Defending Democratic Institutions
Countering Adversary Attacks on Fundamental Institutions of Democracy
This project seeks to counter foreign and domestic adversaries in their efforts to disrupt democracy and cultivate a public distrust of democratic institutions via cyber and disinformation operations. A key focus on this initiative is on understanding and countering adversary attacks on America’s justice system, to include judges, prosecutors, and the rule of law. In addition, this initiative will focus on building national resilience against adversary operations aimed at undermining public trust through the reinvigoration of civic education as a national security imperative.
Contact Information
- Devi Nair
- Associate Director and Associate Fellow, International Security Program
- 202-775-3257
- dnair@csis.org
Media Queries
- H. Andrew Schwartz
- Chief Communications Officer
- 202.775.3242
- aschwartz@csis.org
- Paige Montfort
- Media Relations Manager, External Relations
- 202.775.3173
- pmontfort@csis.org
Latest Analysis

Photo: Itza/Adobe Stock
The Risks Facing Democracy
Read Gerald F. Seib's recent speech delivered on the state of democracy at the 2023 Chuck Hagel Forum in Global Leadership.
Commentary by Gerald F. Seib — April 11, 2023

Civics for Adults: A Guide for Civics Content Providers
Report — September 15, 2022

Early Lessons for Democracies
Commentary by Suzanne Spaulding — March 8, 2022

Civics at Work: Constitution Day Training for Federal Employees
Critical Questions by Suzanne Spaulding and Devi Nair — September 9, 2021
Recent Events

'Never Trust, Always Verify': Federal Migration to ZTA and Endpoint Security

‘Civics at Work’ Launch Event

Civics as a National Security Imperative: A Conversation with U.S. Supreme Court Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Neil M. Gorsuch

Lessons Learned from a Cyberattack: SolarWinds Conversation (Part 2 of 2)
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Lessons Learned from a Cyberattack: A Conversation with SolarWinds (Part 1 of 2)
Event by Suzanne Spaulding and Sudhakar Ramakrishna — February 22, 2021
Understanding Insurrection and Sedition
Critical Questions by Suzanne Spaulding , Devi Nair , and Joseph Federici — January 29, 2021
Restore Trust in National Security Institutions
Critical Questions by Suzanne Spaulding and Devi Nair — January 22, 2021
Online Event: Civics as a National Security Imperative: The Role of Technology
Event by Suzanne Spaulding , Brad Smith , Lauren Bean Buitta , Shawn Healy , Nina Jankowicz , and Camille Stewart — January 19, 2021
Institutional Integrity: Learning the Right Lessons from the Capitol Siege
Commentary by Suzanne Spaulding and Devi Nair — January 12, 2021
Online Event: Civics as a National Security Imperative: A Conversation with Senior Military Officers
Event by Suzanne Spaulding , John J. Hamre , General (ret.) Carter Ham , Admiral (ret.) William McRaven , and General (ret.) Lori Robinson — December 14, 2020
Buttressing Institutional Integrity in an Election Year
Brief by Devi Nair , Suzanne Spaulding , and Melissa Dalton — October 27, 2020
Reinforcing Institutional Integrity in an Election Year: The Role of U.S. Federal Forces
Commentary by Suzanne Spaulding , Devi Nair , and Melissa Dalton — October 1, 2020
Online Event: Domestic Terrorism and the U.S. Presidential Election
Event by Seth G. Jones , Suzanne Spaulding , and Brian Michael Jenkins — September 30, 2020
Online Event: Combatting Malign Influence in 2020
Event by Suzanne Spaulding and Jeffrey A. Rosen — August 26, 2020