Saferworld’s Warpod episode 11: Can Biden’s democracy strategy survive his counter-terrorism policy?

At the end of last year, US President Joe Biden hosted the virtual Summit for Democracy. It convened more than 100 countries to draw attention to rising authoritarianism. The summit looked at three themes: defending against authoritarianism, addressing and fighting corruption, and advancing respect for human rights.

How well has the summit, and Biden’s democracy strategy more generally, prepared the US and its allies for tackling the most pressing threats to democracy today? And how has the US’ own two-decade fixation on countering-terrorism and violent extremist groups impacted global democracy?

To ask these questions, and many more, we are joined by:

  • Jason S. Calder, Head of Saferworld’s Washington office
  • Derek Mitchel, President of the National Democratic Institute
  • Dr Leslie Vinjamuri, Director, US and the Americas Programme; Dean, Queen Elizabeth II Academy for Leadership in International Affairs at Chatham House

Please note the views and opinions expressed during the podcast are those of the contributors featured. They are not necessarily the views or opinions of Saferworld. This podcast was recorded before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and therefore does not reference the latest developments.

Listen to previous Warpod episodes here.

Read Jason S Calder and Lauren Van Metre's article on the Democracy Summit in Foreign Policy.