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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Online Event: How to Lose the Information War: A Conversation with Nina Jankowicz
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)
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)
Event by Beverly Kirk , Jeh Johnson , Wyndee Parker , Elizabeth Rindskopf Parker , and Kiron Skinner — July 1, 2020
Bandwidth Is the New Water
Commentary by Devi Nair — March 31, 2020
Why the Kremlin Targets Veterans
Commentary by Suzanne Spaulding , Devi Nair , Alexandra Huber , and Jason Gresh — November 8, 2019
Dividing America: A Conversation with Senator Michael Bennet
Event by Suzanne Spaulding and Michael Bennet — September 10, 2019
Creating an Expectation of Service: Civic Education as a National Security Imperative (Testimony)
Report by Suzanne Spaulding — July 10, 2019
Democracy and Justice in the Age of Disinformation
Event by and Suzanne Spaulding , Michael Chertoff , Sujit Raman , Judge Jeremy Fogel , Ted McConnell , Harvey Rishikof , Elizabeth Rindskopf Parker , Lara Flint , Jeffrey Minear , Mary McQueen , Seth Jones — May 1, 2019
Russia’s Attacks on Democratic Justice Systems
Report by Suzanne Spaulding , Devi Nair , and Arthur Nelson — May 1, 2019
Beyond the Ballot: How the Kremlin Works to Undermine the U.S. Justice System
Report by Suzanne Spaulding , Devi Nair , and Arthur Nelson — May 1, 2019