Civil Society

The world is entering a new era characterized by reduced U.S. foreign aid across all sectors. CSIS scholars are at the forefront of analysis on the impacts of civil society organizations and foreign aid distribution around the world.

Photo: Alberto Pizzoli/AFP/Getty Images

Photo: Alberto Pizzoli/AFP/Getty Images

The Vatican Just Outmaneuvered Washington on AI

The Vatican’s AI intervention exposes Washington’s blind spot: Policymakers are debating hypothetical doomsday scenarios while missing the real crises already reshaping human dignity, work, truth, and power. Washington must move beyond abstract AGI fears and build a civil society dialogue on human dignity, supply chains, truth, and statecraft.

Commentary by Benjamin Jensen — May 26, 2026

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Noam Unger

Noam Unger

Vice President, Global Development Department, Director, Sustainable Development and Resilience Initiative and Senior Fellow, Project on Prosperity and Development
Hadeil Ali

Hadeil Ali

Chief of Staff, Global Development Department
Romina Bandura

Romina Bandura

Senior Fellow, Project on Prosperity and Development
Caitlin Welsh

Caitlin Welsh

Director, Global Food and Water Security Program

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The Vatican Just Outmaneuvered Washington on AI

The Vatican’s AI intervention exposes Washington’s blind spot: Policymakers are debating hypothetical doomsday scenarios while missing the real crises already reshaping human dignity, work, truth, and power. Washington must move beyond abstract AGI fears and build a civil society dialogue on human dignity, supply chains, truth, and statecraft.

Commentary by Benjamin Jensen — May 26, 2026

How to Lose an Information War in 10 Days

The United States cannot win modern wars on the battlefield alone. To counter adversaries’ information operations, Washington needs faster public diplomacy, stronger information coordination, and credible messaging before disinformation spreads.

Commentary by Benjamin Jensen, Nico Vacca, and Jose M. Macias III — May 5, 2026

Hungary After Orbán: The Hard Road Back to Democracy

The road back to democracy from authoritarianism is a difficult one, filled with fits and starts that thwart even the best attempts; Hungary holds some lessons for others trying to walk that path back to democracy.

Commentary by Andrew Friedman and Donatienne Ruy — April 27, 2026

AI and the Future of Mediation

As conflicts grow more complex and harder to resolve, AI offers new tools for mediation, but also new risks. This report explores how algorithmic systems can support negotiators without undermining trust, confidentiality, or human judgment.

Report by Yasir Atalan, Benjamin Jensen, and Ian Reynolds — April 27, 2026

The Impossible State

The BTS Homecoming: Does Korea's Soft Power Work?

In this episode, Dr. Victor Cha moderated a discussion with Dr. Jinaeng Choi and Timothy Martin to discuss the recent BTS comeback concert, how Korean culture around the world can impact Korea's soft power, how it may influence global audiences, and more. 

Podcast Episode by Victor Cha, Jinaeng Choi , and Timothy Martin — April 8, 2026

The Impossible State Podcast

How Civil Society Exposes the Human Rights Risks of the Digital Silk Road

Emboldened authoritarian actors are no longer content to repress human rights in their own countries, but feel confident in their ability to share their tactics and technology across borders. Local civil society organizations stand at the front line against these mounting threats.

Commentary by Andrew Friedman — January 27, 2026