The National Democratic Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness and accountability in government.

Source:  Christian Science Monitor Article Link:  Read More Published Date:  03/14/2013 Cole Blockenfeld, director of advocacy at the Project on Middle East Democracy, argues that reforms instituted for Jordan’s Jan. 2013 parliamentary elections were “only minor technical and administrative improvements to the voting process” rather than fundamental reforms that require the monarchy to share power. According to Blockenfeld, who participated in an NDI election observation delegation, too much praise from the U.S.

Source:  The Washington Post Article Link:  Read More Published Date:  03/05/2013 The Washington Post editorial board reflects on the story of Ángel Carromero, who was driving the vehicle in which Cuban dissident Oswaldo Payá was killed. Carromero recalls that the controversial crash was caused by a vehicle with government license plates that hit them from behind. However, Carromero says that after the crash, he was detained and forced to deny the Cuban government’s involvement in the crash. He is now back in his home country of Spain and is speaking out about his experience.