public opinion.
www.authlib.eu/peter-kreko-...
Reposted by Joerg Forbrig
💡 What are the costs & benefits of China expanding its influence in the Western Balkans via its Digital Silk Road?
🎙️ Join GMF #ReThinkCEE fellow Arta Haxhixhemajli, Ivana Karásková (AMO), Stefan Vladisavljev (BFPE) & Gordana Delic @gmfus.bsky.social on Mar 5, 3pm CET!
www.gmfus.org/event/digita...
🎙️ Join GMF #ReThinkCEE fellow Arta Haxhixhemajli, Ivana Karásková (AMO), Stefan Vladisavljev (BFPE) & Gordana Delic @gmfus.bsky.social on Mar 5, 3pm CET!
www.gmfus.org/event/digita...
Digital Crossroads: China’s Influence in the Western Balkans
China is expanding its global influence in the Western Balkans through the Digital Silk Road (DSR), a key element of the Belt and Road Initiative it introduced in 2015. The DSR aims to enhance digital...
www.gmfus.org
February 28, 2025 at 11:54 AM
💡 What are the costs & benefits of China expanding its influence in the Western Balkans via its Digital Silk Road?
🎙️ Join GMF #ReThinkCEE fellow Arta Haxhixhemajli, Ivana Karásková (AMO), Stefan Vladisavljev (BFPE) & Gordana Delic @gmfus.bsky.social on Mar 5, 3pm CET!
www.gmfus.org/event/digita...
🎙️ Join GMF #ReThinkCEE fellow Arta Haxhixhemajli, Ivana Karásková (AMO), Stefan Vladisavljev (BFPE) & Gordana Delic @gmfus.bsky.social on Mar 5, 3pm CET!
www.gmfus.org/event/digita...
Reposted by Joerg Forbrig
"The term DEI, frequently invoked by the Trump administration, functions as a smoke screen"
read @adamserwer.bsky.social on the real goals of the 'anti-DEI' rhetoric
www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
read @adamserwer.bsky.social on the real goals of the 'anti-DEI' rhetoric
www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
The Great Resegregation
The Trump administration’s attacks on DEI are aimed at reversing the civil-rights movement.
www.theatlantic.com
February 22, 2025 at 10:48 PM
"The term DEI, frequently invoked by the Trump administration, functions as a smoke screen"
read @adamserwer.bsky.social on the real goals of the 'anti-DEI' rhetoric
www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
read @adamserwer.bsky.social on the real goals of the 'anti-DEI' rhetoric
www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
Reposted by Joerg Forbrig
People are getting up off the mat.
People have gathered outside USAID HQ for press event with Democratic Congressmen Beyer, Raskin, Connolly and Olzewski and Senator Van Hollen where they're addressing the building's mysterious shutdown today in the midst of the Trump admin dismantling the agency.
(Photos shared with me)
(Photos shared with me)
February 3, 2025 at 6:21 PM
People are getting up off the mat.
Good snapshot of new Russian exiles by @nickbouchet.bsky.social of @gmfus.bsky.social and Anastasia Burakova of Ковчег/Ark www.gmfus.org/news/russias...
Russia’s Recent Emigrants: Mobility and Engagement
www.gmfus.org
February 3, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Good snapshot of new Russian exiles by @nickbouchet.bsky.social of @gmfus.bsky.social and Anastasia Burakova of Ковчег/Ark www.gmfus.org/news/russias...
Reposted by Joerg Forbrig
This NYT piece describes the devastation being wrought in the global health sector by the foreign assistance freeze. Let me say a few words about what this looks like in the sector I work in, often called democracy and governance (DRG). 🧵
Health Programs Shutter Around the World After Trump Pauses Foreign Aid
Lifesaving treatment and prevention programs for tuberculosis, malaria, H.I.V. and other diseases cannot access funds to continue work.
www.nytimes.com
February 1, 2025 at 7:16 PM
This NYT piece describes the devastation being wrought in the global health sector by the foreign assistance freeze. Let me say a few words about what this looks like in the sector I work in, often called democracy and governance (DRG). 🧵
What a despicable thing to say about an institution that, while imperfect, has made a difference to the lives of hundreds of million people.
www.politico.com/news/2025/02...
www.politico.com/news/2025/02...
Musk on USAID: ‘Time for it to die’
His statement comes as signs increasingly point to the Trump administration folding the development aid agency into the State Department.
www.politico.com
February 3, 2025 at 2:03 PM
What a despicable thing to say about an institution that, while imperfect, has made a difference to the lives of hundreds of million people.
www.politico.com/news/2025/02...
www.politico.com/news/2025/02...
Reposted by Joerg Forbrig
1/UPDATES to this story include: “Late Sunday, a growing number of USAID employees began telling each other in chat groups that they had lost access to their official emails ... The loss of access added to worries that even more USAID staff will be put on leave.” www.politico.com/news/2025/02...
