The Struggle for Freedom: A Conversation with President George W. Bush and David J. Kramer
Freedom & Democracy
Confronting Authoritarian Regimes
Recognizing that democracy is a global struggle against authoritarian regimes like China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran, and developing policies to counter threats to freedom.
Authoritarian powers in places like Beijing and Moscow erode confidence in democracy and expand their influence. They do this via election interference, cyberattacks, disinformation, illicit financing, and targeting dissidents outside their borders.
China and Russia project influence in Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East, and they align with other authoritarian powers like North Korea. Such alliances pose a serious threat to democracies globally.
Combating authoritarian regimes is most effectively addressed by collaborating with our allies. We stress the need to:
- Reduce corruption that fuels authoritarian governments
- Support democratic activists in closed societies
- Coordinate political and economic pressure on autocrats to isolate them from the global arena
- Recognize that protecting human rights advances national security
Our Team
Read David J. Kramer's biography.
![David J. Kramer]()
David J. Kramer
Executive Director, George W. Bush Institute and Vice President George W. Bush Presidential Center
Read Jessica Ludwig's biography.
![Jessica Ludwig photo.]()
Jessica Ludwig
Director, Global Policy George W. Bush Institute
Read Igor Khrestin 's biography.
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Igor Khrestin
Bradford M. Freeman Managing Director, Global Policy George W. Bush Institute
Read Chris Walsh's biography.
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Chris Walsh
Director, Global Policy George W. Bush Institute
Read William McKenzie's biography.
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William McKenzie
Senior Editorial Advisor George W. Bush Institute
Read Nicole Bibbins Sedaca's biography.
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Nicole Bibbins Sedaca
Kelly and David Pfeil Fellow George W. Bush Institute
Read Victor Cha's biography.
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Victor Cha
Senior Fellow George W. Bush Institute
Read Ellen Bork's biography.
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Ellen Bork
Fellow George W. Bush Institute
Publications
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LATEST
Vladimir and Evgenia Kara-Murza -- Their Struggle for Freedom and Fight for Democracy in Russia
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Bush Institute's Joseph Kim in The Washington Post: There's hope for North Koreans, if America acts
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Two-Minute Take: North Korean troops in Russia reveal Putin's desperation
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We must not forget about the North Korean people
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Ambassador John J. Sullivan -- Lessons Learned as a U.S. Diplomat in Moscow
Hosted by: Andrew Kaufmann, Natalie Gonnella-Platts
The world must not forget Ukrainian children
By: Igor Khrestin