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.

Meet Our Experts

Meet our network of experts, staff, and non-resident affiliates.

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

Civics for Adults: A Guide for Civics Content Providers

Reinvigorating civics has become a national and economic security imperative. The urgency requires reaching not just K-12 students but also adults. This guide is for individuals looking to engage in civics conversations and activities with adults.

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

Understanding Insurrection and Sedition

Critical Questions by Suzanne Spaulding , Devi Nair , and Joseph Federici — January 29, 2021

See all analysis by Defending Democratic Institutions

Featured

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

The CSIS hosted a discussion with expert panelists on the future of zero trust and how the federal government can better implement cybersecurity policies.

June 16, 2022

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Recent Events

Video On Demand

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

June 16, 2022 • 2:30 – 3:45 pm EDT

Video On Demand

‘Civics at Work’ Launch Event

May 4, 2022 • 2:00 – 3:30 pm EDT

Video On Demand

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

April 14, 2021 • 1:00 – 2:00 pm EDT

Video On Demand

Lessons Learned from a Cyberattack: SolarWinds Conversation (Part 2 of 2)

February 26, 2021 • 12:00 – 1:00 pm EST

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Online Event: Civics as a National Security Imperative: The Role of Technology

This event will feature a fireside chat between Brad Smith, President of Microsoft, and Suzanne Spaulding, CSIS Director of the Defending Democratic Institutions Project.

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

As more details on the January 6 Capitol riots emerge, it is essential that we quickly learn the right lessons with regard to domestic federal force deployments.

Commentary by Suzanne Spaulding and Devi Nair — January 12, 2021

Online Event: Civics as a National Security Imperative: A Conversation with Senior Military Officers

As part of its Strategic Dialogue on Civic Education as a National Security Imperative, CSIS invites you to a conversation highlighting the importance of civic education from the perspective of senior military leaders.

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

How can the laws, policies, processes, historical precedents, and institutional norms guiding federal force roles be tested during a presidential election and transition?

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

How can the authorities, policies, processes, historical precedents, and institutional norms guiding federal force roles be tested during a presidential election and transition?

Commentary by Suzanne Spaulding , Devi Nair , and Melissa Dalton — October 1, 2020

Online Event: Domestic Terrorism and the U.S. Presidential Election

Please join the CSIS Transnational Threats Project (TNT) and Defending Democratic Institutions Project for a discussion on the domestic terrorism threat in the United States in the context of the 2020 presidential election.

Event by Seth G. Jones , Suzanne Spaulding , and Brian Michael Jenkins — September 30, 2020

Online Event: Combatting Malign Influence in 2020

CSIS invites you to a conversation with Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen on the threat of foreign malign influence operations.

Event by Suzanne Spaulding and Jeffrey A. Rosen — August 26, 2020

Online Event: How to Lose the Information War: A Conversation with Nina Jankowicz

Please join us on Tuesday, July 14th for a discussion with Nina Jankowicz on her new book, How to Lose the Information War.

Event by Suzanne Spaulding and Nina Jankowicz — July 14, 2020

Online Event: Civics as a National Security Imperative: Addressing Racial Injustice (Part 2 of 2)

Please join us on July 2nd (4:00-5:15pm EST) the second part of this two-part conversation: "The Role of Civics in Addressing Racial Injustice."

Event by Suzanne Spaulding , Danielle Allen , Shawn Healy , Amber Coleman-Mortley , and Andrew Wilkes — July 2, 2020

Online Event: Civics as a National Security Imperative: Addressing Racial Injustice (Part 1 of 2)

Please join us on July 1st (4:00-5:15pm EST) the first part of this two-part conversation: "Racial Injustice as a National Security Threat."

Event by Beverly Kirk , Jeh Johnson , Wyndee Parker , Elizabeth Rindskopf Parker , and Kiron Skinner — July 1, 2020

Defending Democratic Institutions

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

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