Musk on USAID: ‘Time for it to die’
His statement comes as signs increasingly point to the Trump administration folding the development aid agency into the State Department.
www.politico.com
February 3, 2025 at 3:12 AM
1/UPDATES to this story include: “Late Sunday, a growing number of USAID employees began telling each other in chat groups that they had lost access to their official emails ... The loss of access added to worries that even more USAID staff will be put on leave.” www.politico.com/news/2025/02...
Reposted by Joerg Forbrig
1/My colleagues & I have been covering Trump & Musk’s targeting of USAID from the start. We’ve heard rumblings of an executive order shifting a much-shrunken version of USAID under State. Dem lawmakers are furious, saying such a move is illegal w/out Congress’ consent. My guess is Trump team is …
February 2, 2025 at 4:18 PM
1/My colleagues & I have been covering Trump & Musk’s targeting of USAID from the start. We’ve heard rumblings of an executive order shifting a much-shrunken version of USAID under State. Dem lawmakers are furious, saying such a move is illegal w/out Congress’ consent. My guess is Trump team is …
This suspension of US foreign aid, and the likely termination of much of it, is a sea change. Not least for democracy and human rights that have been central to development assistance globally.
www.justsecurity.org/106876/us-fo...
www.justsecurity.org/106876/us-fo...
Stop-Work Order on US Foreign Aid Puts China First and America Last
President Trump and Secretary of State Rubio's 90-day halt endangers health, economic and other programs, leaving gaps for China to fill.
www.justsecurity.org
January 28, 2025 at 12:54 PM
This suspension of US foreign aid, and the likely termination of much of it, is a sea change. Not least for democracy and human rights that have been central to development assistance globally.
www.justsecurity.org/106876/us-fo...
www.justsecurity.org/106876/us-fo...
Reposted by Joerg Forbrig
I’m not going to elaborate a lot here, but this is a global crisis for human rights work
In a lot of places, NGO that work towards human rights, public health and democracy are kept standing by USA's support. This is why Russia, Mali and Uganda, for example, recently passed such drastic laws against foreign financed NGO. The USA just gifted autocrats the neutering of their opposition.
January 25, 2025 at 12:06 PM
I’m not going to elaborate a lot here, but this is a global crisis for human rights work
How can exiled democrats help bring about change in their home countries? What challenges do they face? What kind of support do they need?
Deep dive into two decades of Belarusian experiences by Nathaniel Myers for the @gmfus.bsky.social.
www.gmfus.org/news/strateg...
Deep dive into two decades of Belarusian experiences by Nathaniel Myers for the @gmfus.bsky.social.
www.gmfus.org/news/strateg...
The Strategic Potential of Democratic Exiles: Belarusian Experiences
www.gmfus.org
January 24, 2025 at 5:33 PM
How can exiled democrats help bring about change in their home countries? What challenges do they face? What kind of support do they need?
Deep dive into two decades of Belarusian experiences by Nathaniel Myers for the @gmfus.bsky.social.
www.gmfus.org/news/strateg...
Deep dive into two decades of Belarusian experiences by Nathaniel Myers for the @gmfus.bsky.social.
www.gmfus.org/news/strateg...
Reposted by Joerg Forbrig
Agree, the electoral cycle in Germany to worry about is 2029, after four years in which the AfD is the only opposition on the right.
January 24, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Agree, the electoral cycle in Germany to worry about is 2029, after four years in which the AfD is the only opposition on the right.
Reposted by Joerg Forbrig
Rubio und Trump stellen der globalen Nachkriegsordnung den Totenschein aus. Was nun? Ein ehrlicher Blick in den Spiegel könnte ein Anfang sein.
Der erste Versuch in der Geoeconomics-Kolumne im morgigen Handelsblatt.
Der erste Versuch in der Geoeconomics-Kolumne im morgigen Handelsblatt.
January 22, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Rubio und Trump stellen der globalen Nachkriegsordnung den Totenschein aus. Was nun? Ein ehrlicher Blick in den Spiegel könnte ein Anfang sein.
Der erste Versuch in der Geoeconomics-Kolumne im morgigen Handelsblatt.
Der erste Versuch in der Geoeconomics-Kolumne im morgigen Handelsblatt.
Good news from Belarus, however calculated by Lukashenka's regime it may be ahead of another election farce and in an attempt to re-establish some relations with the West. www.bbc.com/news/article...
Jailed Belarus opposition figure Babaryko seen for first time in months
Viktor Babaryko was arrested in 2020 after challenging authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko at the polls.
www.bbc.com
January 9, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Good news from Belarus, however calculated by Lukashenka's regime it may be ahead of another election farce and in an attempt to re-establish some relations with the West. www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reposted by Joerg Forbrig
Ich sehe in einer übermäßigen Fixierung auf böse Mächte von außen (Musk, Putin usw)., die auf Politik und Wahlen hierzulande Einfluß zu nehmen versuchen, eine Gefahr.
December 22, 2024 at 9:04 AM
Ich sehe in einer übermäßigen Fixierung auf böse Mächte von außen (Musk, Putin usw)., die auf Politik und Wahlen hierzulande Einfluß zu nehmen versuchen, eine Gefahr.