National Democratic Institute | NDI

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News and Views

Commentary from experts on the directions and challenges of democracy assistance programs.


September 12, 2009	In Praise of Election Observers The Guardian The Guardian's editorial page praises the work of NDI and other organizations that act as impartial observers to ensure free and fair elections around the world. "Election monitors may only have the right to watch, encourage and speak the truth, but they have the capacity to strip away the democratic disguise which dictators and autocrats so often try to don." Read More
September 1, 2009	Let Afghans Lead Afghan Reform Project Syndicate Jamie F. Metzl and C. Christine Fair, members of NDI's election observation mission to Afghanistan, urge Afghans to address official corruption and electoral fraud and call upon the Afghan government to reform from within. The authors urge on the international community to press the Afghan government to take steps to strengthen democratic processes and fight corruption. Read More
August 31, 2009	Courageous Afghan Voters Deserve Better From Us The Globe and Mail John Manley, a member of NDI's observation mission to Afghanistan, commends Afghans for their courageous voting in recent elections. He argues that foreign governments, especially the U.S. and Canada, should reward this brave behavior by holding the next Afghan administration to high standards of competence, integrity and transparency. Read More
August 25, 2009	In Afghanistan, the True Meaning of Democracy Denver Post Gary Hart, a member of NDI's observation mission to Afghanistan, learns a powerful lesson about democracy from the Afghans. Despite violence on Election Day, Hart commends the Afghans for their focus on the issues, their high levels of turnout even in the face of violence and their courage to cast their vote to better their future. Read More
July 18, 2009	Teacher, Can We Leave Now? No. The New York Times New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman writes that he is often tempted to give up on Afghanistan until something sparks some hope in him. This time it was his experience at a school for girls in a remote Afghan village in the Hindu Kush mountains. Read More
July 13, 2009	Niger Senses a Threat to Its Scrap of Democracy The New York Times In Niger, one of the world’s poorest countries, barely a decade old in this vast land of about 14 million people, most of it desert, there are many sacrfices made. But democracy does not appear to be something the people of Niger are willing to sacrifice, according to this article from the Washington Post. Read More
July 10, 2009	An Afghan Feminism The Washington Post Washington Post columnist Michael Gerson stresses the importance of women's role in Afghanistan's reconstruction and why America should care. Read More
June 30, 2009	In Morocco, an Alternative to Iran The Washington Post Morocco provides a stark political contrast to Iran, and perhaps a model for the region, writes Washington Post columnist Anne Applebaum. Read More
June 26, 2009	No Choice but Democracy The Washington Post Washington Post columnist Michael Gerson opines that democratic progress in the Middle East proves the fruits of democracy promotion are worth the labor. Read More
June 14, 2009	Winds of Change? The New York Times New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman talks about how his recent visit to Lebanon for the elections has convinced him that change has come to the Middle East. Read More